Best Water Bottle for Pet Rats: Glass Water Bottle!
Best Water Bottle for Pet Rats: Glass Water Bottle!
Water bottles are a necessity for pet rats. Without a water bottle, you have to resort to using a messy dish. The rats will throw all sorts of gross things into the water (yes, even poop) and they will also dump the dish. Unless, of course, you have a super sturdy & heavy water dish. Without a doubt, a water bottle is the easiest way out.
This brings us to the big debate: Plastic water bottle or glass water bottle for our pet rats? The answer is GLASS! There are so many benefits to glass water bottles that it is unreal. I’ve also recorded my own review and have attached it at the bottom.
With the proper glass water bottle, your rat can remain healthy while saving you money in the long run.
Are Glass Water Bottles Safe for Rats?
Yes! They are very safe! They are actually a much better option health-wise for rats. However, it can be an expensive switch if you require 5 or more bottles at all times. They are glass, therefore they will not have the potential to leak dangerous chemicals into the animals’ water. One thing us, as owners, don’t seem to take note of is the fact that many plastic water bottles DO NOT say “BPA Free”. This might have been an eye opener for you, as BPA is known to cause cancer, stunted mental development, and more in humans. Could it be possible that our animals’ bottles ARE leaching BPA into their systems? That’s enough of a reason to make the switch. Here are some good examples below:
Can My Rats Break a Glass Water Bottle? Will it Hurt Them?
These cute little rat feet need to remain healthy and protected so your rats can be able to run and play freely!
It is VERY unlikely that your rats will break the water bottle. The glass is super thick, and it is not as fragile as your common drinking glasses. If it did happen to break, it is possible that it could hurt them. For me, this is not a concern. I haven’t had a broken glass water bottle yet; and I doubt it would break other than being dropped on concrete! You shouldn’t be too worried about this one.
Are Glass Water Bottles Less Likely to Grow Dangerous Bacteria and Mold? Can You Put a Glass Water Bottle in the Dishwasher?
Bacteria can pose a serious risk for your rats. Whatever the infection may be, you need to sanitize all items within a rat age should an illness break out.
Glass water bottles are much less likely to grow mold and become host to bacteria. Most glass bottles CAN be ran through a dishwasher (I would verify this with the manufacturer though just in case), meaning they can tolerate higher temperatures for sanitation than plastic bottles can. They also lack a porous surface, unlike plastic. It is a hard, sturdy substance that doesn’t give microorganisms a microscopic hideaway in the form of cracks, crevices, and pores; this means that washing with an antibacterial soap will generally be all of the cleaning that is necessary. Over time, plastic bottles become scratched by cleaning brushes which makes them lose out in the long run.
Will A Glass Water Bottle or a Plastic Water Bottle Leak More?
Plastic water bottles tend to become leaky after a few months, meaning the recurring nightmare of water bottle replacement will continue to haunt you. However, glass bottles tend to hold up well with the test of time. They do not seem to leak like plastic bottles; even after 6 to 12 months. It is probably due to the higher quality materials and the craftsmanship that is used with this particular type of water bottle.