how to teach them to use a water bottle?

[pooky]

how should i teach my gerbils to use there water bottle? i just got a new one, and im not sure if my gerbils know how to use it

[callimico]

lol, I used to worry about that too. They always figured it out though, even though I didn't see them drink from it. If your worried you could put a few drops of water on the outside of waterbottle so they'll see the drips right away. If they're thirsty they'll probably come over and lick them off, or touch the nozzle so a little water is hanging out (but doesn't fall), if they run near it they'll get a little wet and figure out it's a water source..
But the gerbs'll drink from the waterbottle w/out a problem in their own sweet time. ;D

[pooky]

ok thanks

[sweetie]

Great question!! I was wondering how the pups are going to learn how to use it. I figured that the parents would show them but was unsure!!

[callimico]

Have you seen them drinking yet?

[lizzy]

they would already know how to use a regular water bottle if they hadn't been seperated from their mother too early, as she teaches them.

however if it's a different type of water bottle with a different spout etc, you might have to show them for instance, i didn't realise that 3 of mine didn't know how to use a less-than-regular water bottle that i'd bought, so they went without water for three days i realised that they didn't know how to use it, and ended up picking up each one and the water bottle and putting it near/in their mouth until they realised

[pooky]

i havent seen him use it but the water level seems to be going down, so maybe he found out but i might try that idea of putting it in there mouth untll the find out how it works

[Ritzie/Admin]

Lizzy, not everyone will use a waterbottle, some have bowls. I have tanks with water bottles and tanks with water bowls.

Gerbils are curious and will try everything out and copy from other group members. That is how they learn. For example the start to chew on the bottle and discover that water is coming out of it! And showing them the drop of water helps too as Callimico posted. Normally the will figure it out very fast.

[pooky]

good news! i just saw him drinking (i think. at least, he was sort of chewing on the end of the spout, and i think that was drinking) and hes also learned how to use the new wheel i bought him.

thanks everybody for your input. some of your ideas worked i think