Water bottle and dish?

[revolvingsheep]

I'm getting a Ferret next month. I already bought the Ferret Nation 142. I am trying to decide on water bottles and dishes. I want to put a water dish under each bottle for leakage and as an alternative to drink from. I'm guessing I should put one of these on each level? Any suggestions on what I should buy?

[Deleted]

The lock on crock things work well but sense its situated on the side of the cage I don't think it would be used to catch drippings from a bottle. A heavy ceramic dish could work. For example: www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3135685
One of the bigger three could work I suppose.

[revolvingsheep]

Thanks for the suggestion on the bowl. I just figured it would be nice to give her the option of a bottle or bowl.

What about water bottles? I had one for a mouse I had that didn't have a ball on the end... it stopped naturally.

Also, suggestions on a food fish for raw meet would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[Deleted]

A lot of people choose not to use bottles, for the reason that ferrets have to work hard at it and will drink less because of that. So a bowl is usually the way to go. Plus some bite very hard on the metal pieces and I think it can damage their teeth (not 100% on this though).

I have 2 bottles in the cage as a backup. I haven't seen anyone use them in ages (too lazy ) but occasionally Dixie likes to swim/snorkel/knock over the water, and it makes me feel better to know that there is a water source just in case. Pixie refuses to drink from a high crock (she's got me wrapped around her little finger ) so I have a oblong shaped heavy dish for drinking (so everyone can drink at one). I call it the watering hole for the most part they leave it alone. It gets dumped once a week or so

[Sherry]

I just use the loc-crocs for the water. In my 142 I only have the one on the feeding level. They use it to drink from, snorkel in, and dig out on occasion when they are tantruming I quit using the bottles because mine would bite at them and I was afraid of them damaging their teeth.
For food dishes, either Suki turns it upside down almost immediately , or I'd get this:


And yes, she deliberately moved all the meat OFF the plate first ;D

[revolvingsheep]

Funny. I'll look into the loc. Maybe I can just put the food down on something I can clean right after instead of gettIng a dish.

[Deleted]

Definitely look into a "feeding den" - you can make one out of a large sterilite or tubberware container. Easy to clean and wipe down, and also gives them some privacy when eating (which helps keep stashing down).

[maddiesmom]

Sherry - cute picture!!
Want to know something really funny? If I put the food down right next to the bowl, on the pan, Izzy will pick it up and put it in the bowl and then eat it LOL

I'm one of those who don't use a water bottle I used to have both, but then noticed that they weren't using the water bottle at all, so I just got rid of it and got a slightly bigger bowl. And its actually a bowl that you can buy for dog crates - fairly cheap, too

ETA: kudos for doing your homework before getting a ferret!

[Deleted]

I have both loc-crocks and bottles - one of each on each level of the FN. Yes, my brats are spoiled. Bastien uses the bottles almost all the time. The girls seem to like the crocs but occasionally use the bottles, too.
For feeding, I just put their meat on a plate in the middle of their room. There's always at least one box or soda case for them to use as a feeding den if they want.

[Deleted]

I use both and I see all my ferrets drinking from both even though they are right next to each other lol

[Deleted]

I only use bowls as I don't cage my fuzz. I did use large heavy ceramic bowl when I had to cage one, but they tend to get knocked and smashed Loc-crocks in cage are the way to go.

[Heather]

I use only bowls. I use a locking type in the cages and they have one giant metal dog bowl that they have to share with the dog, and the 3 cats. It's located inside a large cat litter pan so that the ones who believe in snorkelling can do so. This offends the cats though ;D
ciao

[Deleted]

Forgot to mention the types i use

16 oz glass lixit brand "bird bottle"
And I use two 10 oz stainless steel Snap'y fit bowls for food and water. Its made to stay in place and can't be budged by naughty ferts.