How to install a water bowl for a hamster so that it does not drip

What drinking bowls are there for rodents: pros and cons

The devices are manufactured in different configurations. The materials from which the products are made also differ from each other.

Nipple

This option is the most commonly used and convenient. The design is a small flask to which a tube is attached. There is a nipple inserted inside - a special ball on a spring. The product is attached to the bars of the cage. In order for the water to flow, the animal must press the ball with its tongue. The structure begins to move, and the liquid gradually enters the mouth.

The advantages of this accessory:

• small size, so the device does not take up much space in the cage;
• ease of operation;
• safety for the animal;
• plaque and rust do not enter the animal’s mouth along with water.

A nipple drinker is a small flask with a tube.

The main disadvantage is that it is difficult to train a hamster to press on the ball. Therefore, animals often do not understand how to drink from a nipple device.

One piece bottle

This design is a one-piece small-volume bottle with a hole in the lid into which a straw is inserted. This device is simple and easy to use.

The advantages of such equipment:

• the water is clean;
• the design is easy to clean;
• dirt does not get inside.

The disadvantage is that the animal is not always able to figure out how to use the drinking bowl.

Cropped

This design is similar to the previous one, only the top of the bottle is cut off. The advantage of the device is the easy process of changing water. An obvious drawback is that dust and dirt get inside the container.

A cut plastic bottle can be used as a drinking bowl.

Floor drinking bowls

Floor equipment is a bowl that is placed at the bottom of the cage. The hamster has constant access to water. The main disadvantage of this product is severe contamination of the liquid during the day. Sawdust and dust get into the water.

Drinking bowl with pocket

The device consists of a container with water and a lid with a pocket spout. The animal drinks water that accumulates below.

• water does not spill to the bottom of the cage;
• hygiene;
• ease of use.

The main disadvantage is that the water in the pocket becomes dirty during the day. Hamsters are quite active animals, so dust, shavings and sawdust can fly throughout the cage when the animal runs or plays.

Vacuum drinker

A vacuum drinker is similar to a bird feeder. The container is placed in a deep bowl. Water comes in gradually in small portions. The operating principle of such a drinking bowl is based on Archimedes' law. The advantage is ease of use. The disadvantage of the device is the material of the reservoir. Hamsters often chew through the thin plastic the bottle is made of.

The vacuum drinker is easy to use.

Automatic drinkers

The drinking bowl is made of plastic or glass and is installed outside the cage. A tube is connected to the container. According to the principle of operation, the device is similar to a country washstand (without a tap): the animal must press the tube so that water flows. The disadvantages of such a system is the need to teach the hamster to use the system. In addition, a manufacturing defect of the device cannot be ruled out.

Making simple tunnels

A hamster cage must contain at least one small tunnel. And for games outside the home, complex structures of medium and large size are suitable. You can make a permanent entertainment room for your furry friend or build the attraction anew each time, changing its size and direction of moves.

Children are showing great interest in creating entertainment for hamsters. We invite you to study the instructions for creating simple tunnels that even a schoolchild will understand.

Paper tube for cage

The simplest option is to use a cardboard paper towel tube as a building material. You can put it in the cage unchanged or make windows in the tube so that the animal can come out through them.

The sleeve tube can also be installed in external cardboard labyrinths.

Game room

Do your kids love to play with and watch hamsters? Then give them an idea: make a tunnel for a hamster from an unnecessary cardboard box. The kids will happily get down to business, use their creative imagination and create an attraction with love.

There are a lot of construction options. We will tell you how to make a hamster maze in two different ways.

• The first method does not involve the use of glue. Take a box and pieces of cardboard: 3 strips should correspond in size to the length of the room, 5 to the width. On long pieces, make 5 cuts at equal distances from each other, and cut short pieces three times. Between the cuts, cut out doors, windows and holes for pipes. Now we can assemble our room. Install long partitions with the cuts up, and insert short parts into them with the cut down. You will get a lattice. If you have pipes planned, insert them into the round cutouts. Place the grid in the box and you can start playing right away!
• The second method is based on gluing the walls. It is good because you can create a variety of branches, as well as a rest room for a small creature. To glue the walls, use regular or construction tape.

Labyrinth from a construction set

Preschoolers and schoolchildren love to build various castles and fortresses from construction sets. Invite them to make an attraction for a hamster - they will happily complete this task. Moreover, children themselves know how to make a labyrinth for a hamster from Lego constructors interesting and convenient.

If you are building a walker for a dzhungarik, small parts are better suited. For the larger Syrian breed, use medium sized pieces. Using a small construction set inside the maze, you can build a small obstacle course for the animal, at the end of which you can place a tasty nut.

Book fortress

Old hardcover books are suitable for creating a large, spacious tunnel. To do this, they need to be placed with their roots facing up. It is better to completely enclose the space with books so that the hamsters do not run away in different directions. For one animal, the width of the passage can be 5-8 cm (so that the animal can easily turn around in it), but if you have several fluffies, the tunnels should be more spacious.

In such a book fortress, kids really love to have hamster races. Rodents are placed in a common closed room, after which they open the “door” and watch which of the animals gets to the exit first

At the same time, it is important to ensure that race participants do not violate the rules. If a cunning hamster climbs over the wall, he must be brought back

A maze made from books can also be used to train animals. To do this, you need to place small pieces of tasty food along the chosen path, and repeat the operation several times with the same route. Then you should place the treat only at the exit. You will be surprised how quickly your smart hamster will find it!

Tunnel made of plumbing parts

If your apartment has recently been renovated and you still have unnecessary parts for connecting pipes, use them to create a branched labyrinth! This attraction is suitable for both small Djungarian and larger Syrian and Caucasian hamsters. By the way, the tunnel made from plumbing looks very original. Another advantage is the collapsible design of the attraction, which means you can periodically change the direction of the moves.

Making it is very simple: connect the parts in any direction. It will be more interesting for the hamster to play if there are several exits in the pipe. But in this case, do not leave the home unattended, otherwise you will have to look for it throughout the apartment!

Instructions for training a hamster to drink

There are 3 common ways to accustom a hamster to a drinking bowl:

1. Buy a cage immediately with a drinking device. Then the animal will gradually explore its new home and will definitely pay attention to the water supply.
2. If the drinking bowl was purchased separately to replace an old one and the animal cannot master the device on its own, it needs help. To do this, you need to carefully poke the hamster’s nose into the tube with water several times so that he understands the mechanism of action.
3. Coat the tip of the reservoir with aromatic food. The smell will attract the animal, it will want to lick the tube, and thus it will start the water supply mechanism.

The tip of the drinking bowl is coated with aromatic food.

Alternative to a sippy cup

If it is not possible to satisfy the animal’s needs (moving, the sippy cup is not ready, etc.), then how can you feed a hamster without a drinking bowl? Water can be replaced with succulent food, vegetables and fruits that contain a lot of moisture . Cucumbers, which are very loved by hamsters, cope well with this task.

The drinking bowl must first of all satisfy the rodent's need for fresh drinking water, and its aesthetic function is a secondary matter. The main thing is to regularly maintain cleanliness and ensure that the drinking bowl is full .

Why does a hamster refuse to drink from a water bowl?

If an animal has just arrived in a new place, it may experience stress. In this case, the pet refuses water and food for several days, this is normal. It is best not to touch the animal for several days so that it gets used to it. If your hamster suddenly stops drinking from an existing water bowl, this may be a signal from the body indicating that the pet is not feeling well. We need to show him to the doctor.

If the drinking bowl is new, it may have an unpleasant odor for the animal. Then you should thoroughly rinse the device. You also need to take into account that some pets drink mainly at night, so it is better to check the water level in the morning. For clarity, you can make marks with a marker.

Why does a ferret need a hammock?

Beginning ferret breeders are often surprised to learn that their pet needs a hammock, and not an ordinary bed, for a comfortable existence and sweet sleep.

Animals can sleep in boxes, on pillows, in their house, and even crawling into a warm sock or felt boot, but only a hammock allows a ferret to feel completely safe. This is due to the fact that wild relatives of domesticated ferrets always choose secluded dark places to sleep - under a stump, in dense bushes, or dig holes. Soft earth or grass perfectly takes the shape of the animal’s body, and it feels protected both from enemies and from bad weather.

Domestic ferrets living in an apartment do not have the opportunity to dig a hole for themselves, and the presence of a sleeping place, the same as dry leaves or grass, makes the pet happy - he sleeps well, so he plays and “hunts” with great pleasure.

How to make a water bowl for a hamster with your own hands

If the water tank is broken or you want to update it, you can make the device yourself. The design is quite simple and production will not take much time.

What materials and tools may be needed

Most materials and tools are available in every apartment, so you don’t even have to go to the store to get them.

You may need plastic drinking straws.

List of what may be needed at home:

• container (bottle, vial);
• plastic straw for drinks;
• metal ball;
• fountain pen;
• wire or rope;
• wooden wedge;
• glue;
• knife;
• milk, nails, awl;
• marker, ballpoint pen.

All items that will make up the drinking bowl body must be thoroughly washed and dried.

Nipple from a fountain pen

To create this drinking bowl you will need a plastic bottle, a pen and a ball.

How to make a drinking bowl for hamsters with your own hands::

1. Place the ball in the pen so that it falls freely to the narrow side of the pen. It is better to keep the body vertical.
2. Mark the place where the ball is stuck with a marker. Cut the handle along this border. The ball should stick out a little.
3. Place the spring so that it presses on the metal element. Secure the structure with a wooden wedge. The ball should be easy to press.
4. Make a hole in the bottle the same diameter as the handle.
5. Connect the water container to the tube, wrap the joint with adhesive tape or seal it.

A nipple drinker is made from a fountain pen.
Next, you need to hang the device at a height convenient for the hamster.

From a plastic bottle with a straw

This design is even simpler than the previous one.

1. Use a nail or awl to make a hole in the bottle cap.
2. Cut off half the straw.
3. Insert the part of the tube where the corrugation is located into the hole. Moreover, the bent half should remain outside.
4. Wrap the connection point with electrical tape.
5. Screw the lid of the bottle, hang the structure with the straw down so that the animal can reach it.

From a baby bottle

To create the design you will need a baby bottle and a small piece of hose. Make a hole in the lid that covers the container. Next, insert the hose into it, turn it over and hang it. The main thing is to make sure that water does not drip when the device is in an upright position.

You can use a baby bottle to create a drinking bowl.

From a cut bottle

This option is similar to the design, which consists of a single bottle. The difference is that the top third, where the bottom is, needs to be cut off. You will get an open tank, which will only need to be hung.

The convenience of this design is that you can simply pour water from above and not remove the drinker each time.

Making a flat drinker

To build such a structure, you will need a plastic bottle and straws (the number of the latter depends on how many pets live in the cage).

1. Turn the bottle horizontally, make a marking in the form of a rectangle.
2. Cut out the excess part.
3. Make a hole on the side.
4. Insert the tube. The bend with corrugation should remain outside.
5. Secure the sippy cup in the cage and fill it with water.

The disadvantage of this design is that the hamster can cut itself on the sharp edges of the bottle.

How to teach a hamster to drink on its own

If you choose a rodent not from a pet store, but pick it up from friends or acquaintances, it may be too small. The baby will require special care, because the animal can die of thirst. In this case, the responsibility falls on your shoulders to teach him to drink. It is permissible to feed tiny fluffies from a pipette or syringe without a needle, but this option should not take root for long. It is best to train your furry animal to drink on its own, so you can avoid unnecessary problems.

It is not difficult to teach a hamster to drink from a sippy cup, even if he sees it for the first time.

• The animal needs to explore the bottle on its own. Let him examine it carefully.
• Touch the bowl ball with your finger and lubricate the rodent's nose with a drop of water.
• Now touch his nose to the ball.
• These steps must be repeated until the furry animal begins to drink on its own.

From now on, you know exactly what you need to pay attention to when buying a drinking bowl, and you will definitely be able to teach your hamster to drink from it. Good luck finding the best sippy cup for your pet!

Types of drinking bowls: advantages, disadvantages, features

Nipple

The most convenient and common option. This is a small container equipped with a straw. There is a nipple installed inside the tube - a special ball on a spring. The structure is suspended from the bars of the cage. When the animal is thirsty, it approaches the drinking bowl and presses the ball with its tongue. The nipple is triggered and a small portion of liquid enters the mouth.

• nipple sippy cup saves space in the cage;
• it is easy to use;
• safe for the hamster;
• Only clean water comes from the container, without plaque or rust.

It is difficult to train a hamster to be independent, especially to press the ball. The main drawback appears - not every animal will like a nipple drinker.

From a whole bottle

A simple and economical version of a drinking bowl for a hamster. The design consists of a plastic or glass bottle and a straw for juice. The device is suspended inside the cage, or on the back side. The animal has access to fresh and clean water at any time.

• production does not require special skills and knowledge;
• the bottle is easy to wash and clean;
• dust and dirt do not get into the container;
• The animal is healthy and feels great.

As in the previous form, there is a key drawback - the hamster must learn to use such a drinker.

From a cut bottle

This type of drinker involves trimming the bottom of the bottle. The structure is suspended from the cage bars from the reverse side. The tube is inserted between the rods inside the house. The device operates on the principle of drinking from a single bottle.

• simple production requiring a minimum amount of materials;
• water is easy to change;
• the animal will not be injured by the cut edges of the bottle.

The disadvantages are that it is difficult to train the rodent, and the device is not hygienic. Dust and particles of room cleaning substances will enter the liquid. There is a risk of pet poisoning.

Sippy cup from a pet store

Purchased containers will last much longer, unlike homemade ones. The cost of nipple sippy cups ranges from 100 to 250 rubles. Automatic accessories are more expensive - from 250 to 700 rubles. There are branded models whose price is more than 1,000 rubles.

A significant disadvantage of a sippy cup from a pet store is that it is defective. Every third person buys a low-quality product. An additional disadvantage of purchased products is the refusal of sellers to accept the goods back. For example, if the sippy cup is damaged or does not fit in size.

Important! Before purchasing a sippy cup, the integrity or performance of the sippy cup is carefully inspected. For example, with nipple or automatic accessories, water supply mechanisms often refuse to function. The body must not have chips or cracks.

Floor drinking bowls

Place in a cage on the floor or stand. The drinking bowls look like a deep, heavy bowl. The hamster gets 24/7 access to water. The bowl is easy to wash and the water can be changed quickly.

The main disadvantages of the floor product are instability and constant water pollution. The person spends a lot of time cleaning the cage, and the hamster drank only fresh water that was safe for the body.

Drinking bowl with pocket

This design consists of a water container and a lid with a pocket spout. The hamster drinks only water that accumulates in its pocket. The water supply in the tank always remains clean. A drinking bowl is installed in the cage. Has the following advantages:

• hygienic;
• easy to use;
• reliable and durable;
• It is difficult for a hamster to spill water from the drinking bowl.

The disadvantage of a drinking bowl is that the liquid in the pocket gets quickly contaminated. Rodents throw sawdust into the drinking container during active play. If you do not clean the spout in a timely manner, the animal will be left without anything to drink.

Vacuum drinking bowl for hamster

Installed in a cage. Looks like a bird's cup. The container is placed in a deep bowl. Water comes in small portions. Hamsters quickly get used to the design due to its ease of use. The accessible drinking part rarely becomes dirty.

The disadvantage of a vacuum drinker is the material used. Animals easily chew through soft plastic.

Automatic sippy cups

They are divided into two types - ball and nipple. Flasks are made of plastic or glass. There is a tube at the end of the container. The drinking bowl is attached to the outside of the cage and works on the principle of a washstand. The design is disassembled and easy to clean.

The main disadvantages of an automatic device are defects and the need to teach the hamster to use the spout.

Why doesn't my hamster drink from the water bowl?

Each hamster's body has its own characteristics. If an animal finds itself in a new place, it becomes stressed. It is recommended to leave your pet alone for several days. Some animals are active in the dark and drink at night. It is better for the owner to see in the morning how much the water level has changed.

Attention! Often the pet refuses to drink due to illness or illness. You should immediately contact your veterinarian.

Actions to take if your pet is in an unnatural condition

Sometimes hamster owners notice strange behavior in their pets. These include frequent and heavy drinking, refusal of food and water, and other symptoms. If there is no improvement in the animal’s condition within two days, you should consult a veterinarian.

Doesn't drink or eat

In severe illnesses, the rodent refuses to eat and drink, which leads to exhaustion and dehydration. To avoid this, it is important for the hamster owner to know what to do if the animal does not drink water from the drinking bowl and does not eat. In this situation, you often have to force-feed your pet using a pipette or an insulin syringe without a needle. It is necessary to pour water into the animal’s mouth in small portions that the rodent can easily and quickly swallow. You can't put your hamster on its back.

Drinks a lot

The reason for increased thirst is the lack of succulent food in the animal’s diet. It is worth reviewing your pet’s diet and including more fresh fruits and vegetables. If after this the situation has not changed and the animal still drinks a lot, this is a sign of illness. One such disease is diabetes, which is common in dwarf hamsters.

The automatic drinking bowl will help the animal quench its thirst without difficulty. It is worth spending a few days teaching your hamster to drink from a water bowl. There is no need to worry if your rodent doesn't drink enough. A good appetite and active pet will make it clear that there is no reason to worry.

How to make a water bowl for a hamster with your own hands - step-by-step instructions

Materials and tools for making drinking bowls

It’s easy to make a drinking bowl yourself from scrap materials. The following tools and cheap raw materials can be found in every home:

• knife or hacksaw for metal;
• awl, hammer and nails;
• marker, ballpoint pen;
• plastic bottle 0.5 l;
• a metal ball from a bearing, the diameter of which does not exceed the size of the handle body;
• spring from automatic handle;
• rope or wire;
• electrical tape, super glue.

Attention! Disinfect the elements of the future structure. Then rinse under running warm water and dry well.

Nipple drinker made from a fountain pen

Made from a solid plastic bottle, a ballpoint pen body, and a metal ball. Instructions:

• place the ball in the handle, holding it in a vertical position. The element should freely descend to the narrow side of the body;
• mark the place where the ball is stuck. Cut off this part so that the element peeks out a little;
• Lightly press the ball with a spring and secure it with a lollipop stick or a wooden wedge. The metal button should be easy to press;
• make a hole in the bottle for the finished tube;
• Place the dispenser into the hole. Seal the connection or wrap it with electrical tape.

The drinking bowl is ready. All that remains is to hang the product with the tube down at such a height that the hamster can easily reach it.

From a whole plastic bottle with a straw

• make a hole in the bottle cap with an awl or nail;
• cut off half the straw;
• insert the tube into the hole in the lid so that the bend and corrugation remain outside;
• cover with glue or wrap with electrical tape the place where the straw and the lid are fixed.

The drinking bowl is ready. All that remains is to screw the cap on the bottle. Hang the structure and secure it to the cage with the straw down.

How to make a water bowl for a hamster with your own hands - video

Assembly from a baby bottle

You will need a lid for the container and a small piece of hose. Take the lid and punch a hole in it. Insert the hose. Fill the bottle with water and screw on the cap. The main thing is to make sure that the liquid does not drip in a vertical position.

Making a flat drinker

This sippy cup is equipped with one or more straws, depending on the number of pets living in one cage. Manufacturing stages:

• make markings in the shape of a rectangle. The bottle must be in a horizontal position;
• cut out the excess part;
• make holes on the side;
• insert the tubes into the holes so that the bend and corrugation are on the outside.

The sippy cup is ready. All that remains is to fill the container with water through the rectangular top and secure it to the cage.

How to install (attach) a water bowl for a hamster in a cage?

Double-sided hooks, office clips, and stands made of a thick plastic cup will help secure the water container. It is important to make sure that the drinking bowl is securely hung or installed, and that the straw is easy for the hamster to reach.

Don't be afraid to set up your rodent's cage yourself

As you can see, making a drinking bowl is not difficult; you don’t need any special tools or skills to do the job. Don't stop there - create other items the animal needs. For example, you can make a wide variety of toys for your hamster with your own hands: hanging bridges made of wood, dolls made of fabric, halves of walnut shells strung on a rope to grind down the claws and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Don’t be afraid to show your own imagination and get creative, creating things that will decorate your hamster’s life and allow you to take care of the animal.