water bottle v. water bowl

This is something that has caused so much drama on bunny Facebook groups. I’ve seen people become absolute vipers in the comments section, tearing down rabbit owners on the “wrong” side.

So which is better for your rabbit? Some swear by bowls, claiming they encourage bunnies to drink more. Others insist their rabbits refuse to drink from anything but a water bottle. Some (although definitely in the minority) have turned to water fountains.

We’ll sort out the pros and cons of bottles, bowls, and fountains, so you can decide once and for all, what is best for your bun.

A Look at the Research

There are always the usual arguments for Team Water Bowl.

“Your rabbit isn’t getting enough water from a bottle.”

“Bowls encourage rabbits to drink more.”

But are they true?

I could only find two studied specifically related to rabbits. Most of the articles discussing the topic either cite no scientific sources or simply referred one of two studies, both from the same team at the University of Zurich:

A Study from 2010 (Tschudin et al. 2010a): This was a study that tested how water intake was affected when water was not readily available to rabbits at all times.
This study from 2011 (Tschudin et al 2011b): This study tested the 2010 study more thoroughly.

We’ll focus on the second, more focused study of bottles and bowls.

Read the 2011 Study Abstract

The parameters

Just because a study concludes something doesn’t mean it’s true. Researchers using the scientific method:

Make an observation
Ask a question about it
Come up with a hypothesis
Make a prediction about the outcome
Test the theory
Document the results

Different researchers doing the same study wouldn’t necessarily come up with the same results. That’s why so many studies are done on the same topic – to verify previous results.

It’s important to understand how the experiment or study was conducted.

In the case of the University of Zurich study, 12 adult dwarf rabbits were tested to see how different factors influenced their water intake – including whether they drank from bowls or bottles. This isn’t a very large sample size. As you probably know, each rabbit is vastly different in personality and preference. It’s tough to say the results of a study of a dozen rabbits should dictate what all rabbit owners should do.

The Results

The study ultimately found that “the drinker [aka the bottle] had no influence on water intake.”

But they still suggested recommended rabbit owners use a bowl. Their data found bottles had a “negative influence” when water access was restricted.

Better safe than sorry, I guess? But no rabbit owner I know is purposely only offering water at certain times.

Researchers noted, while drinking from water bottles didn’t necessarily make rabbits drink less, it did change their fecal matter. There was more dry matter, which a veterinarian writing about the study says is a “physiological water-saving mechanism.” So while they may drink the same amount of water, their body thinks there’s a shortage.

The researchers also suggested not putting the water bowl directly on the floor, so the water is more likely to stay clean.

Here are your water options

I’ve tried bottles and bowls on Baby, but not a water fountain!

The Water Bottle

There are two main types of water bottles that I know of. There are ones that have a metal ball at the tip and ones that have a small metal rod at the tip.

Pros

You don’t have to refill it as often.
You can set one up if you’re going on a one or two day trip without worrying about your rabbit running out of water.

Cons

Some brands end up developing a drip, which can cause a mess.
You need to check for air blocks that may prevent the water from coming through.
Bottles tend to develop green mold inside, especially if they’re exposed to natural light. This mold can be kind of difficult to clean.
You need some sort of cage or playpen to attach the bottle to, so this wouldn’t work as well for fully free roam rabbits.
Some rabbits may need to be taught how to use a bottle. You may need to spend some time showing them how to use the nozzle to get the water to come out.

The Water Bowl

You can find a lot more variety and cute styles if you go the bowl route, just because other, more popular pets like cats and dogs use them as well.

There are a ton of different designs and materials they’re made of. I suggest a heavier material like ceramic so your bun has a harder time flipping it over.

Pros

You can see the dirtiness more easily. This encourages you, the human, to clean the bowl and replace the water more often.
They’re more aesthetically pleasing (in my opinion).

Cons

Some bunnies relish the opportunity to flip their bowl, sending water flying everywhere.
It’s easier for fur and other things to get into the water. From experience, cleaning a food pellet or bunny poop that has dissolved in the water overnight is horrifying.

The sliminess that accumulates on the sides and bottom of the water bowl is called bacterial biofilm. The Cedar Pet Clinic in Lake Elmo, Minnesota explains this in the context of dogs and offers up a cleaning strategy.

The Water Fountain

I’ve considered getting Baby a water fountain, only because I’m sick of seeing hair in his water bowl (he’s a Lionhead) during shedding season.

Agriculture Victoria (a government agency in Australia) recommends having a water fountain for your rabbit. But they say it’s important to have another source of water around, just in case it malfunctions without you realizing.

Pros

Fountains have filters that can keep your rabbit’s water cleaner.

Cons

You can’t tell how much water they’re drinking on a daily basis, because the water continually circulates.
Most fountains have a wire that connects to an outlet. Kudos if you can stop a rabbit from chewing through the cord!
You’ll still need to have a backup water source.