I have been trying to train my two boy kitties to drink from a water bottle for about 6 weeks with limited success. They both will lick the tube and drink from the bottle when I put flavored water in it or baby food on the nozzle but they do not go to it just to drink since their bowl is still available. From what I have read it is time to take up their water bowl and they should start drinking from the bottle.
I am ready to take them to the next step so I plan to show them the water bottle again tonight and then take up the bowl and if I donâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t notice them drinking from the bottle by tomorrow evening (approx 18-24 hours) I will put the bowl back down and start training again from the beginning. I believe that since they already know there is water in the bottle they will instinctively go to it when they need to drink and their bowl is missing. My issue is if they donâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t figure out the bottle right away they will have no access to water until I give the bowl back. I will be home with them this evening but I will be sleeping for part of that time, and at work for a large part of tomorrow. How long is it safe for them to (potentially) be without water?
Additional Info: They are both males under 2 years of age with no known medical issues. They have unrestricted access to dry kibble and each get one can of wet food at night.
I am ready to take them to the next step so I plan to show them the water bottle again tonight and then take up the bowl and if I donâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t notice them drinking from the bottle by tomorrow evening (approx 18-24 hours) I will put the bowl back down and start training again from the beginning. I believe that since they already know there is water in the bottle they will instinctively go to it when they need to drink and their bowl is missing. My issue is if they donâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t figure out the bottle right away they will have no access to water until I give the bowl back. I will be home with them this evening but I will be sleeping for part of that time, and at work for a large part of tomorrow. How long is it safe for them to (potentially) be without water?
Additional Info: They are both males under 2 years of age with no known medical issues. They have unrestricted access to dry kibble and each get one can of wet food at night.