Rat can't find water bottle!!!!!!!!!!!?

Question

I just got a new rat, 6 1/2 wks old, and he can't find his water bottle! I have showed him where it is and he acknowledges it, but doesn't seem to know that he can drink here! He knows how to use a water bottle. I'm afraid he'll die of thirst. How can I get him to see his water bottle and know that he can drink from it and do so?

Answer 1

Make sure the water is actually coming out of the water bottle. Some water bottles get the ball stuck and do not let water out.



You can also offer some foods that will provide some liquid if you are really worried. You can use watermelon, apple, corn, peas, lettuce (not too much lettuce as it can cause an upset tummy).



Hope this helps

Answer 2

When I first got rats, I used a small bowl made for putting rodent food in, but instead I just filled it with water and my ratties drank from there. They used it for a long time to drink, but they gnawed all along the edges of it (it was a plastic one) and they would tip it over sometimes. After a while I got worried about all that spilled water in their bedding, so I switched them to a water bottle and they got used to it right from the start. Maybe you could do the same for your rat and see if he'll be more ready to use a water bottle when he's older

Answer 3

If he knows how to use a water bottle and he can reach it fine he should drink when he feels thirsty. You can try squeezing the bottle if he goes near it, which will make a few drops come out and he will be able to see where it is. He should be able to smell where the water is and most rats learn to use water bottles just fine. If you're really worried about him, you can give him a small water dish, but he should be just fine. If he is in your room, you will probably hear him drink at night when rats are most active. When you get a new rat they often don't eat or drink normally, as they are getting used to the sights and smells of their new home. Give him some time, he should come around just fine.



For more information about rats please check out my website (link in profile), or feel free to email me by clicking on my user name. Good luck with your rat!

Answer 4

If the waterbottle is a big one, it may be sticky or too stiff for a little baby to get water from. I have seen tiny babies completely dehydrated and almost dying because they were unable to use the large waterbottle. For babies I often use a small bowl for their water and a bottle as well. Once I am sure they can use the water bottle and its not stuck then I remove the bowl. I actually have bowls in a few of my cages right now, and my rats love them.

Answer 5

i might advise a bottle rather then a bowl of water with rats, frequently via fact rats desire to tip their bowls over and placed issues (consisting of poop) of their bowls. So on acceptable of checking the bowl constantly to verify if it grew to become into finished, you will possibly additionally could desire to be checking it to verify if it have been sparkling. i might in my opinion advise the excellent puppy Flat Bac water bottles. I honestly have never had a topic with the ball getting caught in those (unlike different water bottles) plus they have this beautiful little yellow duck that floats interior the bottle to offer you an exceptionally sparkling indication of the water point.

Answer 6

My rat won't use a water bottle either, so I bought a small, heavy bowl in the pet store and put her water in there. It works like a charm and sometimes, she even uses the water to wash her face, which is absolutely adorable to watch!!! Try it.

Answer 7

The previous answerer had it right. If he doesnt get it, try a cup of water under it. My rats went to it right away.

Answer 8

let him get thirsty, then grab his face and put his mouth/nose in the water bottle tip and get his mouth/nose wet and he will start to drink. thats how i got mine to. even though it sounds cruel... its not!