Contents
- How much water do rabbits drink in a day?
- Rabbit water bowl or crock
- Rabbit water bottle (with nozzles)
- How to keep rabbit water from freezing
- Best rabbit water bottles reviews
- Choco Nose H128 No Drip Guinea Pig Water Bottle Best Small Animal
- RentACoop No Drip Small Animal Water Bottle, BPA Free
- Lixit Wide Mouth BPA-Free Water Bottles 16 Oz.
- Choco Nose H528 Patented No Drip Rabbit Water Bottle
- Poodle Pet Water Feeder Bottle Container Dispenser for Cage or Kennel
- Farm Innovators Model HRB-20 Heated Water Bottle for Rabbits
- MidWest Homes for Pets Animal Water Bottle Ideal for Rabbits
- Living World Eco + Water Bottle
- Lixit Animal Care Rabbit Feeder or Water Fountain 48 oz.
- Lixit All-Weather Rabbit Water Bottle, 64oz
- Other fantastic water bottle and bowls
- Other options
- Where to buy rabbit waterers
How much water do rabbits drink in a day?
Rabbits need water that is about 10% of their body weight. Expect them to take 50 - 100 ml per one kg of their body weight. However, this can vary depending on factors such as diet, health, environmental conditions such as temperature, and so on.
Lactating rabbits may consume more water, those that rely on fresh greens may drink little or none, whereas those that depend on drier foods need more. Unpleasant flavors, dental illnesses, among other reasons may make your bunnies not to drink water.
Insufficient water intake can cause anoxia and reduce food intake. Your vet may use skin testing to determine the level of hydration.
Both domestic and wild rabbits drink water. If your rabbits are drinking too much water, they may be dehydrated while if they are not drinking water, it might be your diet or a symptom of illness.
Since the actual amounts that your bunny needs may vary due to some of the reasons we have seen, you need to ensure it has an unlimited supply of pure, fresh, and clean water.
Water given to bunnies should be cold, not warm or hot. People who stay in warm climates should ensure regular changes to avoid it being hot or warm.
Bunny watering can be achieved by having a rabbit water system, using bowls or crucks or using bottles.
Rabbit water bowl or crock
The first option when it comes to giving your bunny water is the use of a bowl, crook or dish. Always opt for heavy ceramic bowls rather than plastic ones since the plastic ones are lighter and can be tossed around as rabbit toys. Stainless still will also work well.
Furthermore, you can opt for personalized rabbit bowls where they will be decorated and customized to your liking. Here are their pros and cons.
Pros
- They are the most natural way and a better choice for your bunny to drink water.
- Your bunnies are likely to drink more.
- They are suited for indoor, freely roaming bunnies or if you place it in a secluded area away from its bedding, and litter.
- They hardly break during winter if you have an outdoor bunny
Cons
- They get easily soiled with litter, and according to Omlet.co.uk, all “sort of fluff, hay, food debris, and waste get caught in water bowls” as well as feces, unless your rabbit is litter trained.
- They require more cleaning as well as you to be there to refill them regularly.
- The bowls, dishes or crooks may be overturned as the bunnies are hopping around in their cages. You can overcome this problem by going for designs that can be attached to the enclosure such as ProSelect Stainless Steel Coop Cups — Versatile Coop Cups for Pet and Animal Cages.
- If a bunny has a dewlap, it may get wet and possibly cause moist dermatitis.
If you opt for bowls, ensure they can hold a sufficient amount of water as well as not be too high for your bunny as it may be unable to drink from them. The bowl size will depend on your bunny size.
Also, do not place ceramic bowls on a high place since they might break if they fall or let them be fixed on your cage. Finally, keep them clean, and change your water at least twice a day.
Rabbit water bottle (with nozzles)
The second option is going for bottles. If you opt for this choice, choose their sizes by considering your bunnies numbers and drinking habits. Also, increase water during summer and have a backup in case a bottle fails or is knocked down.
There are two kinds of spout bottles, the standard one which The Rabbit House notes that is “composed of a metal tube with several balls inside. Gravity locks the ball at the end of the tube until the rabbit it licks it pushing the ball up and allowing water to fall past.”
Their pros include the fact that they are cheap and readily available. On the downside, they are prone to leaking, and some rabbits find them too difficult to use and they may bite them.
The second type is the one with non-drip sippy spout which is a little more durable, easier to fill and clean since they have a wider top and are less noisy. On the downside, they are more expensive.
Rabbit water bottle holder for attachment
You can use the wire with bent hocks on its end to attach the bottle to the cage or go for a bottled spring which will make pulling it out much easier. If you do not have a wire cage, go for the kind of holders used by cyclists to hold their water to their bicycles.
Note that, different bottles may come with varying means of attachment such as screws and brackets.
When mounting it, you will decide on how high it should be depending on the size of your bunnies.
Cleaning your bottle
Clean your bottles using a brush, sterilize second-hand ones using baby's bottles sterilizing tablets. Also, always check to ensure there are no algae
How to keep rabbit water from freezing
The first way to keep water from freezing is going for good bottle covers (bottle snugs) such as Scratch n Newton Snug. Before buying a cover, ensure you consider your bottle design to be sure it will fit it well.
Also, check to ensure the bottle nozzle regularly to see if it has frozen since this will make it impossible for water to flow out.
Another water bottle freezing trick is going for heated rabbit water bottles and bowls during colder seasons especially winter. They use a thermostat and can regulate its temperatures to ensure it does not freeze.
Best rabbit water bottles reviews
If you are looking for the best bottles for your bunnies and other pets, here are our reviews of the very best brand, including no leak rabbit bottles.
Choco Nose H128 No Drip Guinea Pig Water Bottle Best Small Animal
Choco Nose H128 No Drip is undoubtedly one of the best water bottles for your bunnies, guinea pigs, ferrets, hamsters, and other small pets that is no drip or leak-proof nozzle backed by a U.S. patent. Use the 10mm mini-nozzle for these pets.
The bottle is PBA –free, comes with a screw-on bracket for mounting it to a wire cage, and has a volume of 11.2 oz. (about 330 ml). If you want to clean or refill it, just snap off and snap it back once you are done.
For people with cages with wooden cage, furniture, or wall, use the nail-on bracket to screw it to the specific surface.
Finally, you can switch this bottle with any other standard bottle for pets or soda, as it will fit well to the nozzle.
If you have a hamster, sugar glider, rat, hedgehog, or mouse, the manufacturer recommends the H125 No Drip Small Animal owing to its smaller dimensions of 5.5" x 2" x 2" as opposed to this one that measures 7" x 2.5" x 2.5".
RentACoop No Drip Small Animal Water Bottle, BPA Free
RentACoop NO Drip water bottle is an excellent choice for ferrets, rabbits, hedgehogs, hamsters, chinchillas, rats, guinea pigs, mice, among other small pets. It is chew-proof, including its nozzles, and it will keep the water clean since there isn’t any backflow.
Some features you will like about this brand by RentACoop are how easy it is to refill via its flip-cap cover and easy installation, especially from outside the cage using a sturdy wire bracket and a universal fit spring clip.
Finally, the bottle is made from food-grade BPA-free plastic, making it very safe, you can know the water level easily, and it comes with a two-year warranty.
Lixit Wide Mouth BPA-Free Water Bottles 16 Oz.
Lixit Wide Mouth Water Bottle is a durable, weather-resistant, thick-walled, BPA free polyethylene bottle featuring a stainless steel drinker (noodle) with a double ball-point tube. It doesn’t leak, thanks to the special silicone seal that creates a vacuum.
Furthermore, it is easy to clean as well as refill via its wide mouth. However, considering its capacity of 16 oz. (473 ml)We recommend it for dwarf bunnies, guinea pigs, ferrets, and other small animals that don’t have a very high water requirement.
A common question people would like to know about this bottle is how to mount it. It is easy. To mount it, use the flexible metal wire it comes with to secure it to your cage.
Finally, it is aesthetically charming where you have a choice of buying translucent, skulls, teal bubbles as well as pink or teal polka dots. Most people love it for its value for money, sturdiness, and how easy it is to clean.
If you need a larger one, buy the Lixit 32oz Wide Mouth Water Bottles for Rabbits, Ferrets, and Other Small Animals. It will be ideal for even larger rabbits as well as gerbils, ferrets, guinea pigs, mice, rats, among other small pets.
Choco Nose H528 Patented No Drip Rabbit Water Bottle
This is another excellent brand from Choco Nose ideal for rabbits, Chinchillas, as well as toy dog breeds and puppies weighing between 8-17 pounds.
Unlike Choco Nose H128, it has a larger nozzle measuring 13mm, and its dimensions are 9" x 3" x 3", making it not ideal for hamsters, ferrets, hedgehog, guinea pigs, mice or rats.
All other features are similar to those of the Choco Nose H128, including the U.S Patented Leak-Proof nozzle or No Drip, screw, and bracket for mounting it, PBA free plastic, and so on. Everyone loves it because it doesn’t leak.
Alternatively, you can buy the Choco Nose H590 Patented No Drip Dog Water Bottle if you have large bunnies, cats, and medium dogs weighing 15-30 pounds.
Poodle Pet Water Feeder Bottle Container Dispenser for Cage or Kennel
Poodle Pet Water Feeder Bottle is a gravity hydration fountain that features a spigot spout perfect for you for your rabbits, hamsters, dog, cats, and other small animals.
Some key features of this bottle feeder include being easy to install using its turning wheel fixer, high quality, and 100% safe material used in making it and the non-drip feature. It will only drip if your pet taps its tip.
Furthermore, it is eco-friendly, and you can use your own bottle. Don’t worry about refilling it as it is quite easy (unscrew, refill and screw it back).
If you are a traveler, Poodle has a great travel water portable water dispenser with a bottle and a tray attached to it. It is easy to use and carry around.
Farm Innovators Model HRB-20 Heated Water Bottle for Rabbits
Unlike others, this is a 30 ounce heated water bowls and bottle that is thermostatically controlled ideal for people who experience sub-zero temperatures, which will make ordinary water bowls and bottles to freeze. You can use it for your rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, and small rodents.
Don’t worry about power consumption as it is very efficient, with a power rating of only 20 watts. Furthermore, it is effortless to refill and mount. Mount it from the outside of your cage using the attachment clips sold with it.
MidWest Homes for Pets Animal Water Bottle Ideal for Rabbits
MidWest Homes for Pets Animal have small (for hamsters), medium (for guinea pigs), and a large 20.82 oz. (615 ml.) water bottle ideal for rabbits and chinchillas. It is compatible with any MidWest cages, including the famous Midwest Homes for Pets Wabbitat Deluxe Rabbit Home Kit as well as playpens.
MidWest Homes for Pets Animal bottle has a stainless-steel sipper (sipping sprout), is made from BPA free plastic, and comes with suction cups for mounting on glass cages. Furthermore, it is to fill (lift the top cap and add more water), comes with attachment screws friendly with plastics, and has a one year warranty.
Living World Eco + Water Bottle
If you prefer a glass bottle, Living World Eco made from safe, recyclable glass will be a good choice. It is easy to refill, doesn’t drip, has an indicator for water level, and it is straightforward to mount or install. Furthermore, it has a spring attachment and hanger for securing it.
Depending on the amount of water your pets need, you can buy the 12 (354 ml) or 24 (769 ml) ounces. A larger one will take longer before you refill it.
A good alternative of this brand is the Lixit Chew Proof Flat Back Glass Bottles that is assembled in the USA by adults who have disabilities
Lixit Animal Care Rabbit Feeder or Water Fountain 48 oz.
The 48 oz. (1.42 liters) Lixit Animal Care Rabbit Feeder or Water Fountain is an innovative must-have if you are looking for a large waterer and feeder combo for your rabbits, chinchillas, sugar gliders, guinea pigs and other small pets. To either uses it as a waterer or feeder, just unscrew it flip its base upside down and screw it back. One side works as a gravity feeder while another forms a water fountain.
Its wide mouth makes cleaning very easy, will provide clean food or water without any mess around it.
Lixit All-Weather Rabbit Water Bottle, 64oz
This brand Lixit is a durable and weather-resistant tough plastic bottle suitable for both indoor and outdoor rabbits, guinea pigs, and ferret cages. It is free of BPA and very durable.
The ball bearing will ensure it doesn’t drip unless there is no vacuum created. However, many people not that it leaks a lot.
Other fantastic water bottle and bowls
Besides the above top brands, some other notable ones the following:
- COCOPET Dripless Pet Drinking Fountains No Drip
- Ferplast Small Animal Water Bottle Ideal for Hamsters, Mice, Guinea Pigs & Rabbits
- Flammi Pet Water Bottle Hanging No Drip Chew Proof 450ml/15oz for Puppy Cat Rabbit Small Animals, Automatically Feeding Water (Green)
- Kaytee Small Animal Clear Water Bottle, Single
- NACOCO Pet Drinking Fountains Dog Water Dispenser Dog Kettle Cat Bottle with Automatically Feeding Water
- Lixit Top Fill Lever Style No Drip
- SunGrow No Drip Pet Dispenser Bottle, with Stainless Steel Sucker
- Kordon/Oasis (Novalek) SOA80800 Rabbit Water Bottle, 32-Ounce, Clear
From the above discussion, we did not look at the best water bowls since they also roundup as feeding bowls. We intend to have a separate post to look at them in detail.
Before buying any brand, read other expert and user reviews, see how they are rated before buying them. Furthermore,if you do not want to be buying these bottles, consider learning how to make rabbit water bottles at home using the various video tutorials available online.
Other options
Besides bottles and bowls, if you are a busy parent, you can go for Petmate Replendish Gravity Waterer w/ Microban or PetSafe Healthy Pet Gravity is a better solution as it will dispense water continuously for a long time since they have larger capacities.
Also, an automated watering system will help if you have many bunnies and you want to ensure constant flow.
Where to buy rabbit waterers
There are many places you can get some of the good bottles and crocks including at your local pet store.
Also, check places such as Walmart, Amazon.com, Petsmart.com, Chewy.com, Petco.com among other places. Buying your rabbit water bottles in bulk may be cost-effective.
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