Combination cage and watering device permitting automatic removal of

Abstract

A watering apparatus for supplying water from an outside system to an animal confined in a cage maintains an isolation barrier and has an outlet through which animal bedding and excess water escapes when the animal stuffs bedding in the area surrounding the water supply. The cage is defined by an interior and an exterior surface, a top, a bottom, two opposing ends each having a top and a bottom portion, and two opposing sides. The apparatus includes a internal cup that passes through an aperture located in one of the two opposing ends. A slot in the internal cup allows the animal to access the outside source of water. The apparatus also includes a flexible disk with a cutaway portion and a slit to receive the outside watering system. The cutaway portion of the disk, in combination with the shape of the cup, forms an outlet on the exterior of the cage. The space between the cup and the flexible disk defines a V-shaped cavity that flares outwardly from the slot in the cup toward the backing plate and flexible disk. When an animal stuffs bedding into the area surrounding the water supply, the bedding falls downwardly from the slot, through the outlet, and away from the interior of the cage. This prevents the water valve from being clogged and prevents any excess water from leaking into the cage. The cup in combination with the backing plate and flexible disk also prevents airborne contaminants from entering into the cage.