There are few things much worse than going to clean your hamster’s cage and finding that his water bottle has leaked, leaving him with no water and a mess for you.
Needless to say, the water bottle is an essential feature for your pet’s home. However, there are several things you should know to help you choose the right product for your hamster’s space. Our guide includes the most important features to look for and other considerations to help you navigate through the myriad of choices available.
Continue reading to learn more about this necessary cage accessory.
The Choco Nose No-Drip Small Animal Water Bottle is an excellent choice that provides a chew-proof construction so that you get your money’s worth. It comes in two styles and nozzle lengths to match the size with the available space. It’s an attractive design, considering its use. The size is also compact at 7”L x 2½”W x 2½”D. The flat sides keep it against the cage wall.
The bottle holds 12 ounces of water, which is more than enough if you have more than one hamster. It has a screw-in bracket for secure installation. The best part of this product is that it delivers what it promises: no drips. It’s easy to clean, too.
Pros
Two nozzle lengths
Two available styles
Chew-proof design
Lightweight
Cons
Expensive
2. Lixit Wide Mouth Small Animal Water Bottle – Best Value
The Lixit Wide Mouth Small Animal Water Bottle deals with the problem of your hamster chewing on it with an external installation. That makes it easy to remove and clean without disturbing your pet. It comes in three sizes for use with a variety of small animals. The 8-ounce, plastic bottle measures 10“L x 4”W x 3”D. It’s a bit large, even if it is outside the cage.
The product is affordably priced, making it the best hamster water bottle for the money. It has a wide-top design, which makes it easy to clean with a bottle brush. Unfortunately, it can occasionally leak after the pet takes a drink, which puts it in the deal breaker category.
Pros
Three capacities available
Outside installation
Secure attachment to cage
Cons
Bulkier size
Occasional leaks
3. Alfie Pet Small Animal 2-in-1 Water Bottle – Premium Choice
The Alfie Pet Small Animal 2-in-1 Water Bottle has a unique design that functions both as a water source and a hiding place for your hamster. These critters often like to curl up in a protected space, so this product serves both purposes, i.e., for smaller rodents. Some pets are too large to take advantage of this feature.
The bottle holds just 2⅔ ounces of water. While adequate, we can see ourselves changing it often to offer cool water. It is compact at 6¼”L x 4⅓”W x 3”D. A ceramic sleeve protects the bottle from gnawing, with only the metal nozzle visible. However, an animal that crawls up it will get to it easily, unfortunately.
Pros
Decent chew protection with ceramic
Includes a hiding place
Odor-resistant
Cons
Takes up a lot of space in the cage
Small water capacity
4. Lixit Chew Proof Glass Small Animal Water Bottle
The Lixit Chew Proof Glass Small Animal Water Bottle, of course, is chew-proof because of the material. Yes, it’s heavier, but it’s also easy to clean and won’t retain odors. It’s also large at 11”L x 4½”W x 4½”D with a 16-ounce capacity. That’s a bit of overkill for a single hamster. The filled container is heavy and takes up a lot of space.
Installation is a breeze with a clip that allows you to hang it on the cage. That’s great if you have a wire cage, but not so much if you have something with solid walls. The design of the nozzle is curious with the extended plastic from the cap. We can see it as a decent choice if you have a larger setup for your pet.
The Oasis Small Animal Water Bell Bottle is appropriately named. The bottle is pretty with its floral pattern for such a utilitarian object. The base of the bottle has a plastic sleeve, which we liked for the added protection it offers. It is compact at 6”L x 4”W x 1½”D and holds 4 ounces of water. It comes with a holder that keeps it securely in place.
The bottle is smaller than many comparable products. That’s both good and bad. You’ll change the water more often to keep it clean, but it might not stay cool for very long. It does leak if it isn’t positioned correctly. We suggest monitoring the moisture level underneath it and adjust it as necessary.
The Kaytee Chew Proof Water Bottle is another glass product that gets the job done. We liked the fact that the cap and nozzle are both metal to safeguard it against damage. It is reasonably priced with a capacity that is suitable for smaller rodents. It comes with a spring attachment that will keep it flat against the side of the cage to optimize the space within it.
The bottle is clear, which we liked. It makes it easy to tell how much water is left inside of it. That’s a good thing if you fill it every other day or so. We prefer to make it a daily habit, but the thought is there with the floating duck reminder. Cute! Unfortunately, the double-ball system in the nozzle sometimes sticks, perhaps due to hard water buildup that you’ll need to check occasionally.
The Poodle Pet Water Feeder Bottle is all about making it easy. Use its bottle or yours to make the setup for your hamster work for you. It’s simple to use, which we always appreciate that in any product we buy. You can replace the bottle as needed. That’s makes it a healthier option if you use a plastic one. Only the tip of the included bottle is metal, which makes it vulnerable to chewing.
We liked the fact that it is a breeze to install. The setup is decent and user-friendly. Unfortunately, it’s not as pet-proof as we’d like, especially since it’s a major rub for pet owners.
The Living World Eco + Water Bottle lives up to its name with recycled materials. Glass strikes the right chord as a healthy alternative to plastic because of its easy cleaning. Unfortunately, it’s relatively expensive considering that fact. On the positive side, it makes good use of its space at 12”L x 2½”W x 2”D. It comes in either 12 or 26 ounces, which are way too much.
The bottle has a spring attachment. While secure, they are also limiting for installations. On the bright side, it is quiet, unlike a lot of products with metal nozzles. It doesn’t leak but sometimes does it too well.
The Kathson 2 in 1 Hamster Water Bottle resembles the Alfie option and brings similar pros and cons with it. The bottle and nozzle are well-protected to safeguard it and prevent leaks. That part of it would be great if it were big enough to be usable by your critter. Unfortunately, it’s not. The bottle is small with a capacity more in line with what a hamster can drink daily. That’s good and bad.
You must change the water every day. Neglecting it puts your hamster at risk for dehydration more so than other similar products. The sleeve protects it, but not so much if your critter crawls over it as just another toy in his cage. The problem is that he’ll be out of the water quickly, even if the mess is minimal for you.
The Guardians Hamster Water Bottle attempts to be it all as a water bottle, food container, and hiding place. Unfortunately, it doesn’t quite hit the mark on any of them. The water bottle is well-protected but small at 4 ounces (125 ml). The food container is equally lacking. As for the hiding place, it too is far snug for an adult hamster.
We’re not fans of containers inside the cage since it’s probably just big enough to give your hamster enough room. This bottle does. At 3.2 ounces, your pet is likely going to knock it down. When filled, it’s top-heavy. On the positive side, the design keeps the bottom of the bottle tucked away to prevent gnawing. It is also one of the few products we reviewed with a warranty.
Pros
Chew-proof base
90-day warranty
Cons
Small food container
Tight-fitting hiding spot
Little water bottle
Easy to topple over
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Hamster Water Bottle
A water bottle probably is the most expensive part of your hamster’s setup, but it’s undoubtedly one of the most critical components. Prices—and quality—vary across the board from a couple of bucks to over $30 for a deluxe product. The essential thing is that it works and doesn’t leak. There are several factors that you should look for when choosing between the different ones available.
They include:
Bottle Materials
Size
Nozzle Design
Installation and Placement
We’ll discuss each one in detail, along with some tips to help you pick the best one for your hamster.
Bottle Materials
Plastic is one of the most popular choices because it’s cheap, lightweight, and comes in a variety of sizes. The one thing you must verify is that the material is non-toxic. Most products will emphasize this fact in the description. The primary drawback is that your hamster can chew through plastic with his large incisors.
Bear in mind that a hamster’s teeth keep growing throughout his life. His instinct is to gnaw on things to keep them in check so that he can eat and drink. The most vulnerable part of the water bottle is at the top, near the cap and nozzle. If the hamster can get to it, he’s going to chew it.
Alternative materials that may help prevent this problem include ceramic and glass. They are more durable and can withstand the damage that your hamster’s teeth can cause. On the downside, some are more expensive. They are typically heavier. The other issue is that some bottles are noisy, particularly with the construction of the nozzle. It might be a problem if you keep the cage in your bedroom.
Despite the expense, the significant advantages these materials offer are durability and ease of cleaning. Sometimes, plastic will retain odors, whereas you won’t have that issue with ceramic or glass.
Size
Many product descriptions will use the term “hamster” to indicate the size of rodent for which the bottle is meant. The essential thing is that your pet has fresh, clean water available at all times. He’s not going to drink much or empty it. Like many animals, including people, they prefer cool water as opposed to lukewarm. A bigger bottle keeps it at the temperature from the tap longer.
Remember that water has weight, too. A gallon is about 8 pounds. You can do the math and figure out what it for the bottle. Size comes into play if the filled container will strain the wall of a cage. It also matters if it takes up a lot of real estate that infringes on your hamster’s usable space. Couple this info with the weight of the filled bottle, too.
Nozzle Design
The nozzle is where the pedal meets the metal. Leaking, of course, is the primary issue. Many manufacturers use proprietary designs to manage this vexing problem. Most products are metal to prevent hamsters from gnawing on it. There is typically a metal ball within it that controls the water flow. Some pet owners find the sound of metal-on-metal annoying. We think it’s a minor consideration.
Image Credit: Sukpaiboonwat, Shutterstock
Installation and Placement
The overriding advantage of a water bottle versus a bowl is that the former stays clean and dry, whereas a hamster can tip the latter or foul the contents with litter. We prefer using a bottle overwhelmingly. If you’ve bought a cage kit, it probably included one with its accompanying holder. The best thing about having the set is that you know they’re compatible and that it’s going to work.
Some water bottles sold separately may or may not have a holder. That brings up the subject of installing it. There are two vital considerations. First, the nozzle must be a height that is accessible to your hamster without him having to do acrobatics to get to it. Second, the bottle must sit securely in place, preferably flat against the wall of the cage.
That’s essential because if the bottle is too heavy, it’ll topple over, leaving your hamster high and dry while you must clean the cage. We’d suggest going with a product that has a metal holder so that your pet won’t chew it if just out of boredom.
Conclusion
The best hamster water bottle will ensure that your pet has a reliable source of water that will optimize its space in the cage. That’s precisely what the Choco Nose No-Drip Small Animal Water Bottle does. The manufacturer hits a lot of the points that you want and need. It’ll keep him healthier if he has a dry environment without a leaky bottle that can soil the place he calls home.
Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes (and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship) and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts' knowledge with pet lovers across the globe....Read more
