Bernard

[Maz]

That is nice. Although none of my hamsters have ever had a bowl, only a bottle. It’s all they know. It seems to be quite a recent thing giving bowls as I was always told there was a risk of drowning or getting wet. So maybe one of those things where it’s seen as ok now as the Germans do it and up to choice now if people find them fine. I’d be wary of encouraging new owners to use a bowl though as it’s the kind of thing that could get contaminated in the cage if in the wrong place or water not changed regularly.

I did used to always have two water bottles though in case one stopped working. They always need access to water. Since I found better bottles I don’t do that any more unless going away.

 

[Maz]

Aside from that, sorry! It’s a really cute picture of Bernard again!

 

[Member ID2]

It is so cute how they all have their preferences. Orko uses the bowl then goes straight to the bottle. I wonder if any other robos do that.

None of ours do that but there must be a reasoning behind Orko doing that.

 

[RainbowBrite]

None of ours do that but there must be a reasoning behind Orko doing that.

I would love to know the reason.

 

[Maz]

Hamsters are maybe just curious . And like to do a bit of everything. I think I need to get past the fear of bowls of water lol. I have it ingrained from the past that it's not safe. But clearly it is as so many people do it now. Maybe that goes back to the days when people had wood shavings and no shelves or flat roof houses, so the bowls of water got contaminated easily.

 

[Member ID2]

Aside from that, sorry! It’s a really cute picture of Bernard again!

Yes, i get what you are saying about a water bowl and new hamster owners, Maz.

I sometimes forget that not everybody has the common sense to place a water bowl where it can't get contaminated, on a solid surface and choses a safe and suitable bowl in the first place.

Bernard's bowl is small and has a glass marble inside it so there's no way he could fall into it. A marble or pebble in a bowl needs to be big enough not to get pouched.

Finley has a small, shallow reptile water dish.

Scottie has a glazed clay spoon he loves to drink from.

Lilly has a small, shallow ceramic egg cup.

Jack and Clive have glass tealight holders.

None are placed on substrate or where they could get knocked over. They are either on top of flatroof houses or shelves.

 

[RainbowBrite]

Hamsters are maybe just curious . And like to do a bit of everything. I think I need to get past the fear of bowls of water lol. I have it ingrained from the past that it's not safe. But clearly it is as so many people do it now. Maybe that goes back to the days when people had wood shavings and no shelves or flat roof houses, so the bowls of water got contaminated easily.

Having the bowl on a platform ensures it stays clean. I have Niteangel water bowls which have a peak in them to stop any hamster from going inside.

 

[Maz]

Posted at the same time I think it's just something we'd need to make people aware of then, if they use a bowl.

 

[Member ID2]

Hamsters are maybe just curious . And like to do a bit of everything. I think I need to get past the fear of bowls of water lol. I have it ingrained from the past that it's not safe.

I think bowls are more natural but some hamsters prefer bottles so i give ours both. Clive drinks mainly from his bottle and so did Rory and Rodney.

Come to think of it. Syrians seem to prefer bottles and Robos and dwarfs bowls.

 

[Maz]

Ah that's interesting as I've mainly had syrians. Pip uses his bottle (no option!) But if he did have a bowl it would have to be well away from his food as his food goes everywhere! Raffy likes to yank his bottle out of it's holder with a clatter to get my attention when he wants to come out

 

[Member ID2]

Having the bowl on a platform ensures it stays clean. I have Niteangel water bowls which have a peak in them to stop any hamster from going inside.

They are the posh version of my one portion jam jar/marble combos.

 

[RainbowBrite]

They are the posh version of my one portion jam jar/marble combos.

Your idea is brilliant and so inventive.

 

[Member ID2]

Raffy likes to yank his bottle out of it's holder with a clatter to get my attention when he wants to come out

Who knows what he'd do with a water bowl!

 

[Member ID2]

Just gave Bernard a Nibblot treat and he's loving that. He didn't take it from my fingers but he didn't run away when i put it down in his tank.

 

[Maz]

Are the Nibblots like the ones Elusive has then?

 

[Member ID2]

That's what i'm trying to find out. The Nibblots have a crispy shell with a soft filling. I only give them as an ocassional treat, they all love them. I don't think Nibblots are healthy but treats aren't usually. I mean, if i eat an apple it's healthy, if i eat a cake it's not healthy but a treat.

 

[Zara]

Oh my, these pictures of Bernard are gorgeous, lovin him on his tiptoes and sitting in his wheel . His new home looks fabulous Beryl, another great set up, can just imagine him whizzing around excitedly.

 

[Member ID2]

I just had Bernard out in the playground for a short while where he zoomed around.
He's in the blue wheel.
I don't know if he enjoyed it or not but he didn't hide. I think he didn't know what to make of it yet.
He walked into a small transport ball i put in his tank and he jumped back into it from the playground.

 

[Maz]

Great to see Bernard out and about!

 

[Member ID2]

I put my hand flat in his tank to see what happened. Nothing happened, he carried on with what he was doing.
I then put the ball in to see what he'd do and he walked in. Could be a curiosity thing of course.
I'm not fussed about hand taming Robos and leave it up to them. I do like to introduce them to out of cage time though to see if they like it. I wouldn't want them to miss out on this opportunity.
I've only ever had two hamsters who didn't want to leave their cages at all, dwarf Ozzy and Robo Finley.
Lilly learned very quickly that the mug is her way out of her cage and she walks in when she wants out.
Scottie is the same, he walks into his mug when he's in the mood to come out which doesn't often happen.
The ball is safer for Bernard because i need to carry him upstairs.