Old fashioned ceramic hot water bottle for rabbit cage heating.

[john.thorpe1952]

I came across this idea quite by chance the other day and thought it might be worth sharing it with members.I actually bought an old fashioned stoneware hot water bottle( see photo) from a local jumble sale and whilelooking online to see what value it had,came across a post forone on sale.the seller happened to mention that it was also a safe way of heating a rabbit cage,and I must confess that the idea hadn't occured to me before,so must give full credit for this to them rather to myself! I'm in England,and the item was manufactured here for many years before rubber hot water bottles and electric blankets.It may well have been made in other countries of course, and hopefully you'll be able to find something similar online wherever you live.The idea is simplicity itself,you fill the vessel with hot water,screw down the cap and place in your bed,or wherever you want to heat.from a rabbit or small animal perspective it has great benefits,since the only part which might attract chewing attention is the cap,the rest being stoneware pottery. Of course we now have microwaveable packs which are also very good,but have the disadvantage of potentially being chewing targets for eager little chisels! I hope this suggestion helps a few owners and their animals,and would love to hear if anyone has used it already and to what effect.

 

[Preitler]

Hm, I wouldn't have thought that it gets so cold in England that heating for rabbits is a thing.

Also, with bottles of any kind, how long do they stay warm? I guess that one would be rather good in that regard, rather thick stoneware insulates a little.

My prime concern when it's below zero is their drinking water, I use electric silicone heating pads (10W/12V on an adjustable power supply) under their crocks for that, and I also use those to heat one corner of the nestboxes when it's cold.