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Post by suds on Jul 20, 2008 17:43:34 GMT -5
I was reading the thread about Bi odor and noticed allot of people seem to use water bottles. Is water bottles bad for there teeth?
They have to bite and push the ball up with there toung and seems like allot of work to get a little water . Just corious on others thoughts about it.
BTW I use a bowl that locks to the cage and also have a big old glass ashtray full of fresh water in the bottom of the cage it took up a corner and helped with litter training .
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Post by weloveourweasels on Jul 20, 2008 17:50:53 GMT -5
Mine hate water bottles. But I noticed when I first started feeding Mr. Bean raw he would stash some pieces in his water bowl which was very icky to me. I don't know about it being bad for their teeth but I have read that ferrets prefer water bowls since they don't have to work as hard to get a drink since they only get drops of water from bottles. Plus most bottles are plastic except one I have seen and plastic isn't good for anyone to use to eat or drink from.
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Post by buzzonesbirdie on Jul 20, 2008 20:47:11 GMT -5
i use the crocks that attach to the cage too--some of mine had problems drinking from the water bottles and were getting dehydrated.
once i switched to the crocks they started drinking more and i have had no problems with dehydration since
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Post by Heather on Jul 20, 2008 22:58:55 GMT -5
I use parrot bowls that attach to the cages for them at night but during the day (when they have the roam of the whole house) they have the largest stainless steel dog bowls set in x-large litter pans (very clean, new litter pans  ) The reason for the litter pans is that between a new puppy and ferrets that like to play in these beautiful stainless steel swimming pools  , I have to keep some of this water contained I don't even use bottles in the travelling cages anymore as I find they don't seem to be able to get enough water and they're really messy. The bowls are much more convenient and wash up wonderfully in the dishwasher so much more sanitary. Just my way of dealing with the water situation with my guys. ciao |
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Post by moddedmama on Jul 21, 2008 9:41:37 GMT -5
I use one of those big heavy ceramic crocks. I had a water bottle when I first got the boys, but they couldn't seem to get enough water out of it, they were constantly at it. So not only were they not getting enough to drink, but constantly annoying me with the clicky noises trying to. I much prefer a bowl, and so do my ferrets.
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Post by molson901 on Jul 21, 2008 11:04:33 GMT -5
i guess since molson has been using a water bottle since i got him he got used to it cause hes not dehydrated or anything. he just drinks a lil bit at a time but many times a day.i dont think its bad for his teeth (IMO) he rarely ever bites on it,just sometimes hell like grab it w. his back teeth.
i couldnt use any type of bowls cause he always finds a way to jump in it, which he does w. anything containing water lol. the only problem i have w. a water bottle and the BI Odor is that the products leaves a residue on the bottle and its REALLY hard to clean. i have to put it in the dish washer and even then...my mom suggesting getting a baby bottle cleaning brush..i havent tried it yet but maybe itll work
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Post by Heather on Jul 21, 2008 13:29:30 GMT -5
Just curious....why use biodor in the first place? I honestly can't see how adding some chemicals to the water is going to improve the smell. I may be wrong but if you're switching to a more natural and healthier lifestyle for your fuzzies, I would be dispensing with the water chemicals too.  Anyway, water bowls are for swimming in aren't they??  If you dispense with the chemicals then your water containers will be easier to clean....if it leaves a residue in the bottles what's it leaving in your furbaby??!! Just some things to consider  ciao |
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Post by molson901 on Jul 21, 2008 16:26:03 GMT -5
ive been using that stuff since i got molson and it problyt leaves a residue in the bottle cause it stays in it longer than the bottle long then it stays in the ferret lol. i do notice a difference in the smell though,maybe its in myhead but there is a slight diff. according to the conditions my parents made in order for me to keep molson he has to smell the least possible lol
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Post by weloveourweasels on Jul 21, 2008 20:12:24 GMT -5
ive been using that stuff since i got molson and it problyt leaves a residue in the bottle cause it stays in it longer than the bottle long then it stays in the ferret lol. i do notice a difference in the smell though,maybe its in myhead but there is a slight diff. according to the conditions my parents made in order for me to keep molson he has to smell the least possible lol Just like I said in the thoughts on bi-odor thread my 2 girls and Mr. bean are still on kibble. Mr. Bean gets raw treat snacks or a raw meal every other day. You really cannot tell I have ferrets when you are in my house or even in the same room as them. I make sure I clean the cage once a week with non-toxic cleaner, Wash the bedding with natural laundry detergent and softner and I clean the litter boxes with baking soda on the same day. I vaccume as well on this day. I thought about using Bi-oder when I first got them because it claims to be all natural but it isn't it has preservatives in it. |
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Post by josiesmom on Jul 22, 2008 13:51:49 GMT -5
I use either a ceramic crock or the Petmate fountain. I'd prefer to use the fountain all the time, but Roman and Windy get into cycles when they just HAVE to empty the fountain! When they start emptying the fountain I put it up.
Funny thing is they don't try to empty the crock!
Even my mice colonies seem to like drinking from bowls instead of bottles. Although the mice will push things they want to discard into the water dishes - guess they know it will get trashed that way!
I think the animals just can get more to drink from the dish than from the bottle spout. Probably tastes better from a ceramic crock too as opposed to the plastic water bottle.
I do have one large bottle in the large mouse container and I add a few drops of vanilla to that bottle to help reduce the mouse odor. Seems to work o.k. too.
Cheers,
Kim
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Post by aleronferrets on Jul 23, 2008 0:47:33 GMT -5
Some people like to offer both. Bottles are IME easier for cage use. Ferrets generally seem to like bowls better though. No matter which you go with, stay away from using plastic for your pet's food or water.
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Post by pear2apple on Jul 23, 2008 22:07:47 GMT -5
I tried 2 types of water bottles with Apple, one came with the cage and one came with him. They BOTH leaked! I came home one day to all the water covering a level of the cage. So that was enough of that, I grabbed a large soup bowl that I already own and I use that for his water. Its still kinda tipable, so I use twisty-ties to keep it in a corner. Works great.
Plus Apple, and now Kiwi love to snorkle in their bowl! Also Apple "scoops" out his water and splashes it all over himself. Doesn't bother me any, I think its a way for him to cool himself down.
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Post by charmantpapillon on Jul 24, 2008 11:43:03 GMT -5
I have a bottle in the cage but since Beasts door is always open if he cant get enough from thebottle he always has the option of using his water bowl. he likes to go swimming in it so water is changed daily in the kirgis household. (his swim time is almost always after i dip in the dirt pool silly ferrets)
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