Stainless steel toy causing extra thirst?

[bubs7]

First of all I would just like to say that I'm quite proud over myself for managing to upload the picture full-size all by myself lol

ANYWAY, I recently bought this stainless steel toy for Toni. I washed it, dried it and have double-checked it for rust. This is her new favourite toy (she bit me hard when I was going to take it out for a better picture). But I have noticed that since she started to play with she also drinks more. She seems fine otherwise. She plays for a few minutes and then go for a drink, then play again, then drink and so on. She seems to be drinking more just when she have been playing with it. Should I worry? Take it out? Or do you think that it is just the taste of metal that makes her more thirsty?

Thanks

[stace]

It won't be anything to do with the stainless steel. Nice toy though. The stainless won't rust. That's why they are so good for birds. You can wash them and don't have to worry.

[bubs7]

Yes I thought so as well, have also had an extra look round the cage and can't find any rust on the cage either. But isn't it weird that she has to stop for a drink every time she plays with it?

[Hezz]

It may be simply that she is licking it while she is playing with it and this is making her thirsty. As long as it has been given a good wash and rinse, all should be well. Just watch her and check if the water is going straight through her. Is she just having a sip each time, or is she at her water for a decent slurp? If you have a sipper drinker with the spout and valve (hamster or rat drinkers) it is easy to see how much they drink as you will see a bubble or two come up, or even sometimes not even that.

[bubs7]

Thanks Hezz and Stace. It seems to be small sips but very often? Have an open dish and she's pendling from the toy and the water. I'll keep an eye on her

[Hezz]

Something to try if this is worrying you, is not so much to do with the toy itself but the air in general ....... place some shallow bowls of water around the room to add humidity to the air. I only mention this as an aside as it seems the toy has brought on the extra need for fluid, but if the air is more humid this may help as well. The bowls need to be shallow enough so Toni can climb out if she decides to go for a dip. Pie plates are ideal