4 month old kitten only drinks water from a baby bottle

We adopted our kitten, Scout, when he was 8 weeks old from a lady who found him orphaned by his feral mom (she has a lot of ferals in the area so she assumed that was the case) when he was 2 weeks old.  So he was hand raised and a bottle baby.  She said he transitioned to kitten food with no problem but was unable to get him to drink water out of a bowl.

Here we are two months later, I have transitioned him to a quality canned food and all is well....EXCEPT he will still only drink water from the same nursing bottle he used as a 2 week old kitten.  We have tried both tap and bottled water, multiple bowls, and even a fountain all to no avail.  While it is quite adorable and I'm not worried about dehydration...it is a bit frustrating when I'm in the middle of something and he decides it's time for a drink which often leads to a nap, in my lap of course.

I've just assumed it's a comfort thing but it would be nice to know he is willing to drink from a bowl if I'm busy or, God forbid, not home when he's thirsty.  Any suggestions?

How cute! My rescued kitten had a hard time giving up his bottle too. I would offer water and then cuddle her with out bottle . She transitioned in a few days. They are sweet!

How adorable, he will pick it up soon enough. Enjoy babying him with his bottle.

You can add some water to his canned food, that should be enough for his needs if he doesn't eat any dry food. Honestly the canned food by itself should have enough water for his needs but adding a tablespoon or two just to be sure wouldn't hurt.

The bottle thing is certainly only for comfort. It may prevent him from developing an ear-suckling problem when he gets older so I wouldn't discourage it. Enjoy the cuteness!

I'm sure you have other things to do than feed a baby who should be weaned, but hands down that's the cutest thing I've seen all day!

How irresistable! Good sign that he'll be a people cat. If you think he'll outgrow it, I'd consider just letting him do so naturally, as you might miss the days later on.

But yeah, I can see how it can be inconvenient. Have you tried to entice him with a water fountain?

I'm not going to lie, it is the cutest thing I've ever seen too however it is inconvenient. He's a huge people cat, has to be in the room with us all the time, preferably in a lap but within pouncing distance will do.

We have a fountain that he occasionally looks at. I suppose I'll just carry on with the bottle for now and hope I don't end up with a 5 year old bottle baby.

Hey!
I had another thought...what about using a rabbit bottle? The kind that's attached to something? She can suck on that herself and leave a water bowl beside it so she maybe clues in.

Do you think it would help if you put something like KMR, cat milk, or tuna water in a bowl? Just to get him used to the idea.

I have thought about the hamster/rabbit bottle. Maybe I'll give it a try.

I have tried to lure him into water bowls with many things...no luck

Him!! Sorry, I said her! I'd try it, it couldn't hurt. It is cute but really inconvenient, especially because she'd be weaned by now if she was with mama

My 4 month old kitty doesn't drink much water.   He only eats wet food so I'm assuming he get most of his water from his food.     He will drink Cat Sip though.  Maybe try putting some of that in a bowl and see if he will drink it.