Drinking bowl for hamsters: what they are, how to make it yourself, how to install and train them to drink

Assembly from a plastic bottle

To make a water bowl for a hamster with your own hands, you will need the following materials:

05 liter plastic bottle, preferably water bottle;
self-tapping screw or nail;
roulette;
felt-tip pen;
corrugated tube;
wire.

To begin with, let's take a plastic bottle and prepare it for use by washing it and cleaning it from any remaining lemonade and labels. Take a self-tapping screw and screw it into the plug. We need a hole slightly smaller in diameter than the size of the tube that we must insert into the cork.

The tube needs to be divided in half, leaving the corrugated part. Insert into the cork so that the height of the tube in the bottle is 2cm, and outside 5cm. To prevent liquid from leaking out when tilting the bottle, the hole made with a self-tapping screw must be smaller than the diameter of the tube. Water flows from the bottle only if the straw is installed incorrectly. To fix the damage, you just need to take another cap and make a new hole in it.

Now we need to use a tape measure and a felt-tip pen to draw a scale on our homemade drinking bowl. Thanks to the markings, you can track the amount of liquid your pet drinks. After the work is finished, you need to attach the bottle with liquid to the cage using wire. We fix the product at a height of 4-5 cm so that the rodent can easily drink water.

So we learned how to make a drinking bowl for a hamster with our own hands. Such a product cannot break: all that needs to be repaired is to change the drinking tube when your pet chews it.

Assembly from a baby bottle

To make a drinking bottle at home, you can use an unnecessary baby bottle. It is important that it is made of plastic. Glass bottles are not suitable for safety reasons because they may break.

This assembly method does not require additional markings. The scale is drawn on the surface. All you need is to purchase a lid for the container and a small piece of hose. You can get all this at a hardware store or buy a ready-made drinking lid at a pet supply store.

So, let's start assembling: if you don't have a ready-made cap, then take the cap, punch a hole in it with a nail into which we insert the hose. It is important to remember that the hole should not match the diameter of the hose.

Pour water into our container and screw on the lid. After making sure that water does not drip when turning the product over, you can secure it in the hamster cage. This design is easy for the animal to use, and it is easily attached to the cage using a rope or cord.

Drinking bowl

The most affordable option. Its price varies from 15 to 200 rubles, and you can find such an accessory almost everywhere. At the same time, it has the following advantages:

Ease of use.
Practicality (easy to clean and can be used for a long time).
Versatility (placed in any part of the cage).
Low cost.

However, such a drinking bowl for a hamster is not without some disadvantages. So, hamsters often turn it over, and this can not only lead to the need to constantly clean the cage, but also to the appearance of various diseases in the animals. For example, a rodent can catch a cold from sleeping on a damp bedding or get poisoned by drinking water that has been contaminated with garbage.

Sometimes you can see in pet stores bowls adapted to be attached to a cage. However, even such models are quite easy to knock over, and their contents get dirty just as quickly.

Vacuum drinkers

vacuum drinker
This type is also often used when keeping birds. The cost depends on the volume. A small vacuum drinker of a size suitable for a hamster will cost no more than 150 rubles.

Animals quickly get used to the vacuum sippy cup due to its ease of use, and the liquid from the reservoir flows into the part accessible for drinking in small portions, which prevents its contamination.

The disadvantage of this model may be the material from which it is made - usually it is soft plastic and it will not be difficult for hamsters to chew through it.

Step-by-step instruction

Now let's look at how to make a drinking bowl for a hamster with your own hands of one type or another.

Nipple drinkers

Perhaps the best option, which is highly recommended if you want to make it for your pet yourself. You will need a small plastic bottle - half-liter or liter, a body from a regular ballpoint pen, a ball from a bicycle bearing, a weak spring from a fountain pen and a thin stick (even a lollipop will do).

Here's what you'll need to do:

Place the ball from the bearing into the handle body. Measure the place where it is stuck, and this must be done so that the ball protrudes a little, literally a millimeter, above this mark;
then remove the ball and saw off part of the body along the mark using a hacksaw;
put the ball back, then connect the spring with the lollipop stick and also install it inside the prepared body;
fix the stick on the reverse side so that it, together with the spring, acts as a stop;
then make a hole in the bottle and insert the manufactured structure;
Seal the joint thoroughly to prevent water leakage.

Materials and tools for making drinking bowls

There is no need to specially purchase materials or tools to construct a drinking bowl. Every home always has what it needs.

Material for drinking bowls:

container (plastic bottle, medicine bottle, etc.);
juice straw;
a metal ball, a fountain pen and a wooden block for the nipple;
glue "Moment";
rope or strong thread for hanging.

To make a floor drinking bowl, there is only one requirement - a wooden plank, to which a container should be attached for stability.

Tools for work:

sharp knife;
ruler;
marker;
hammer;
nail (or drill).

This kit is enough to make a sippy cup for a hamster.

How to accustom a rodent to a drinking bowl

It is not enough to equip a hamster's cage with a water supply structure. You also need to teach your pet how to use it. There are no problems with those in which the water flows by itself (made from a bottle or a cut bottle with a straw). After all, they use a familiar bowl in which liquid accumulates that the hamster can easily drink.

But what about an automatic drinker equipped with a nipple tube? This issue needs to be studied more closely.

Hamster drinks water from a drinking bowl

Usually there are no problems here. Little hamsters, having seen several times how adults drink from a drinking bowl, quickly understand how to get the desired water. If your pet does not have this skill, just show him the water bowl, press it with your finger, squeezing out a drop of water, and wet the rodent’s nose with it. Then bring the hamster to the sippy cup and gently press its nose onto the nipple, causing the water to flow. After several such exercises (repeat them at intervals of several hours or even days), almost all rodents understand what needs to be done to get drunk.

Some tips for using a drinking bowl

Hamsters are quite nimble animals; they can easily throw off a sippy cup or chew off its plastic spout. And if securely fixing the drinking bowl helps solve the first problem, then you will not be able to cope with the hamster’s natural desire to chew everything. In this case, you should try to purchase a drinking bowl with a metal spout for your pet in the near future.

What other difficulties may be associated with a sippy cup? And how to solve them? Here are some tips that will come in handy:

homemade sippy cups leak and wet the litter, so you can put a saucer under the spout;
you must be sure that the water supply is normal and the hamster is drinking. This is very simple to do: every day, apply a line on the surface of the bottle with a marker to mark the water level (the marker is easily erased with alcohol). If the water level does not decrease, then either the drinking bowl is broken or the hamster is sick;
If there is algae inside the bottle, it must be cleaned with soda and a toothbrush.

Sometimes the hamster simply does not know how to use the water bowl. In this case, he will have to be taught to drink from a spout.

Finally, we note that homemade sippy cups for hamsters are not as reliable as store-bought ones. But for some time they can be replaced. It is important to ensure that the hamster does not chew on the plastic spout, and that the structure itself does not leak.

How to make your own hammock

You can make a hanging bed for your pet yourself in literally a couple of hours, if you know how to sew, weave or knit at least a little.

From felt boots

The easiest option to make with your own hands is a hammock made from felt boots. It is enough to sew ties, straps, chains or carabiners to the felt boots (they can be cut from a worn-out backpack or old bag) so that the boot after hanging remains in a horizontal position, and the toe “looks” up. If desired, several small pockets can be sewn to the outside of the boot in which the ferret will hide his finds.

From a piece of fabric

Another simple option is a hammock made from a piece of fabric made by yourself. To make it you will need dense, soft and preferably natural fabric, it can be drape, denim, cashmere, thin felt, thick linen, etc.

You can also use fleece or faux fur, it is important that the material does not emit a strong odor, otherwise the animal will not use the hammock

The scrap of fabric for the base of the hammock is folded right sides inward and sewn on three sides (by hand or on a sewing machine). Next, the workpiece is turned inside out and the hole is sutured, tucking the cuts inward.

The blanks for the ties are folded in half lengthwise, right sides inward, and stitched with a 0.5 cm indentation from the cuts along the long side. The blanks are turned inside out, helping yourself with a pencil, short sections are tucked inside and sewn up. The finished ties are firmly sewn to the corners of the hammock base.

Tip: if you don’t want to bother with ties, you can use ready-made straps, chains, carabiners or dense cords such as paracord instead.

Hammock pillow

A hammock-pillow is made in almost the same way as a fabric hammock, only you need to take slightly larger scraps of fabric as a basis (at least a square with a side of 35 cm), and after turning the main part of the hammock inside, put foam rubber, rustling balls, or loosely stuff the workpiece with padding polyester, and only then sew up the fourth side. A hanging bed can be supplemented with a secret pocket by sewing another piece of fabric the size of the base to the pillow. In this case, the pet will be happy to “dive” inside this pocket and hide its “prey” in it.

Hammock tube

It’s easy to make a hammock-pipe with your own hands. Two rectangular pieces of fabric measuring approximately 40x60 cm and a piece of thin foam rubber or dense padding polyester slightly smaller than the fabric pieces are folded into a “sandwich”: the first piece of fabric is face down (on the table), a pad is placed on it, and the second piece of fabric is placed on top with the wrong side to the gasket. The “sandwich” is fastened with pins and stitched around the perimeter, tucking the sections of tissue flaps inside. If desired, quilt the entire surface of the workpiece. Next, the workpiece is rolled into a pipe along the long side, and the edges of the pipe are overlapped. Then sew ties and, if desired, pockets to the sides of the pipe and a piece of faux fur to the bottom from the inside.

Types of drinking bowls for pets

Before making a drinking bowl for your pet, it is important to decide on its type. At the moment there are such options as:

floor type, placed on the floor and characterized by fairly high sides. Their task is to prevent water from spilling on the floor;
The automatic type is characterized by complete automation of the process. Such drinking bowls ensure a constant supply of liquid to the pet, and also prevent possible flooding of the cage or floor;
sealed ones help to comply with sanitary and hygienic standards for keeping the animal. It can ensure the constant availability of high-quality liquid for the rodent;
the hanging type is attached directly to the cage itself. It can be open, but most often there is an indoor version. This type of container is considered one of the most popular among inexperienced animal owners;
the vacuum type consists of a container for liquid and a tray made of silicone or plastic. The method of operation is to supply water to the tray from a container;
The nipple type consists of a tube and a flask filled with purified liquid. Also equipped with a special mechanism. Water flows to the hamster only after he presses the mechanism with his tongue. The only disadvantage that stands out is the need to teach the animal to use a drinking bowl;
bottle type with liquid reservoir. From it, the liquid flows into the prepared container using a special mechanism. Water becomes contaminated over time; one of the disadvantages is the need for frequent washing.

Today there are many ways to make a home watering bowl for your pet. The choice remains only with the owner, and you can assemble the structures even with children. Such activities will develop their motor skills and bring the family closer together.

In the process of creating a drinking bowl, it is only important to remember that hamsters are a type of animal that does not like the frequent presence of people nearby. Therefore, the drinking bowl should be made in larger sizes for better water storage.

Automatic sippy cups: ball and nipple

This is the most popular option and that is why there is such diversity among automatic waterers for hamsters. The cost also varies greatly and depends on many factors (material, size, fastening). The cheapest automatic sippy cup with a ball can be found for 150 rubles, for a more modern, improved model you will have to pay more - up to 700 rubles.

ball drinker with clamp

The flasks of such drinkers are made of plastic and glass, and the spouts are made of metal.

Sometimes they are additionally equipped with a float for better visibility of the level of remaining liquid. The mechanism can be ball or pin. There is no fundamental difference between them; if the animal is used to one, it will be able to use the other; both the ball and nipple drinkers work on the principle of a regular washstand.

When choosing, it is important to consider the preferred mounting method:

The undeniable advantages of this type of drinkers include the possibility of attaching them outside the cage, long-term preservation of clean drinking water, and a metal spout that is resistant to rodent bites.

The only disadvantage of this type of sippy cups is the likelihood of a poor-quality purchase. Cheap automatic sippy cups often leak. If possible, while still in the store, ask the seller to check the product in front of you, because the cause of the leak may be a defect.

ball drinker with suction cups

Sometimes the drinker leaks from under the lid; perhaps there is not enough rubber or silicone sealing ring under it, or it is not thick enough. But more often it drips from the spout of automatic sippy cups. This may occur due to the spout becoming clogged with sawdust or limescale deposits forming. Such contamination can be easily removed with cleaning agents. It happens that the leak is located in the area of the connection between the tube and the container. In this case, it will be enough to insert the spout deeper into the hole.

If for some reason you have not purchased a drinking bowl or like to make things, then you can make it yourself. You can read about this in the article “How to make a drinking bowl for a hamster.”

We encountered a problem - the hamster does not drink water. An article on how to train a hamster to drink from a drinking bowl will help solve this issue.

Source

How often to refresh the water

The water in the drinking bowl is changed daily

It doesn’t matter whether the hamster managed to drink all the water or not. Otherwise, you risk exposing your pet to illness.

In summer, water should be changed two or three times a day, in winter and autumn at least once a day. It is important to raise the issue of water regime for newborn babies.

They are not yet able to reach the automatic drinker, so the best option would be a small saucer. The water in it needs to be changed every 3-4 hours. In order for your pet to be healthy and happy, he needs good care. Providing clean, fresh water is one way to take care of your pet. You can buy or you can build a simple drinking bowl yourself.

Why does a ferret need a hammock?

Beginning ferret breeders are often surprised to learn that their pet needs a hammock, and not an ordinary bed, for a comfortable existence and sweet sleep.

Animals can sleep in boxes, on pillows, in their house, and even crawling into a warm sock or felt boot, but only a hammock allows a ferret to feel completely safe. This is due to the fact that wild relatives of domesticated ferrets always choose secluded dark places to sleep - under a stump, in dense bushes, or dig holes. Soft earth or grass perfectly takes the shape of the animal’s body, and it feels protected both from enemies and from bad weather.

Domestic ferrets living in an apartment do not have the opportunity to dig a hole for themselves, and the presence of a sleeping place, the same as dry leaves or grass, makes the pet happy - he sleeps well, so he plays and “hunts” with great pleasure.

Making a water bowl for a hamster with your own hands

Clean the plastic bottle thoroughly and remove all stickers from it. Using a ruler and marker, draw a line every centimeter on the bottle. This way you can determine how much your hamster drinks. If you notice that the water in the water bottle is not decreasing or decreasing very slowly, you may need to replace the water bottle. It could also be a sign of health problems in your hamster.
Cut the straw in half and leave the part with the corrugated bend. Remove the cap from the plastic bottle. Make a hole in the cap using a hammer and nail. Pull out the nail and push the tube through the resulting hole. To prevent liquid from spilling, the hole should be slightly smaller in diameter than the straw.
Fill the bottle with cold water and screw on the cap. Drink some water through a straw - this will allow the water to flow freely through the straw. Use a rope to tie the hamster's water bowl to the cage. The bottle should be secured so that the straw is about five centimeters from the bottom of the cage, so the hamster can easily reach the straw. The straw should not touch the bottom or any equipment of the hamster's cage, as this may cause water to leak.

Tips and warnings

You should empty, clean, and refill your water bottle at least twice a week.

Instead of a hammer and nail, you can use a drill and a bit to drill a hole in the bottle cap. Or you can heat a nail over a fire and pierce the cap with ease.

If the hamster chews on the straw, access to water may become worse or it may stop flowing altogether. In this case, the do-it-yourself drinking bowl for a hamster must be replaced. In particular, you will need to replace the damaged straw with a new one.

You can make a drinking bowl for a hamster with your own hands using a small plate. To do this, simply pour water into a metal, porcelain or plastic saucer and place it in the cage. The disadvantage of this solution is that the water in the plate will often be covered with debris and will have to be changed frequently. Also, a hamster can easily turn over such a drinking bowl.

An improved version of the previous solution could be a small glass jar with a volume of 50-150 ml, for example, baby food. It is more difficult to turn such a drinker over, and since it is also higher than the saucer, it will be more difficult to fill the water with debris.

All of the above is also suitable for other rodents, for example, guinea pigs or chinchillas.

For a long and healthy life of a hamster, a well-equipped home is very important. In nature, animals themselves instinctively arrange their burrows in the best way for themselves. In captivity, a person must take care of this. The main rule for keeping most pets is access to fresh drinking water. You can either purchase a drinking bowl at any pet store or make it yourself.

How to install (attach) a drinking bowl for a hamster

Let's look at the five simplest and most accessible ways to attach a drinking bowl.

Did you know? Hamsters are distinguished by good intelligence - they remember their nickname, distinguish between relatives and can learn to perform several tricks.

If you have a drinking bowl with a hole in the lid for fastening, then just make a double-sided hook from a piece of wire. On one side we make a larger loop for attaching to the edge of a cage or container, and on the other side we attach a drinking bowl to a small loop.

If the drinking bowl comes with a mount for the cage, then a large office clip will help to attach it to the container. We take out one wire and make a loop of the same shape, but larger, from a long piece of wire. We hook the drinking bowl mount to the loop we made. We attach the clamp to the edge of the container. We insert a new wire into the clamp along with the drinking bowl.

We make a stand for the automatic drinker from a large, thick plastic cup. The diameter of the bottom of the cup should be slightly larger than the diameter of the automatic drinker. Turn the glass over and place the drinking bowl in the center. Mark the outline of the hole for the automatic drinker at the bottom of the cup with a marker and cut it along the marked line. On the side of the cup we mark and make a hole for the straw at the desired height. We insert the automatic drinker into the made stand and place it in the container.

You will need a plastic bottle with a slightly larger diameter than the drinking bowl. Cut off the bottom of the bottle and part of the side so that it can be installed in the bottle. We make a small hole on the edge of the bottle for attaching the wire and a small hole in the bottom for the tube. We place the drinking bowl in the bottle and attach it to a wire hook, hanging it in the container.

We make a stand from a toilet paper or paper towel roll. Using a marker, mark the contours on the side of the sleeve and mark the hole for attaching the wire, and cut it out. To place the drinker, cut a small semicircle at the bottom of the sleeve for the spout of the drinker. We insert the drinker into the stand, thread the wire through the hole and hang it over the edge of the container.

Why doesn't the animal drink water?

The reasons why a hamster refuses to drink water from a drinking bowl can be varied. If the animal has recently appeared in the family, its stressful state cannot be ruled out. In this case, there is no need to rush things - let him get comfortable and get used to the new living conditions.

Another factor is the inability to use the drinking bowl. We have already discussed above what to do in this situation.

We must not forget that hamsters are nocturnal animals. This means that the peak of their activity may occur at a time when household members are already sleeping. Accordingly, the animal quite possibly uses the drinking bowl, it just does it when no one is looking.

And finally, you need to take into account that the animal needs fresh water, which is recommended to be changed daily. The hamster will not drink stagnant water. It is also necessary to occasionally check how well the drinking bowl is functioning and whether there are any technical faults.

It should also be noted that newborn animals need, just like adults, to receive fresh water.

In this case, it is best to rinse the saucer several times a day and renew the liquid.

How healthy a pet will grow up depends entirely on its owners.

Therefore, having decided to take such an important step as getting a pet, you need to give it maximum attention and provide competent care. Only in this case will the hamster be active, friendly, develop properly and delight its owners

See below for a video review of drinking bowls for rodents.

Sippy cup or saucer?

A bowl is the most economical and budget option. Its cost is low and mainly depends on the material used. The advantage is simplicity. The bowl is easy to clean, it will not turn out to be defective, it allows you to feed the hamster without a drinker and can be placed in any part of the cage. But in this case, you will have to clean his home more. The water in the saucer quickly becomes dirty, sawdust, wool and food get into it. Animals, due to their activity, often knock over the bowl, and water pours into the filler. In addition to frequent cleaning, this can lead to colds, therefore, this option is dangerous.

On the shelves of pet stores you can find bowls with attachments to the walls of the cage. Despite the fact that the saucer is not located next to the filler and does not stand on the bottom, the water in it just as quickly gets dirty and spills out.

A hanging automatic drinker is a closed bottle; its contents cannot be knocked over or littered. The water is dosed, there is no need to change it and check it several times a day; it is much more convenient for a hamster to drink from a sippy cup.

The sippy cup has a complete advantage over the saucer. But if you do not have the opportunity to purchase it at the moment,

Why doesn't a hamster drink from a drinking bowl?

If the hamster does not drink from the water bowl, then perhaps he has not yet gotten used to the new place, he is stressed, leave him alone for a few days. If he doesn't know how to drink, then he needs to be taught. The reason for refusing water may be succulent food or the physiological characteristics of the pet. All hamsters are different, they are nocturnal animals, they can drink at night, and you won’t see it. Monitor the water level in the drinking bowl.

So, we looked at the main types of drinking bowls for hamsters, the principle of operation, and ways to make and secure them yourself. We can conclude that homemade devices are a temporary option, they are inferior in reliability and can leak, so it is better to purchase a ready-made one. The best option is a nipple drinker; you can choose one on an original stand or a compact hanging one.

How to teach a hamster to drink from a water bowl

It is recommended to install a drinking bowl in advance when preparing a home for a hamster, then the hamster, while exploring the new house, will be able to independently learn to drink water from the device. If you purchased a drinking bowl later, it is important to teach the animal to drink from it.

We recommend learning how to catch an escaped hamster.

Not all hamsters know how to use new accessories, but that's okay, they will learn quickly. You can bring the animal up and carefully poke its nose into the drinking tube. But it’s best to use a little trick - smear the tip of the tube with juicy and aromatic food, a pear, an apple or a cucumber. The smell will attract the hamster, instinct will work, and he will learn to drink.

How to make a reliable water bowl for a hamster with your own hands?

Step-by-step manufacturing instructions:

Clear the prepared bottle of stickers: the hamster can peel them off on its own and eat them.
Make a hole in the lid by driving a nail into it. Make sure its diameter is slightly smaller than the cocktail straw.
Cut off almost the entire straight part from the tube and insert it into the resulting hole. It should fit snugly. If there are any gaps left, you can cover them with sealant or glue and wait for them to dry.
Next, you will need to fill the container with water, screw on the lid and attach the drinker to the cage using wire or rope. The location should be such that the tip of the tube is in the air at a height that is comfortable for the animal.
You can mark the outside of the water bowl with a marker so you can see the amount of water your hamster drinks daily. If it is minor, the animal is probably sick.

An automatic drinking bowl made in this way is distinguished by its ease of manufacture, low cost and convenience for the cage occupant.

It is suitable not only for a hamster, but also for rats, chinchillas, guinea pigs and other small rodents.

Another option for making a drinking bowl for a hamster with your own hands would be a container, the hole of which is covered by a ball. Tools and consumables for the job will be similar to the previous design, but you need to add a metal ball from a bearing or a heavy bead and use a transparent writing pen body instead of a cocktail straw.

When making a hole in the cap, position the body of the handle at an angle, but it is more rational to cut it directly into the body of the bottle. Heat the nail on the fire and burn a hole of the required diameter.
The ball from the bearing will become the locking element. Place it in the pen body and mark where it will get stuck, then carefully trim off the excess.
If necessary, use a pen spring to prevent leaks. It needs to be wedged from the inside with a small piece of wood or plastic, the size of which does not impede the passage of water.

By making such a drinking bowl for a hamster with your own hands, you will save some money on the purchase and will be able to give free rein to your imagination by adding decorative elements for decoration. If you like to frequently feed your hamster treats and treats, then the floor-mounted version of the tank will be the most convenient and rational solution.

Use a wooden block as a platform to place a container of water. This will raise the level of the drinking bowl above the floor and reduce the degree of contamination of the liquid with debris from the cage.
Take wide plastic caps and select a bottle of such a diameter that it fits snugly into them. It is advisable to find a container made of thick plastic so that the hamster does not cut himself on the edges.
Using a utility knife, cut off the top part, leaving the bottom at such a height that it is comfortable for the animal to drink.
Screw the plastic covers to the block with screws. They will become cup holders.

Such a design will become not only a drinking bowl, but also a homemade feeder for a hamster.

Several lids allow you to expand the number of tanks: pour water into one, pour food into another, and use the third for vegetables and fruits needed for pets.

Choosing a drinking bowl

When choosing a container for drinking, the area of the hamster's home is important. If the cage is small, then the drinker should be external. And if your furry friend has a whole mansion, then you can give preference to a bottle in a stand. By the way, the stands of some models are made in the form of a house; they look very stylish.

The size of the container is also very important. You should not buy a half-liter bottle for a small animal in the hope that it will last longer, because the water will still have to be changed every day. A drinking bowl with a volume of 50-150 ml is suitable for a Djungarian, and 150-300 ml for a Syrian.

Many people are interested in the question: how much does a water bowl for a hamster cost? Here everything depends on the design, volume and brand, the minimum price is 150 rubles. We suggest paying attention to the following models:

Trixie (50 ml) – for little dwarfs. The body and spout are made of transparent plastic. This model has 2 types of fastenings: suction cup and hooks. Therefore, it can be installed on a smooth surface or attached directly to the rods. The price of pleasure is 190 rubles.
Ferplast “Drinky” (150 ml) – a transparent plastic bottle with a stainless steel spout and a metal ball inside. The set includes a plastic ring for fixing the drinker to the cage. This option is suitable for both dwarf hamsters and large breeds. Costs 270 rubles.
Ferplast Sippy (100 ml) is a nipple drinker for hamsters. The package includes a suction cup and a reliable plastic mount. Very convenient removable lid. Price – 350 rubles.
Bibber (200 ml) – hanging ball drinker for Syrians. Stylish design, metal spout. Costs from 420 rubles.
Triol (250 ml) – plastic sippy cup for large breeds of rodents. There is a loop on the top lid from which the bottle is hung. Its cost is 150 rubles.

In online stores you can order bottles with stands; they look very original:

After purchasing, you should rinse the bottle, fill it with water and place it in your furry pet’s cage. Attaching the sippy cup to the bars is very simple. First you need to secure the ring, turning it slightly to the side, and then insert the bottle into it.

How to teach a hamster to drink on its own

If you choose a rodent not from a pet store, but pick it up from friends or acquaintances, it may be too small. The baby will require special care, because the animal can die of thirst. In this case, the responsibility falls on your shoulders to teach him to drink. It is permissible to feed tiny fluffies from a pipette or syringe without a needle, but this option should not take root for long. It is best to train your furry animal to drink on its own, so you can avoid unnecessary problems.

It is not difficult to teach a hamster to drink from a sippy cup, even if he sees it for the first time.

The animal needs to explore the bottle on its own. Let him examine it carefully.
Touch the bowl ball with your finger and lubricate the rodent's nose with a drop of water.
Now touch his nose to the ball.
These steps must be repeated until the furry animal begins to drink on its own.

From now on, you know exactly what you need to pay attention to when buying a drinking bowl, and you will definitely be able to teach your hamster to drink from it. Good luck finding the best sippy cup for your pet!

How to teach how to use it?

Experts recommend purchasing a sippy cup along with a new house for your hamster. In this case, the pet, examining the unusual housing, will definitely notice it and learn to drink on its own. This will save the owners from the learning process.

However, there are cases when a drinking bowl is purchased to replace an old one, its type is changed and installed in the animal’s existing home. In this case, the hamster may not immediately figure out how to use the device that is new to him.

However, these animals are quite smart and can be trained well - you can simply bring it to the drinking bowl and poke the ball with its muzzle.

After a few times, the animal will understand the principle of operation and will actively drink water on its own.

Note to owners: there is another simple way. You just need to coat the spout of the drinker with something tasty and aromatic. A curious hamster will not resist and will definitely come up to try the treat, thereby activating the water supply mechanism. After this, instincts will work, and the animal will use the drinking bowl if necessary.

Types of drinking bowls

There are many types of drinking bowls for small pets, in particular rodents. You can make almost all of them yourself. To do this, you will need a limited set of materials and tools, as well as basic carpentry and repair skills.

Drinkers come in a variety of types, to suit every color and taste.

Homemade drinking bowls differ from each other in design, volume, installation method and other important parameters. Some of them may be temporary, others are established for a long period. Classic options for providing a fun hamster with accessible water supplies are:

Drinking bowl for a hamster: how much it costs, types, methods of attachment

Not much is needed for a hamster to live comfortably. Essential items include water bottles. Deciding which one is preferable is not easy due to the variety of options available for sale. In order not to regret wasting money and not to endanger the life and health of your pets, before purchasing, it is advisable to figure out what the ideal drinking bowl for a hamster should be - weigh all the pros, cons and features of each variety and choose the most suitable one for a particular case.

Types of drinking bowls

Depending on their location, they can be external or internal. External ones are fixed outside the cage and do not take up useful space. Water enters the cage through a special spout. The internal spouts are attached directly to the cage.

By design there are:

Nipple drinkers;
Vacuum drinkers;
Floor drinking bowls;
Bottle;
Ball drinkers;

Nipple drinkers are based on a spring water supply mechanism. Thanks to this, water does not leak. Vacuum drinkers consist of a tray with a fairly high side and a narrow vessel or flask with water fixed on top. As the water in the pan decreases, water automatically flows from the flask. Vacuum drinkers can also be classified as floor drinkers, but most often these are ordinary open drinkers with a high side.

Bottle drinkers are commonly used for birds. They consist of a reservoir of water and a pocket where water accumulates. The ball drinker is very convenient and practical to use. Water is supplied to the pet if he presses the tongue on the ball at the end of a fixed hard tube. The most common homemade drinkers are:

Nipple.
Floor-standing.
Drinking bottle.

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What types of drinkers are there?

These devices are divided into internal and external according to the type of installation in the cage.

The advantage of the external option is that the drinking bowl does not take up space. Water enters the cell through a special spout.

Internal drinking bowls are installed in the animal’s house itself. Also, these devices differ in the type of design, so let’s look at them in more detail.

Nipple - they use a spring mechanism that serves to supply water, and it does not leak.
Vacuum - these drinkers consist of a tray that has high sides. Water is supplied from a flask fixed on top. As the tray is emptied, water is automatically supplied from the vessel.
Floor drinking bowls are traditionally open type drinkers with high sides.
Bottle drinkers - this type of drinker is most often used for birds. They consist of a water reservoir and a pocket where liquid is supplied to the animal.
Ball ones - they are practical to use. Access to water occurs when the pet presses the tongue on the ball.

Let's take a closer look at the most popular drinking bowls for hamsters.

Nipple

They are considered the most commonly used because they are very convenient for rodents. This is an ordinary container, from which water flows through a tube. There is a ball inside that is attached to a spring - a nipple. This drinking bowl is mounted on the bars of the cage. To access water, the animal only needs to press the tongue on the ball. Among the advantages of this drinking bowl are significant space savings, practicality of use, maintenance of constant cleanliness and complete safety for the animal. The disadvantages of this type of device is that not all rodents are able to learn to drink water from such a drinking bowl.

Floor-standing

Making them will only require a little free time.

All you need to have:

block of wood;
container with high sides;
high quality glue.

If you decide to use the cut-off part of a plastic bottle, you should not do this, because the animal may be injured by the sharp edges. When no other available materials are found, it is recommended to lightly scorch the sides of the future drinking bowl with fire.

The container is fixed on a wooden block. If you wish, you can even make two cups at once. One will be for food and the other for drinking. Most importantly, do not forget to change the water and clean the drinking bowls on time.

Drinking bottle

Made from a whole bottle. To make it you will need: a juice tube, a nail, good glue and a container. The first step is to make a hole in the bottle cap, using a nail or drill to help. After this, you should shorten the tube and insert it into the resulting hole with the corrugated side. To ensure a tight seal, cover the joints with glue and wait until it dries completely. When everything is ready, fill the bottle with water and close the lid. Hang the sippy cup, after which it is ready for use.

You can also use a cut bottle. To make it you will need a sharp knife, a 0.5 liter bottle, waterproof glue and a juice straw. When everything is ready, we move on to the process. Initially, you need to remove the bottom of the bottle. We shorten the tube and make a hole in the bottle cap for it. The joint on the lid must be coated with glue. Screw on the cap and hang the bottle so that the cut is at the top and the straw is at the bottom.

You can also not bother making the accessory, but simply buy a sippy cup at a pet store. The price of such a device is very affordable - no more than 250 rubles. The automatic type of drinkers costs more – up to 700 rubles. It is better to choose a high-quality container, because its service life is much longer than a homemade one. But here, too, everything is not so simple - often defective products are found in stores.

How to make toys for hamsters with your own hands

Let's look at how to quickly and easily make various toys for hamsters with your own hands from scrap materials.

Ladder (bridge)

Materials and tools:

cardboard toilet paper rolls;
wire;
pencil or pen;
scissors;
awl.

Step-by-step instruction:

Cut the toilet paper roll lengthwise into two equal parts. Repeat the same with all bushings.
Carefully roll each piece into a tube, wrapping it around a pencil or pen.

Take out the pencil and roll the resulting tube several times in your palms so that it retains its shape.
On each part, mark the place where the wire is attached - 1.5–2 cm from the edges of the tube and make through holes in them. In this case, the free edge (cut) of the part should be on the back side of the bridge.
Make additional holes in the first and last tube so that you can secure the wire and protect your pets from sharp ends.
Measure the required piece of wire based on the total length of the ladder and a small margin.
Bend the end of the wire into a hook and thread it into the tube through the back hole. In this case, the tip of the wire should “hide” in the second upper hole.
String the remaining tube parts onto the wire. Fasten the end of the wire to the last part.
The ladder is ready. To turn it into a bridge, you just need to bend it in a semicircle.

Video: DIY hamster bridge

Tunnels for hamsters from a plastic bottle

Materials and tools:

plastic bottles; sharp scissors or stationery knife; electrical tape or tape.

Step-by-step instruction:

Wash all bottles thoroughly and remove labels.
Trim the top and bottom of the bottles, giving them a cylindrical shape.
Treat all sections with electrical tape or tape to prevent the hamsters from getting hurt.
Connect the bottles into a single tunnel using tape. The simplest tunnel is ready. Do not make it too long to maintain good air circulation.
To complicate the design, you can make a hole on the side surface of one of the bottles, where you can insert the second bottle and secure everything with electrical tape. There may be several such branches.

Swing

Materials and tools:

children's counting sticks;
sushi sticks;
beads with small beads;
Super glue.

Step-by-step instruction:

For the swing seat, several counting sticks (about 10 pieces) should be placed end-to-end on the table. In this case, the two outermost ones should be at such a distance from the neighboring ones that beads can be passed through the resulting gap.
Glue two sticks across the laid out sticks along the edges of the seat, also leaving a small gap between them for the beads.
Glue two sushi sticks with their thick ends at an angle of about 45 degrees. Do the same with the second pair of sticks. These will be the swing stands.
Glue the crossbar - another sushi stick - on top between the two posts. For greater stability, additionally secure the structure with rubber bands.
Pass the beads through the gaps on both sides of the seat and secure them to the crossbar. The swing is ready!

Video: DIY hamster swing

Hammock

Materials and tools:

felt fabric;
satin ribbon;
floss threads;
scissors;
chalk or thin soap,
glue.

Step-by-step instruction:

Cut two strips of felt measuring 20x24 cm. It is more convenient to cut out both parts at once, fastening them together with pins.
Using chalk or soap, mark shallow semicircles on the four edges of the felt parts. However, they should not reach the perpendicular edges of the fabric by 1.5–2 cm.
Trim the fabric on all sides along the intended semicircles.
Cut a satin ribbon about 22–25 cm long into four parts, singe the ends over the fire so that they do not fall apart.
Fold a piece of ribbon in half and glue or sew the ends between two corners of the fabric. In this case, the ends of the tape should extend 3–3.5 cm inside the product. Repeat the same for the other three corners.
Finish all the edges of the hammock with floss threads using a looped (over) stitch in increments of about 5 mm. The hammock is ready!

If desired, you can lay padding polyester or cotton wool between the two parts of the hammock.

Video: how to make a hammock for rats with your own hands

Making simple tunnels

A hamster cage must contain at least one small tunnel. And for games outside the home, complex structures of medium and large size are suitable. You can make a permanent entertainment room for your furry friend or build the attraction anew each time, changing its size and direction of moves.

Children are showing great interest in creating entertainment for hamsters. We invite you to study the instructions for creating simple tunnels that even a schoolchild will understand.

Paper tube for cage

The simplest option is to use a cardboard paper towel tube as a building material. You can put it in the cage unchanged or make windows in the tube so that the animal can come out through them.

The sleeve tube can also be installed in external cardboard labyrinths.

Game room

Do your kids love to play with and watch hamsters? Then give them an idea: make a tunnel for a hamster from an unnecessary cardboard box. The kids will happily get down to business, use their creative imagination and create an attraction with love.

There are a lot of construction options. We will tell you how to make a hamster maze in two different ways.

The first method does not involve the use of glue. Take a box and pieces of cardboard: 3 strips should correspond in size to the length of the room, 5 to the width. On long pieces, make 5 cuts at equal distances from each other, and cut short pieces three times. Between the cuts, cut out doors, windows and holes for pipes. Now we can assemble our room. Install long partitions with the cuts up, and insert short parts into them with the cut down. You will get a lattice. If you have pipes planned, insert them into the round cutouts. Place the grid in the box and you can start playing right away!
The second method is based on gluing the walls. It is good because you can create a variety of branches, as well as a rest room for a small creature. To glue the walls, use regular or construction tape.

Labyrinth from a construction set

Preschoolers and schoolchildren love to build various castles and fortresses from construction sets. Invite them to make an attraction for a hamster - they will happily complete this task. Moreover, children themselves know how to make a labyrinth for a hamster from Lego constructors interesting and convenient.

If you are building a walker for a dzhungarik, small parts are better suited. For the larger Syrian breed, use medium sized pieces. Using a small construction set inside the maze, you can build a small obstacle course for the animal, at the end of which you can place a tasty nut.

Book fortress

Old hardcover books are suitable for creating a large, spacious tunnel. To do this, they need to be placed with their roots facing up. It is better to completely enclose the space with books so that the hamsters do not run away in different directions. For one animal, the width of the passage can be 5-8 cm (so that the animal can easily turn around in it), but if you have several fluffies, the tunnels should be more spacious.

In such a book fortress, kids really love to have hamster races. Rodents are placed in a common closed room, after which they open the “door” and watch which of the animals gets to the exit first

At the same time, it is important to ensure that race participants do not violate the rules. If a cunning hamster climbs over the wall, he must be brought back

A maze made from books can also be used to train animals. To do this, you need to place small pieces of tasty food along the chosen path, and repeat the operation several times with the same route. Then you should place the treat only at the exit. You will be surprised how quickly your smart hamster will find it!

Tunnel made of plumbing parts

If your apartment has recently been renovated and you still have unnecessary parts for connecting pipes, use them to create a branched labyrinth! This attraction is suitable for both small Djungarian and larger Syrian and Caucasian hamsters. By the way, the tunnel made from plumbing looks very original. Another advantage is the collapsible design of the attraction, which means you can periodically change the direction of the moves.

Making it is very simple: connect the parts in any direction. It will be more interesting for the hamster to play if there are several exits in the pipe. But in this case, do not leave the home unattended, otherwise you will have to look for it throughout the apartment!