Water Bottle or Bowl?

[Thea]

I'd be interested to hear which people use for their gerbils, and why.

I've always used a bottle, but I'm thinking about giving my girl's the option on a bowl, too. I've heard they're easier to drink from, therefore encouraging them to drink more.

[barryozzy]

I use bottles. They're plastic with a metal cover.

[wonderz]

Eventually I’d like to switch to a bowl as well. I saw a video that said using a bowl is more natural for hamsters, so I’m assuming the same for gerbils. If you do decide on a bowl, there’s a niteangel one that has a little mountain in the middle so your gerbils won’t climb in it. You can find it on Amazon. I also feel like it would be easier to clean than a bottle.

[yeti218]

The water bottle is easier for me because the gerbils always kick bedding into a bowl and it absorbs all the water.

That said, I do give them a bowl of water as well sometimes. If I'm going out of town for a night, I worry if their water bottle malfunctions and they dont have access to water, so I leave a bowl as well because I always like my animals to have back up water sources. They actually always have 2 water bottles because theyve been known to bury them, and like I said, water bottles sometimes malfunction. But I also leave the bonus water dish sometimes.

I use a small dish and put a few rocks in it so they cant knock it over.

[stellamaris]

I use both. They're both in the topper, so they stay available. While "at home", Scooby seems to prefer the bottle. During floor time, I put his water bowl (candle holder) on the floor, and he always takes time for a long drink.

[Thea]

Thanks all, very interesting

wonderz - I heard that it's more natural too, although considering how many people use a bottle it seems they're fine too.

I have actually starting giving them the option of a bowl for the past 3 days, although they haven't had a drink from it yet from what I can see.
Anyone who uses a bowl, does it take a while for them to adjust and start using it?

[Markpd]

I use bottles, bowls are more natural, but unless you have a topper (with it's separate floor) then it's far too easy for the bowl to be contaminated.
My boys don't seem to have any problems drinking from a bottle per se, but like some others, I did have the odd problem of water delivery with a water bottle early on, strangely it hasn't been a problem since.

[Thea]

Thanks

True. So far using a bowl, even though it's only been three days, they haven't kicked any bedding in whatsoever as I have put it in their sand area which is divided off from the bedding - so I guess it is possible without a topper, although you need to have the right setting.

Neither do my girls, they're fine with a bottle Good to hear that everyone's gerbils are fine with a bottle. I have heard that plastic bottles have less of the problem of water not coming out, I've only had that situation once and I use a plastic bottle - although of course if I ever had a gerbil who did chew the plastic I'd get glass.