Question about water...

So, my little boy Lucky opened his eyes for the first time on Thursday morning I believe. I have since gone from bottle feeding kitten formula to mixing baby cereal into kitten formula in a small dish. He has been eating well and really seems to like the "mushy" food lol. Now my question is, I read that I need to start providing water for him once he starts "solid" food after his eyes open. I have bought a small-ish hampster cage that has a small water bottle thing (you know...the ones for rodents lol) and I've been leaving him that. How exactly do I "teach" him how to drink water? Is this something he'll learn on his own or should I be putting water in the bottle and giving it to him that way?

Also, I've bought lab block, which I know he probably won't eat alone for a few more weeks. Should I try crushing the pellets into small pieces and leaving that in his cage also? Is he also too young to start giving veggies and fruit to him?

Here is a picture to satisfy the cuteness meter :aww:
http://i56.tinypic.com/2n9c0b4.jpg

*edit* I just realized how gross my hands look...that is his food on my fingers! He's a very messy eater...lol

I'm glad to see he's doing well! Congrats! He should learn the water on his own, they all do. If you are nervous you can tap the water bottle end and let him lick the water off your hands. Eventually he'll figure out the loud tap noise = water. Veggies and fruits can be introduced in tiny increments. I like to avoid them until the rats are 3-4 months of age because they tend to get the runs. You may offer yogurt and crushing his blocks into smaller chunks is a good idea.

Rats have an incredible smell for water. They can usually figure it out just by smelling it.

Rats are pretty smart and once thirsty will quickly discover how the water bottle works. If you don't want to chance it the way I learned from the guy I buy my rats from is to take the weaned in you hand and gently brush his nose against the little ball bearing at the tip of the water bottle As I said rats are smart and everything will click once he feels the water on his nose.

I wouldn't bother breaking up the lab block. I put both the small pellets and the normal large chunks in with my lastest batch of weaned and they seemed to prefer to just grab a big nugget of lab block and nibble on it all day. Even at that age they have a pretty good set of teeth.

He's looking good, good luck!:rat:

That is so awesome that you have taken lucky from bottle feeding to starting on lab block!

Like many others have said, they will find the water bottle and since the chewing of the block will help with his teeth when he figures it out