If you have rabbits or are thinking about getting some rabbits, then providing them with clean drinking water is a high priority. You may be wondering Can My Rabbit Drink Out Of A Bowl?
The answer is yes, your rabbit can drink out of a bowl. In fact, some rabbit owners recommend bowls over nipple water bottles for rabbits, as drinking from a bowl simulates how the rabbit would drink in the wild. Realize that some rabbit owners argue that bowls are far less sanitary than bottles as they are wide open to dirt, urine spray, feces, soiled bedding, furry bunny feet, etc.
Further, rabbits that eat fresh vegetables and green grasses will drink less water than rabbits who eat hay and pellets.
Rabbit Water Very Important For Rabbits
As with all land based mammals, access to clean drinking water is paramount to maintaining a rabbit’s health and strong immune system.
Drinking clean water helps rabbits:
- Stay properly hydrated.
- Flush out excess calcium.
- Keep their gut and digestive system moving properly.
Rabbits Properly Hydrated
Rabbits must stay properly hydrated. Water is essential to all regular bodily functions. A rabbit needs water in order to urinate and flush waste out of it’s body. Blood is also mostly water based.
Rabbit Flushing Out Excess Calcium – Why Is Rabbit Urine Chalky?
Rabbits are built to absorb ALL of the calcium in their food. The rabbit’s system tries to get rid of excess calcium by passing it in the urine. And that is why rabbit urine is often a bit chalky.
Too much calcium can cause urine stones and sludge in the rabbit’s bladder. Water is necessary to help flush excess calcium out of the rabbit’s system through the kidneys, bladder and urinary tract.
You may be interested in this article about Low Calcium Veggies For Your Rabbit!
Why Is My Rabbit Drinking So Much Water
It’s also said that a rabbit who is drinking a lot more water than normal, may be stressed. If you belive your rabbit is drinking too much water, then we recommend you do an inventory of your rabbit’s living area and make sure that nothing is stressing the rabbit. This includes ensuring that predators are not near the hutches at night.
Rabbit Gut And Digestive System Moving
The food the rabbit eats must be moistened and kept moist as it moves through the rabbit’s delicate digestive system. If the ingested food gets too dry then it can lead to Gastro-Intestinal Stasis (GI Stasis) or Ileus.
Healthy rabbits are eating and pooping each day, several times a day. A sick or severely distressed rabbit is not pooping and eating and will die within a day or two. Here is some more important information about How Often Do Rabbits Poop?
For instance, even if your rabbit is only pooping out a few small, hard poop pellets, and is not eating, then it is very ill and may have GI Stasis. It is important to contact your rabbit veterinarian immediately for advice.
Are Water Bowls Unsanitary For Rabbits?
Many people who raise rabbits in outdoor hutches see water bowls as bothersome and unsanitary – see the rabbit water bowl pros and cons listed below.
Rabbit Water Bowl vs Bottle
Many rabbit owners who raise bunnies in their homes choose to use bowls with their house rabbits. While most of us who raise rabbits in outdoor hutches use the inverted water bottle with a nipple. Please see the pros and cons of rabbit water bowls and bottles listed below.
Water Bowls For Rabbits: Pros and Cons
Rabbit water bowls are often called “crocks”.
Crocks are often made of ceramic, metal or plastic and some can be clipped to the rabbit cage to prevent tipping and spilling.
Pros of Using A Rabbit Bowl or Crock:
- Easy to fill, clean and replace if broken.
- Natural drinking position and mechanics for rabbit.
- Can be clipped to a cage to prevent spilling.
Cons of Using a Rabbit Bowl or Crock:
- If not clipped to a cage then, a rabbit may knock it over, spilling the water.
- Less sanitary – Bowls are open to dust, dirt, soiled bedding, hay, fury rabbit feet, urine spray, bugs, etc.
- Water evaporates from the bowl.
- No good way to track the volume of water the rabbits drink.
- Really should be cleaned daily.
Water Bottles For Rabbits: Pros and Cons
Water bottles with screw on tops and ball nipples are commonly used for watering rabbits.
Pros of Using a Water Bottle for Rabbits:
- Easy enough to fill, clean and replace if broken.
- Can be clipped to a cage to prevent spilling.
- Water does not evaporate from the bottle.
- Large water bottles require less filling.
- Volume measurements marked on the side of the bottle allow you to track the volume of water that your rabbits drink.
Cons of Using a Water Bottle for Rabbits:
- The rabbit tilts its head in an abnormal position to drink.
- More likely to develop algae in summer heat
- Hard to keep unfrozen in winter
Here is a great Video about the Rabbit Gut and Digestive System
Frequently Asked Questions Related To Can Pet Rabbits Drink Out Of A Bowl
Do Rabbits Drink Water in the Wild
Yes, rabbits do drink water in the wild. Obviously this is somewhat dependent on the rabbit’s habitat.
If a rabbit is eating plenty of luscious grasses, then it won’t have as much need for water because it is taking in a fair amount of water. However a rabbit that is eating hay, will need a constant source of water. You may click here for more about Wild Rabbits Drinking Water.
How Long Can Rabbits Go Without Water
A healthy rabbit may be able to survive 3 or 4 days without water, but most rabbits will experience serious health complications, like GI Stasis, if they do not have adequate water each and every day. You may click here for more about How Long Can Rabbits Go Without Water.
Do Rabbits Like to Play in Water
No, most rabbits do not like to play in water. Even on hot days it is not wise to dunk your rabbit in the water. Many rabbits will go into shock if they get soaking wet. You may click here for more about Do Rabbits Like to Play In Water.
Do Rabbits Drink A Lot Of Water
On average a rabbit will drink about 10% of its body weight in water each day. Here at Hobby Farm Heaven we think that drinking 10% of your body weight in water, is drinking a lot of water.
How Much Water Should A Rabbit Drink
A rabbit that is eating luscious vegetation needs less water than a rabbit eating hay. So, how much water a rabbit should drink depends on its habitat and diet.
Another way to answer the question is to say that rabbits need to drink enough water to ensure that their sensitive digestive system keeps moving.
For more information about how important water is to the rabbit’s digestive system you can click on How Often Do Rabbits Poop?
What Can Bunnies Drink Besides Water
Rabbits should only drink water. Rabbits should not drink Coca Cola, Pepsi, Gatorade, or Energy Drinks. The two exceptions that we give way to are:
- If you think your rabbit is not drinking enough water, then you may put a few drops of natural fruit juice in your rabbit’s water. This “sweet water” will entice your rabbit to drink more.
- You may periodically give your bunnies some herbal tea. Not all herbal tea is appropriate for rabbits. Herbal teas such as peppermint, chamomile, and lavender are safe for rabbits. Make the tea to the strength that you usually drink.
Can Rabbits Go Out In The Rain
It is ok for bunnies to go out in a gentle rain or drizzle on a warm day, but it is generally not good for them to get fully soaked to the skin.
You should gently and patiently towel dry your rabbit after being in the rain. If your rabbit does get soaking wet, then you can use a hair dryer on very low heat, a soft brush, and a towel to patiently and thoroughly dry your bunny. You may click here for more about Can Rabbits Go Out In The Rain.
Final Thoughts on Can My Rabbit Drink Out Of A Bowl
The clear answer is yes, your rabbit can drink out of a bowl.
We reviewed the various pros and cons of using bowls or bottles with your rabbits.
Much depends on the habitat for your rabbits.
Most owners who house their rabbits in outdoor hutches use bottles, primarily for ease of use and better hygiene for the rabbits.
Alternatively, many owners with house rabbits use bowls.
Here at hobby farm heaven our rabbits are housed in outdoor hutches. We find that using rabbit water bottles is easy for us and healthy for our bunnies 🙂
Here is video of rabbit drinking from a clear bowl – so you can see it’s mouth!