Water Bottle Question

[B&NancyNu2Chins]

At the pet store where Tutter is living, they give the chins water in a large bowl. I didn't want to use a bowl because it seems cleaner to use a water bottle. I bought a water bottle that I have attached to his cage. My question, will it be hard for Tutter to adjust to drinking water from a bottle. How should I change, cold turkey? Or should I also give him a dish of water in the beginning.

[torhne]

from what i was told when i got mine from, he was on a drip system of sorts i guess, i dont really remember right, but what Jeff told me to do was put the water bottle in there, and take a raisin and split it in half, and rub the tip of the water bottle nozzle with it, maybe try to cram 1/2 on to it, so he will start chewing at it and realize water is coming out of it. i think it will learn, i dont really see them letting themselves go without water :)

[CHINCHILDREN]

should not be hard for him to learn. if you are worried you can do what we do for moms that just littered; give him a mixture of half and half baby no sugar added apple juice and water for a few days. that might incorage him to get the hand of it a little sooner.
i would do it cold turkey.
some chin are not big drinkers so you might need to mark the water level till you get to know your new chap.
i would NOT do the raisen thing since a. they should really not have ANY treats till they are 6 months old. and b. i would worry about the raisen clogging the spout.

good luck and congrats.

MAKE SURE YOUR CHIN SPACE HAS A/C. in this weather he can do with no water for a day or two till he gets the hand of it but he CANNOT do with the heat.

[littlelaughie]

i had the same situation with 5 mo. old chinny. he caught on right away (and i did it cold turkey) so there's a mighty good chance tutter will too. i take it he's switched to bottles since that was a week ago, but maybe not. let us know : o )

[B&NancyNu2Chins]

Yes, he really didn't have a problem either. I held the waterbottle in front of his face the first time and of course he investigated it right away. So when i attached it to the side of his cage he was fine with it. Thanks for asking........

i had the same situation with 5 mo. old chinny. he caught on right away (and i did it cold turkey) so there's a mighty good chance tutter will too. i take it he's switched to bottles since that was a week ago, but maybe not. let us know : o )