Baby rabbits drinking from water bottle

[cornishpasty]

We've recently got two dwarf lop rabbits who are about 7 weeks old. I gave them their water in a bottle attached to the side of the cage but the level didn't seem to be going down at all. It's a bottle with a little metal ball in the tube to stop the water leaking out. I'm not sure that they are getting much water from it - they just appear to lick the end of the tube. So i've just given them a little water in a small bowl and they loved it and lapped it up. So should i be giving babies this age their water in a bottle or bowl?

I would have thought rabbits of 7wks would be ok with a water bottle but it might be worth getting a smaller bottle with a smaller diameter mouth piece. Having said that if they're happy lapping just leave them with a bowl till their older but with them jumping around and weeing you may well find you'll be changing the water quite regularly - atleast in a bottle the water stays clean!

when I got my baby rabbit I was told to give water in a bowl, but I can't remmeber how long for tbh.

I would have both in there and then if they start using the bottle stop putting the dish in

I guess at the end of the day its best they drink no matter how they get their water. I agree - put both in.

Brilliant, thanks. That's what i thought -i've left both there for them hoping when they're bigger they'll be able to drink ok from the bottle. As you say it's important they get water - and i'm glad i can now see they're drinking well.

They will drink from the bottle eventually but I think its just a case of time and practice!

It is only when they are very young (drownable) that they shouldn't have a water bowl. Check your ball bearing is moving, ours sometimes gets stuck meaning they cannot drink.