Waterer for rodents: fresh water, kept clean and drip free

Waterer: clean water around the clock

Water has to be available to your animals at all times. A waterer keeps it free of bedding, food remains and droppings, which makes it the more hygienic solution compared with an open bowl. You will find drinking bottles with a stainless steel tube, models with a double ball system, water dispensers for mounting on the bars and combined water and food dispensers for cage and hutch.

How they work and how to fit them

Classic drinking bottles work with a tube and one or two balls. Versions in stainless steel stand up to busy teeth better than plastic and stay tight for a long time. Systems without a ball are rather less prone to trouble when it gets cold outside. A metal holder with a filling scale shows you at a glance how much has been drunk. Fitting is done on the bars, on the hutch wall or with hooks. Choose a height at which your animal can drink comfortably in an upright position.

Cleaning and checking

Rinse the waterer out regularly, because deposits form quickly in standing water. A bottle brush reaches into narrow necks as well. Check daily that water is coming through by tapping the ball lightly. In frosty weather check several times a day and change the water if needed. Do not put the bottle in full sun, where the water warms up fast. A second waterer in the enclosure makes sense when several animals live together. A combined water and food dispenser saves space in the cage, because both sit in one spot and are topped up together.

Frequently asked questions

Bottle or bowl, which is better?
The bottle keeps the water clean and free of bedding. A bowl is more comfortable for some animals but gets dirty faster.

Why is my drinking bottle dripping?
Usually the ball is not seated properly or the seal has slipped. Put the tube back in place and tighten the cap firmly.

How often should I change the water?
Daily, so it stays fresh. Rinse the bottle at the same time and remove deposits with a narrow brush.