I use a bowl, but it's a good idea if they are familiar with water bottles that can be hung on outside of crate in case it's necessary for them to be crated for a period of time. That way they aren't dumping water bowls into their bedding.

I use a water bottle for Zaccheus. He has a cleft palate, and although he can drink out of a bowl, it gets in his nose, and he spends a lot of time snorting after a few laps. He has been using it since he was about 12 weeks old. Before that, I had to tube feed him water or he would "nurse" it from my finger(with the tube slid in beside it, administered via syringe).
Cricket drinks out of a glass bowl.

Oh, your poor baby! I'll bet he's just precious! :aimeeyork

I've been using water bottles for about 2 years now, my girls are both three years old (a few months apart)

I started because my little Luna would get INTO the water bowl, all four paws, and just play and splash:laugh: Yeah, it was cute, but then I had to wash the bowl and then refill it, only for her to do it again a very short time later. I was afraid that if I wasn't at home for a few hours, that the girls wouldn't have any water to drink, it would be all on Luna, the floor, and the furniture:laugh:

Someone here posted a link for me to a water bottle holder, since the ones I was finding could only be attached to a wire crate, and they weren't in the expen any more (they'd graduated to free run by then). They were super expensive, even before the shipping:eek: SO my hubby and his son made some similar to them. They aren't beautiful, but they work, and they're filled partially with cement so that they can't be tipped over.

The girls' faces aren't all damp and stinky anymore, my floor and furniture aren't soaked, and the girls' water stays clean and fresh! I change the water every other day (they're 32 oz bottles and there are two of them). To sanitize them, I put about 1/2 cup of vinegar in them, shake for a minute, then rinse very well.

Those concerned about the plastic, please look for bottles with the lowest possible number (the one in the little recycle symbol on the bottom of the bottle). The higher the number, the more chance of the plastic breaking down. I've replaced our bottles about every six months, as well, just to be safe.

:)

OH, here is the link, you can see that they'd be easy to make yourself. If my guy can do it, anyone can:laugh:

Time for bed:laugh: I totally spaced on the link:o HERE it is:p

Dog Water Bottle Stands by Mr Foo's Shih Tzu of Missouri

Nite:D

We use a bowl with bottled water poured in it:)

The face hair tends to break off when constantly wet. We use a water bottle, and have no problems with it. The stands are expensive so my husband made one and I decorated it. He won't drink forever, the "toy" will get boring, and he will only drink when he's thirsty. I also have a small water bottle that I take with us when we go on trips. That works great; I tip it upside down and hold it while they drink. No more spills, I love it:)

Morgan has used a water bottle all of her 3 years, starting at the breeders house. Its just so much cleaner. Her face stays dry and so does the floor. She's had the bottle in her crate since the day i brought her home so a bowl wouldn't take up extra room in her crate and she wouldn't be able to step in/play in it. its excellent.

Yours looks just like the ones we made:D Except yours is much prettier:thumbup: Maybe I should decorate ours up a little! We even used that same piece on the bottom, couldn't find that flange-type like the Shih Tzu guy's has. MUCH better than paying $75, though!

32 ox. Lixit
 

Sydney drinks from the 32 oz. Lixit water bottle attached to her crate. I also use a metal food bowl that attaches to the crate. I bought it in the rodent aisle of the feed store. The breeder used water bottles, so I just stuck with it. She does fine with it and she will drink from it for a long time occasionally. But because I'm potty training her (she's 14 weeks), she doesn't have access to it all day. Only at her 3 meal times, after play, and if it's dry and warm that day.

Thank you:) I found the bottom at a rummage sale for .50 cents, I figured as long as it fit a 4" pipe, anything would serve the purpose for a stand. I painted it and then put scrapebooking stickers on it that I bought at the dollar store. I think we have less then $5.00 into it. I want to make another one for the camper so I don't have to keep toting it back and forth.

Hmmm now I'm thnking about changing denzel to a water bottle do you think he will catch one he will be 1 next month

I'm sure that he would get the idea. It took a day or two until my gals got it;)

Wow, that looks great! What did your hubby use to make that?