INTRODUCTION TO BOTTLE GUARDS

AN EXPLANATION OF THE DESIGN AND FUNCTION OF  WATER BOTTLE GUARDS

OASIS® pioneered the invention and design of several kinds of metal guards intended to protect water bottles.  These guards are important.  They keep animals from chewing their water bottles and causing leaks. These guards allow the pet owner to invest in better quality water bottles, knowing that the bottles will survive gnawing pets.  In the case of some pet animals, such as larger hookbilled birds, chinchillas and squirrels, the appropriate guard allows a plastic bottle to be used which would otherwise not survive longer than a few days.  

Adding a guard is the only way to gain the benefits of using a non-breakable plastic bottle, rather than a chew-proof (but fragile) glass bottle, around enthusiastic chewers. OASIS bottle guards also offer several options when mounting or hanging the water bottles, allowing the pet owner to place bottles either inside or outside standard cages or solid-walled pet enclosures such as glass cages (aquarium style).

NOW YOUR BOTTLE GUARDS ARE AS COLORFUL AS THE OASIS BOTTLE THEY PROTECT!  The new DURA-COLOR™ powder coating process at OASIS yields a metal guard that is as shining as patent leather, and as durable as a fine automobile's finish.  Edges are rounded and blunter, and the guards look great in any cage or aquarium. DURA-COLOR coated guards are currently available in black, white and almond to match popular cage colors; or brilliant red or blue to add pizzazz to any pet's home.  Now adding a bottle guard isn't just a very practical decision, it's also a fun way to decorate your pet's habitat!

HOW OASIS WATER BOTTLE GUARDS WORK...
The simplest way to prevent chewing damage to water bottles and water bottle caps is to block or prevent access.  No plastic water bottle is immune to damage when a pet is determined to chew.  Any surface that can be reached by your pet is subject to possible damage by chewing and biting, even by a pet that has shown no previous destructive behavior.  OASIS Water Bottle Guards (see page 8) come in several styles, all designed to block access to  water bottles by fitting closely against the plastic bottles and caps.  All styles will mount or suspend the bottle into or onto your pet's habitat in a safe, protected manner.  It is  important that the guard fit the bottle both by size and design.  The OASIS Water Bottle Guards are specifically designed to match Oasis Small Animal Water Bottles, but may be suitable for water bottles produced by other  manufacturers.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE CORRECT WATER BOTTLE GUARD FOR YOUR PET'S NEEDS:
Select the guard that most closely matches the type of pet you have and the cage set-up you are using:
 
• TYPE-0  (Non-Chewer)................No guards needed (birds such as canaries, finches etc.)
• TYPE-1  (Occasional Chewer)....Shield-Guard™ = outside installation, or Basic Hold-Guard® = installation
• TYPE-2  (Moderate Chewer).......Shield-Guard™ = outside installation, or Capped Hold-Guard® = inside installation
• TYPE-3  (Determined Chewer)...Shield-Guard™ = outside installation or Corner-Guard™ = inside installation
• TYPE-4  (Destructive Chewer)...Glass All-Purpose™ Pet Bottle with stainless steel  bracket =  outside installation
• TYPE-4  (Destructive Chewer)...Hanger-Guard™ on 64oz. bottle

• Also Available: 64oz. All-Weather® extra-large water bottle with Hanger-Guard™ and 32oz. Glass All-Purpose Bottle (M-70 with large tip suitable for puppies, large birds and exotic animals) with Stainless Steel mounting bracket.
  
Listed here are some examples from each group:  TYPE-1...Guinea Pigs and most Rabbits if bottles are outside of cage, Hedgehogs; TYPE-2...Parakeets, Guinea Pigs with bottles inside cage; TYPE-3...Rats, Mice, Gerbils, Ferrets, Chinchillas, Hamsters, Squirrels, Chipmunks and Rabbits if bottles are inside cages; TYPE-4...Hookbill Birds, Ferrets, Chinchillas (any individual pet can develop into a TYPE-4 due to easy bottle access or boredom.)

Basic Hold-Guards®
All-Metal sizes to Fit 4oz., 8oz.,
16oz. and 32oz. Water Bottles

• MOUNTS INSIDE CAGE
  OR AQUARIUM HABITAT.
• Protects bottle against chewing
  and gnawing damage.
• Used successfully with small
  cage animals and birds.
• Mounts easily in wire cages.
• Adapts for use in carriers and
  airline-approved kennels.

Metal OASIS® BASIC HOLD-GUARDS® are uniquely designed to hold and protect OASIS® water bottles, with styles for both 8 ounce, 16 ounce and 32 ounce sizes.  The metal retainer ring flips-down to secure the bottle in holder.  Sturdy plated steel construction, with wrap-around guard, prevents gnawing animals from damaging the bottle and/or cap.  The #80052 8-ounce size can also be used with the OASIS #81010 Bird Bottle. Use the adjustable strap hanger and bend to fit most cages, carriers and aquarium tank-type environments. When used in aquariums, the strap hangs over the upper edge anywhere around the tank. BASIC HOLD-GUARDS can also be securely attached directly to wooden cage walls with an appropriate wood screw.

Capped Hold-Guards®
All-Metal sizes to Fit 8oz., 16oz.
and 32oz. Water Bottles

• MOUNTS INSIDE CAGE
  OR AQUARIUM HABITAT.
• Protects both ends of bottle
  against chewing damage.
• Used successfully with small
  cage animals and birds.
• Mounts easily in wire cages.
• Adapts for use in carriers
  and airline-style kennels.

OASIS®  CAPPED HOLD-GUARDS® are designed for OASIS® water bottles, with styles for 8, 16  and 32 ounce sizes.  The solid metal cap flips-down to secure the bottle in the holder and protect both ends of the bottle.  Sturdy metal wrap-around construction prevents gnawing animals from damaging the bottle edge or the cap. Adjustable metal strap hanger bends to fit most cages, carriers and aquarium-type environments. When used in aquariums, the strap hangs over the upper edge anywhere around the tank.  Wire cages usually have 1" x 1" wire or 1" x 1/2" wire mesh, which allows the hanger strap to pass through the upper edge where the top and sides are connected. CAPPED HOLD-GUARDS can also be securely attached directly to wooden cage walls with a suitable wood screw.

Shield-Guards®
All-Metal sizes to Fit 4oz.,  8oz.,
16oz. and 32oz. Water Bottles

• MOUNTS OUTSIDE CAGE.
• Protects bottle against chewing
  and gnawing damage.
• Used successfully with small
  cage animals and birds.
• The simple solution to
  water bottle damage...slides
  easily between the cage and
  the water bottle.

The metal OASIS® SHIELD-GUARD® protects pets' valuable water supply by providing a sturdy metal shield between the water bottle and the cage wires. It prevents animals and birds from having access to the bottle and cap, and eliminates chewing the water bottle through the cage wires. Simply place a SHIELD-GUARD between the cage and the water bottle and bend the tabs down to attach.  Suitable for use with small animals (such as hamsters, gerbils, hedgehogs, rats, mice, guinea pigs, chinchillas, ferrets and rabbits), and many kinds of birds and reptiles.

Helps tighten the fit of the mounted water
bottle; restricts up-and-down movement

Corner-Guards™
Two All-Metal sizes to Fit 4 & 8oz.,
and 8 & 16oz. Water Bottles

• MOUNTS INSIDE
  AQUARIUM
• Safe for use with very small
  pets such as exotic mice and
  dwarf hamsters.

The OASIS® metal CORNER-GUARD™ provides totally enclosed protection for water bottles that are used inside both wire and glass cages (terraria).  Suitable for small animals including mice, rats, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, small rabbits, reptiles and exotic specimens.  Ideal for small pets that tend to climb other style guards.

Each OASIS® CORNER-GUARD™  has two tube-holes, permitting the drinking tip to be mounted at different heights to accommodate animals of varying sizes.  The water level in the bottle can be easily observed through the corner of glass aquarium-type cages. The guard attaches with industrial strength self-adhesive hook and loop tape.  The guard is easy to remove and re-attach when servicing the water bottle.

Corner-Guards will fit All-Weather, Crystal-Clear or Bell Bottles.