|
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2015 8:47:43 GMT -5
My boy Simon hasn't drank but a couple sips the past 2 days. His water bowl hangs on his cage and he keeps tipping it over every time I put it in his cage. I would just use a water bottle but he doesn't know how to drink out of one or just won't. He puts his head under the bowl and jerks up causing it to flip. I don't really know what to do . It's never been a problem until now.
|
|
Bonbon
Junior Member
Raw Feeder
Posts: 194 
|
Post by Bonbon on Oct 22, 2015 9:04:50 GMT -5
Try getting a heavier ceramic bowl. My little guy stopped drinking from his water bottle and he was tipping over his bowl as well but once I got a ceramic one, no more spills. But he still digs and splashes in it.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2015 9:10:06 GMT -5
Hi and Welcome to the HFF  Simon is having fun with his water. He's a water baby and they love to play with water. Water bottles are not the best choice for offering water. We prefer to recommend water bowls. They make some for ferrets which are harder to tip over. You sound like you have a water crock attached to the side of his cage. It shouldn't tip if it's securely attached but Simon can still splash water out. Some ferrents will put a heavy water bowl inside a larger shallow dish. Then if water is spilled, it spills into the other dish and there is still water in the other dish and available for Simon. I'd take a run to a pet store and look for something heavy and also maybe check out what other water crocks are available. You might find one that is more secure. You can also look online. Amazon has a good pet supply department. They have to have access to water so I'd check his water bowls at least twice a day and make sure water is remaining in them. A dehydrated ferret especially if he is on kibble can go downhill fast. Kibble is dehydrating in itself and unless they eat a natural diet, they tend to be slightly dehydrated normally. I'm glad you found the forum. It's a lovely place to talk about ferrets and everyone here is kind and gentle. We love to talk about everything ferret related and we love pictures and stories. If you need any help navigating the forum, simply ask. Have fun and see you around the HFF (dance) |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2015 9:17:41 GMT -5
It's a metal bowl that has a ring around it with just two hooks that can attach to the cage, I got it from Dr. Foster & Smith. I think putting another, heavier bowl in it will fix this problem, as the bowl is quite big. Thank you!
|
|
|
|
Post by Klarissa on Oct 22, 2015 9:27:02 GMT -5
I will take a picture of my set up when I get home. My boy Willy is a water baby, though hilarious at times, less so when he pulls the water bowl into the hammock  I have a small ceramic bowl, inside a bigger metal bowl, inside a cake pan. So even if he manages to flip the metal bowl, snorkels, or digs in his water, it lands in the cake pan. |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2015 9:53:39 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Sherry on Oct 22, 2015 11:01:59 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2015 11:51:15 GMT -5
I've always found big heavy ceramic dishes the best. You might need to clean and fill it fairly often as it may also be used as a bath/snorkel tank. I always have a water bottle attached too, in case he ever feels inclined to use it.
|
|
|
|
Post by raynebc on Oct 22, 2015 13:53:48 GMT -5
Back when I used a cage I used a heavy ceramic bowl that I attached to a corner of the bottom level with something like mounting tape. It wasn't too effective after it got wet though, so then they'd have the opportunity to slide it around.
|
|
|
|
Post by Klarissa on Oct 22, 2015 15:26:39 GMT -5
In the cage - I use a zip tie to hold the metal bowl. I wipe the metal bowl out daily & wash it weekly. The ceramic bowl gets washed daily.  On the floor.  |
|
|
|
Post by skyandemilia on Oct 22, 2015 19:54:22 GMT -5
Are you sure he's not drinking it?
My girl Emilia always intentionally spills the water, but then she laps it up off the floor. She just doesn't like drinking from a bowl and prefers to lick it off of a surface.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2015 22:46:16 GMT -5
A shallow bowl but heavy with just little bit of water in bottom.
Did have one little fellow who would put a paw in and drag bowl backwards, which was fun on a vinyl floor.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2016 12:06:22 GMT -5
Last night one of my girls must have dumped the water dish, I've since replaced it with a heavier bowl, but there was hardly any water left in the bottom (a little bit) and then she slid it on the floor so it wasn't very accessible! I don't know if they've had anything to drink and I don't know how to tell if they're dehydrated because they're kibble fed so I feel like they're always dehydrated (the pinch test always freaks me out because the skin seems to stay up for too long when pinched but it might just be the fur, I'm having a hard time telling) How long can they go without water? (It was less than 12 hours since the bowl was checked (before bed).
On a water note, do you give your ferrets cold or warm water? Mine all seem to prefer warm and seem to snorkle and drink more. I'm also wondering if ferrets can have sensitive teeth like humans if thats why my one girl in particular likes mushier food and warmer water?
|
|
