(Part 2) Best small animal feeding & watering supplies according to redditors

Cardboard boxes with shredded paper, pieces of cardboard, paper towel rolls, and some hay stuffed inside with a tunnel attached is by far my buns' favorite toys. They love going in and ripping everything apart and finding hay/treats to eat. Bunnies love cardboard boxes in general. They'll rip them apart and move them around, chew on 'em, make hidey holes, climb on them. I'll even cut out some holes on the side of the boxes and stuff cardboard tubes frayed at the ends/stuffed with hay for them to have fun with.

Tunnels rank at number 2 favorite toy. Their favorite is the crinkley cat tunnels which have holes throughout them they can dart out. They like the crinkle noise too.

They love manipulating objects, hard plastic slinkies (not metal ones!) are fun for them ... and to watch, haha. Hard plastic baby rattles, baby keys, etc. Just no gel/soft plastic as it would be easy for them to bite and ingest.
http://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Toys_and_Games This has an awesome list of toys and also places to buy bun toys. I've bought cottontail cottages, activity tables, rosewood activity trees, etc--buns love them all! But they are expensive for sure. The activity tables last forever but it would definitely be cheaper to build one !

Oh, also--I would recommend games like the Teach N Treat for mental stimulation as well: http://www.amazon.com/Hagen-Living-World-Teach-Treat/dp/B004HYW9B8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393474030&sr=8-1&keywords=teach+n+treat

There are tons of dog and cat games like that too that buns will love: http://www.amazon.ca/Trixie-4594-Products-Solitaire-White/dp/B0057G1WT0/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3EH8O533V5DMS&coliid=I346NPTH7GATHZ

Also they love moving around these treat balls when you stuff em with pellets: http://www.amazon.com/Smarter-Toys-Treat-Inches-Colors/dp/B003ARUKTG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1393474058&sr=8-2&keywords=treat+ball

They love games that have anything to do with eating/end result being eating. :P

http://www.amazon.ca/Kitty-Mansions-Memphis-Tree-Beige/dp/B0043Z0EUE/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3EH8O533V5DMS&coliid=IHU58PNBHRME6 CAT TREES! Build your own if you want! Make sure if you buy one to cover any non-safe bun material.

I also got them one of these: http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0038B2EKM/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00005C5H4/ref=oh_details_o02_s05_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Stack cups! Put treats between them and watch them knock them over and nom the treats. :)

http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00000IZQP/ref=oh_details_o04_s01_i05?ie=UTF8&psc=1 They also like knocking these off.

http://www.amazon.ca/Super-Pet-Tropical-Fiddle-Stick/dp/B000HHO26E/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3EH8O533V5DMS&coliid=I1Y9U0EEWOMV8N These things!

http://www.amazon.ca/Ware-711-Roller-Assorted-Colors/dp/B001CQFDJY/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3EH8O533V5DMS&coliid=I3D5TZDNHU5HM8 This makes eating hay a bit more fun for them. :)

My boys love rolling around and destroying these: http://www.amazon.ca/Peters-Woven-Grass-Play-Ball/dp/B0009YJ3OG/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3EH8O533V5DMS&coliid=I2VYO2771IW0LJ

Bunnies really enjoy long-term projects, which is why they like the dig boxes I described in the first paragraph so much. They dig and rearrange the boxes foreeever until I make a new one for them.

Water bottle -- Velco or buy one of the ones that can sit on the cage floor (like this one).

Mesh -- With a robo, you might not need it. I've kept mine in two bins/tanks and just left the lid off. That provides enough ventilation, and they're typically too tall for a robo to climb. But if you want to cut out sides and all that, look for something called "hardware cloth" at any major hardware store. You can also try chicken wire for something sturdier (but probably unnecessary with a robo).

Space -- Robos are the smallest but they are also the zoomiest, so need as much space as you can provide. If you have 65" of wall space available, I'd recommend the Detolf from Ikea ($60). If you can't manage that, look for a bin that has at least 450 square inches of floor space. Bigger is always better, and it will help if you're able to take him out at night and let him have some free range time. This can be a hamster-proofed room or a playpen area.

Toys -- A good wheel is the most important. Mine loves the 8" Wodent Wheel.

But most of their enrichment comes from your cage setup:

• A big sand area - they love to dig and play in sand.
  
• Deep bedding for them to burrow in and make their own tunnels (I think Kaytee C&C holds tunnels pretty well)
  
• Tubes for them to run through (and often over, ha)
  
• Anything for them to climb on and hide in/under, like those little bendy bridges. These don't have to be things you spend a lot of money on at a the pet store. Look at thrift stores -- many decorative objects can be re-purposed as hamster toys (just make sure it's not something like a thin plastic that your ham can chew and swallow). Or you can use kids toys (which are often made out of a thick plastic that's safe for hams). For example, look at this pretty impressive Lego ham playground: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAGnsUOxhfo
  
  
  
  

ferret bowl

2nd one

these are the two i bought

Yes, as pups, they really need someone with them all day or most of the day.

You should add a doggy bed for them. Make sure the kennel isn't too big. A medium size kennel would be ideal. (separate kennels too) If they have a lot of room to walk around in the kennel, they will potty in there. It'll take a couple weeks for them to get use to their kennel and a solid 3 months before potty training starts to really make progress. You will have accidents in the house, it just a given. Just have to take them out consistently, that's the only way to not have accidents. Taking them to the same spot every time to potty is also a recommendation.

I advise not crating them over night in the kennel as there still getting acclimated to their new home & young. Having them eat in their kennel is best, it will become a "safe space" or "bedroom" . They will be more willing to just sleep there when you're home with the kennel door open and even more so when you leave at a later time.
At 13 weeks, they can only hold their little bladder for 1 hour. Rule for pups is they can hold their bladder for how ever many months they are old. So 2 months old, two hours.

They really need to be taken out every 30 min. You should also purchase this for their water dispensing:
https://www.amazon.com/Drip-Water-bottle-free-proof/dp/B06XF3SBZQ/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1519239693&sr=8-15&keywords=rabbit+water+bottle+no+drip

You don't want to have an open water source as they will have to potty more frequently. Control their water, you'll be able to gauge how often they will need to potty.
Edit: be ready to not get much sleep for the 1st month LOL

PM me if you need anymore help. Happy to assist :)

If you ever decide to replace yours, I've been very happy with this one

This is what we used for water bottle. No drips!

We use fish tank as snowballs house so the glass walls stick very well to regular tapes.

Choco Nose H125 Patented No Drip Hamster Water Bottle. Best Mini-Sized Pet Water Feeder for Hamster/Hedgehog/Sugar Glider/Rat/Mice. BPA Free. Mess Free. 11.2 Oz. Nozzle Diameter: 10mm (Green) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S0B0X5S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_c-TWCbRZPTMY7

https://www.amazon.com/Niteangel-Wooden-Manger-Large-Plywood/dp/B06XGGKH8T

It’s good with the longer cuts of hay. I just don’t like the short shreds.

Odin won't tip his water bowl, or even lean on it, but he'll sometimes tip his food bowl. We tried getting these, but the place we ordered from on Amazon couldn't get that we didn't need the big ones, but the small ones, so we gave up and ended up going with these that we got from PetSmart. They're pretty stable and hold enough food and water for Odin.

Hmm try this?

https://www.amazon.com/STAYbowl%C2%AE-Tip-Proof-Ergonomic-Guinea-Spring/dp/B01KBCGD98/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_199_lp_img_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=EAXJCS2B5ES2HM0RSZ28

I have the Choco Nose (11.2 oz, Nozzle Diameter, 10 mm https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S1SKV48/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_U2NNDbRT83BSA). You just need to tap the ball a few times after it’s been refilled to make sure it’s working. I also leave a dish of water because they seem to prefer that sometimes. Just change the water in the bowl out daily.

I use this water bottle for my guinea pigs, and my two birds enjoy drinking out of it, although the birds do have a ceramic crock specifically for their water. I'd suggest still offering a water dish even if you add the bottle. I haven't had issues with the Oasis bottle leaking like other bottles have.

Maybe something like those rabbit gravity feeder troughs but it can stand on its own with an overhang to keep the trough part dry.

I dream about a feeder that can fit 50 lbs of feed into it LOL

I get all my fleece from JoAnn stores. They often have fleece at 50% off per yard, so you can buy it in bulk and use it as needed. Any large fabric store will have lots of fleece in stock (I just prefer JoAnn because that's the best one I have in the area I live in). I'm sure you know this already, but just in case, please don't use cedar or pine chips as bedding for your rats; it's harmful to them. You can use fleece or aspen chip bedding (but freeze the aspen for 48 hours prior to use to make sure it's free of parasites).

I buy many rat toys on Amazon, and make some myself. If you're buying any kind of wooden rat toy, do be aware that many of them are made from soft woods like pine and cedar, which are super bad for rat respiratory systems. Hardwood toys are usually safe—just make sure it's not a combination wood that also has pine or cedar in it along with the hardwood. I personally do not buy wood toys on amazon, because the products often don't list what kind of wood they're made of. The only wood product I buy on Amazon is bags of untreated apple branch chewing sticks. I'll link you to some rat-safe toys and accessories I buy on amazon below! :)

Kaytee Lava Ledge
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00176F466/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s03?ie=UTF8&psc=1

15" Chin Spin - Small Animal Exercise Wheel - Handmade in USA (Expensive, but it's the very best and safest wheel for rats.)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GJ6SDBQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Bright Starts Lots of Links Accessory Toy (Great for hanging things up in the cage.)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001ABZGU2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&th=1

Small Animal Activity Toy Cotton Rope Net For Rat and Ferret Pet Bed for Parrot and Hamster Parrot
https://www.amazon.com/Animal-Activity-Cotton-Ferret-Hamster/dp/B0777NWKT9/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1519011945&sr=1-2&keywords=rat+rope+net

Kaytee Igloo Hideout, Large
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00068K132/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

ACCO Binder Clips, Medium, 2 Boxes, 12/Box (A7072050) (If using fleece as the bedding/liner in your cage, this helps to secure fleece to the Critter Nation pans.)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TQ8FDB8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Liquid Soap - Baby Unscented, 32oz. (I don't use any scented products with my rats since rat respiratory systems are so fragile, so this is the non-scented liquid soap I use to wash my hands and their non-fabric toys.)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DAI76TC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Pawliss Teeth Grinding Lava Block for Hamster Chinchilla Rabbit
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HGHA6VW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Aspen/Booda Corporation BBX56134 Byrdy Cable Cross Bird Toy, Medium
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003WRHTG6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

200g(7oz) Apple Sticks Pet Snacks Chew Toys for Guinea Pigs Chinchilla Squirrel Rabbits Hamster(About 50-70 Sticks) by MAIYUAN (The only wood product I buy on Amazon.)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06WLL641Y/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Ware Manufacturing Fun Tunnels Play Tube for Small Pets (Medium.)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001LUMU9M/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Ware Manufacturing Plastic Scatterless Lock-N-Litter Small Pet Pan- Colors May Vary (Regular size, not jumbo.)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003SLICDA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

JW Comfy Perch for Birds (Large, 36".)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002AR754/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Lixit Critter Space Pod 2 Large (You can hand these on the ceiling of the Critter Nation. My boys LOVE these!)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002X2NBNQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Lixit Lbg-16 Glass Small Animal Bottle 16 Oz (16oz is always best for rats because of the bigger water spout. I've found that smaller bottles are a struggle for my boys to get water out of, so I only use the small ones for rat carriers/transporter cages. Tip: filtered water is best for rats, so if you can, get a Britta water filter.)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002WYCFK0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Yummy Time Tiny Small Stoneware Pet/Dog Bowl
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NAUMYDC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I buy Harlan Teklad (Envigo) food blocks for my rats, which is one of the top two for rats (the other is Oxbow Regal Rat). Harland Teklad is hard to find though, so I buy mine through this animal rescue:
http://weecompanions.org/healthy-food

If you get these blocks, freeze them to extend their shelf life, and take them out from the freezer as needed to fill your ratties' bowls. Harlan Teklad is great because they have several formulas for rats based on their age, which is super helpful for their health. Young rats up to 8 months usually eat Harlan Teklad 2016 (16% protein), and after 8 months they eat Harlan Teklad 2014 (14% protein).

Also, I don't have a link for this, but the best laundry detergents to use to wash your rats' cloth toys or bedding with is one that's non-scented and is sensitive on skins.

Um, if I think of anything else, I'll add it. But for now, it's already a ton. :P Enjoy!

(And feel free to message me if you have any questions!)

My Syrian hamster has been very happy in this cage for the entire first year of his life so far. After a few days of exploratory climbing he has not once chewed on his bars or ever acted stressed because he wants out of his home.

30.5 x 8.5 x 18.5 inches:
http://www.amazon.com/Kaytee-Habitat-Multi-Level-Exotics-18-Inch/dp/B00CETSHN2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

Excersize:
I recommend purchasing a Wodent Wheel 11inch http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006JD8I2Y/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687462&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B005Y41UPQ&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1JBB5ENE1BEBPRFYR6JR

and Flying Saucer 12 inches : http://www.amazon.com/Ware-Flying-Saucer-Exercise-4-Inch/dp/B001AT62H0/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1462212985&sr=1-1-fkmr1&keywords=flying+saucer+hamster+11+inch

Bathing and Natural Nail Trimming:
Also pick up some flat Reptile Rocks for underneath his water bottle so he will trim his nails naturally and a large ceramic bowl (needs to be deep not so much wide) filled with Repti Sand Desert White (No Calcium) http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-ReptiSand%C2%AE-Pounds-Desert/dp/B0002DIZKC/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1462213181&sr=1-1&keywords=desert+white+repti+sand

My hamster is a fan of these Apple Orchard sticks for teeth filing though his lab blocks are semi hard and also good for dental health trimming.
http://www.amazon.com/SuperPet-Apple-Orchard-Sticks-Pieces/dp/B001CCXMP0/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1462213890&sr=1-2&keywords=apple+wood+sticks

After you get those things pick up this item as a natural grass burrow for him to sleep in and clean his cage once every week. Plastic burrow are just awful for air circulation, and my hamster never liked them at all when i didnt know any better.

http://www.amazon.com/Ware-Nature-Willow-Grass-Small/dp/B001ATBMCU?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00

For food I feed my hamster Higgins Sunburst and Kaytee Forti Diet Lab blocks everyday with fresh fruit and veggies every two days. Remember your hamster stomach is the size of your pinky finger nail so portion small. He loves 3-4 lab blocks a day with a small spoonful of nuts, seeds and fruit from the Higgins. Remember though 3 Sunflower Seeds max a day or they will get fat and unhealthy.

http://www.amazon.com/Higgins-Sunburst-Gourmet-Hamsters-Gerbils/dp/B009GHII5W/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1462213536&sr=1-1&keywords=higgins+sunburst

Looks like this but for Hamster not rat and mice:
http://www.amazon.com/Kaytee-Forti-Health-Mouse-5-Pound/dp/B001VJ56Z8/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1462213507&sr=1-1&keywords=kaytee+forti+hamster

For bedding you want UNSCENTED (it messes with their respiratory system if its scented) this Kaytee Clean and Cozy is what I use. Absorbs liquid good and keeps the smell down if its close to cleaning day.

http://www.amazon.com/Kaytee-Clean-Cozy-Small-Bedding/dp/B015MJB8PO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1462214215&sr=1-2&keywords=kaytee+bedding

and last but not least. Buy TWO water bottles in case one of them jams overnight you DO NOT want your hamster to suffer from dehydration. They do not need much water, but when they need it, they need it fast or will get sick quick. The kaytee water bottles have issues with the spout pointing straight so buyer beware. They often dont align properly into the cage bars. But they do work and dont leak for me. Stick with GLASS water bottles, it just tastes better honestly. 6 ounces if you will change the water daily. 12 ounces if you are not as attentive.

http://www.amazon.com/Kaytee-SSR61982-Animal-Bottle-12-Ounce/dp/B007TUNWM2/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1462214981&sr=8-4&keywords=kaytee+water+bottle

It seems like a lot of money at first and it is but this hamster will be your new furry friend and relies on only you to care for it, so give it the best and longest life possible. You will have one happy hamster if you get all that and will never need to upgrade anything when your Syrian grows bigger.

Oh I found it; Ferplast Sippy. Problem with this water bottle that I can possible see is that the hamster has to tilt it’s neck at a 90* angle to drink from it or stand on its hind feet and stare straight up in the air. Seems uncomfortable.

A possible alternative to a suction cup is to have a water bottle with a holder or dispenser; either place a regular bottle into a homemade from popsicle sticks or one like this

You could get a staybowl, they are specifically made to not tip over if you're concerned about them eating pellets off the floor. I notice that bowls with higher edges tend to get flipped more, one of my pigs does it all the time, I think she thinks it's fun.

I got a hay rack a lot like this. I hang it over his litter box since Wesley likes to eat and poop at the same time.

It's not that they lied, many of the employees just don't know that much about animals. At least the ones at my local store don't. The best water bottle I've used is just one of the cheapo rolling ball ones. All of the fancy spring loaded or glass bottles have never worked for me. Make sure you fill this type of bottle up all the way because water will leak out due to the air pushing the water out.


http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004LODPA8/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_cVOutb09MK68C

i personally have these for daphne but i dont think shes ever tried to tip her bowls. something like this might be harder for her to get her little snoot under to flip

i also found these and im squealing with how cute they are. i think i need them lol

We use this one which has a wire loop at the top and hang it inside the cage. Never any problems with it, except if I forget to prime it after refilling it. (Flick the ball a few times until it stops dripping.)