Do all mice know how to use water dishes?

by River Fri 22 Dec 2017, 12:34 pm

I had assumed so, since all my mice have, but I'm not sure with Garcia. We have a dish in the quarantine cage secured on a platform so she can drink, but not get it messy. I haven't seen her make any use of it, but I suppose she might have while I wasn't looking, considering she's so nervous.

Do you think she knows how to use it? Or should I get a water bottle?

by CucumberMouse Fri 22 Dec 2017, 1:34 pm

I've never really heard of a mouse not knowing how to use a water dish, their natural instincts would be to drink from the ground, so having a bowl on the floor of the cage would most mimic their natural drinking habits. However, I think over years of domestication, mice may have lost that instinct. Its probably rare but its probably possible that some mice don't know how to drink from a dish. Your mouse might be able to pick up on it though if you give her some more time. Water bottles are more hygienic though, and I've known mice to carry their toys and bedding into the dish even when its placed on a different level, so I would suggest a water bottle.

by Rodents rock! Fri 22 Dec 2017, 1:38 pm

I believe she will figure it out if she hasn't already. Very Happy

I know most people use water bottles for sanitary purposes, but I use a water bowl for Mickey and he loves it. I always make sure to keep the bowl elevated so it stays clean. I use water bottles for both my hamsters.

by CallaLily Fri 22 Dec 2017, 3:11 pm

Chances are she knows where it is and has drank from it. I think most, if not all, mice find the water very quickly and figure it out just as fast whether you use a bowl or a bottle.

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Do all mice know how to use water dishes?

Do all mice know how to use water dishes?

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