Making sure your pet has easy access to fresh water is very important.
Water is vital to their overall health.
But what about at night?
You may be wondering, ‘is it necessary to give my dog crate water before bedtime?’
Should I leave water in a dog crate at night? The answer, in most cases, is no! Healthy dogs do not require water at night if they’ve been sufficiently hydrated throughout the day. Your dog’s crate should be associated with sleep only. It should be a place of security and comfort, not one for eating or drinking.
Now that you know it is best not to put water in your dog’s crate at night, let’s take a closer look at why in more detail.
We will discuss the importance of water for dogs as well as why it is best not to give it to them in their crates at night.
We will also look at when, if ever, you should leave water in your pet’s crate and if you do, which bowls are best to use.
So, if you’re ready to learn more about the dos and don’ts of crate water, then let’s get started!
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Should I Leave Water in a Dog Crate at Night?
As a general rule of thumb, you should not leave water in your dog’s crate overnight, especially if it is a puppy.
When you are ‘potty training’ your puppy, crate water at night will likely increase the chances of accidents.
Puppies can fill their bladders quickly and easily.
This will make the crate messy and uncomfortable for your pet.
In turn, healthy adult dogs do not require crate water at night either.
If they have access to clean, fresh water throughout the entire day, that should be enough to sustain them overnight.
The only time you would need to provide crate water for your adult dog is if it spends more than 4 consecutive hours in the crate during the day.
As long as your pet is healthy and housetrained, it is okay to leave water in the crate.
The Importance of Water for Dogs
Clean, fresh water is vital for dogs.
Without adequate hydration, your pet’s body will not function properly or carry essential nutrients to the functioning cells that make-up its organs and tissues.
Water also aids in digestion.
Water keeps your dog’s body cool.
Dogs have a tendency to overheat if they are very active or covered in thick, heavy fur. Water helps their bodies regulate internal temperature.
The Importance of Water for Puppies
Pound-for-pound, puppies require more water than their adult counterparts.
When puppies are being weaned or starting to eat solid foods, they need ample amounts of fresh water to help their little bodies properly digest the nutrients.
On average, most puppies require at least ½ cup of water every 2 hours or so throughout the day.
Do Adult Dogs or Puppies Need Water in their Crate during the Day?
If your pet needs to be crated during the day for more than 4 hours, it will likely need water.
For healthy adult dogs that have been properly housebroken, this should not be a problem.
However, this would be a problem for puppies.
They need more frequent access to fresh water.
As a rule of thumb, your puppy should never be crated for more than 2 hours without the chance to drink.
When Would My Dog Need Water in its Crate at Night?
There are some circumstances in which your dog may need crate water at night.
Where you place your dog’s crate
If the crate is kept in a fairly warm area, then access to fresh water is a must to prevent your pet from overheating or becoming dehydrated.
It is best to keep crates in a cool, sheltered area with good airflow.
Never leave your pet in a crate outside in hot or humid weather, without access to water.
Crated for more than 4 hours
Another time you may need to put water in a crate at night is if your pet will be in it for more than 4 hours at a time.
It is not recommended to crate your dog for longer than 6 hours, as it need to be able to move around or go to the bathroom at least every 3 or 4 hours.
Long periods of time in a crate can have a detrimental effect on a dog’s physical and mental health.
Your dog is sick or has a health condition
If your dog is sick and suffering from Cushing’s disease, Addison’s disease, kidney disease, diabetes or any other illness that makes it excessively thirsty, you may want to leave a little water in the crate.
Not too much, as this may increase the likelihood of an accident.
It is important to note that pets with chronic medical conditions should never be left alone in a crate for extended periods of time.
Reasons your dog may need to drink more water than average: 1. They have a health condition/taking medication which makes them more thirsty 2. They only eat dry food 3. They exercise alot 4. During hot and humid weather conditions.
The Best Type of Water Bowls to Place in a Dog Crate
Leaving bowls with water and/or food in a dog crate is generally not recommended.
It can lead to spillage, making an uncomfortable mess as well as increasing the likelihood of a bladder accident.
However, if you plan to leave your pet in a crate for more than 4 hours or if you have a pet with a medical condition that makes it inordinately thirsty, then you should consider leaving water and/or food in bowls or bottles that are tip-proof, clippable or lickable.
Tip-proof water bowls
Tip-proof bowls work well in a crate. They provide the best protection against spillage but can be hard to open.
Here’s a tip: soak the bowl in hot water to soften the top. It will help make it easier to remove the lid for filling and cleaning purposes.
A good tip-proof water to check out online at Amazon.com is the Road Refresher Bowl.
Clippable water bowls
Clippable bowls are very sturdy and attach snugly to the bars of the crate.
They are ideal for preventing spillage, even when your pet paws at it!
Though they can be a bit difficult to remove, once you get the hang of it, these bowls are the best choice for most crates.
A good example available online at Amazon.com is the Snap’y Fit Stainless Steel Pet Bowl. The versatile design of this bowl allows for elevating eating and drinking with less risk of spillage or mess.
Lickable water bowls or bottles
Lickable bowls or bottles look just like those used for hamsters, gerbils or guinea pigs!
Because they are attached to the outside of the crate, they are less likely to be chewed or damaged. Look for a BPA-free option.
Larger dogs can have larger-sized PET bottles.
One lickable water bottle to consider, available through Amazon.com, is the Poodle Pet Water Feeder Bottle. It is ideal for puppies and small dogs and is made from eco-friendly, pet-safe materials. Rated 4/5 overall by over 300 contented customers, it is easy to use and affordably-priced at under $15.
Related Questions
Should I leave food and water in my puppy’s crate?
It is best to avoid leaving food and water in your puppy’s crate. There are 2 consequences of leaving water in a puppy’s crate:
- Puppies fill-up on water very quickly and they could have a ‘potty accident’ in the crate.
- Being playful and somewhat clumsy, they could tip over the food and/or water bowl, making a mess in the crate.
Should you leave water out for your dog all day?
A healthy adult dog should have access to clean, fresh water throughout the day, especially if they are active or spending a lot of time outdoors in warm weather.
Overnight, however, it is best to remove the bowl to eliminate the chances of an unfortunate bladder accident.
How much water does a dog need a day?
Generally speaking, most dogs should drink 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight daily.
For example, a 10-pound dog requires at least 1 cup (preferably more) of water each day.
Energetic dogs and puppies need more.
It all depends upon the animal’s activity level, size, age, and overall health.
What is the best puppy crate?
Find out by reading this article.
Conclusion
To conclude, water should not be left in a dog crate at night, especially if your pet is a healthy adult and properly housetrained. Leaving water in a crate only increases the chances of spillage messes or bladder accidents.
In the evening, the crate should be associated with sleep, rather than eating or drinking.
Only puppies, dogs with chronic illnesses or those left in crates for more than 4 hours should be given food or water.
Pets that have been sufficiently hydrated throughout the day do not require additional water at night.
Making sure your pet has easy access to fresh water is of the utmost importance. Keeping your dog hydrated throughout the day is vital to its overall health. But what about at night? Right now, you may be wondering to yourself, ‘is it necessary to give my dog crate water before bedtime?’
Should I leave water in a dog crate at night? The answer, in most cases, is no! Healthy dogs do not require water at night if they’ve been sufficiently hydrated throughout the day. As well, the crate should be associated with sleep only – a place of security and comfort, not one for eating or drinking.
Now that you know it is best not to put water in your dog’s crate at night, let’s take a closer look at why in more detail below. We will discuss the importance of water for dogs as well as why it is best not to give it to them in their crates at night. We will also look at when, if ever, you should give your pet crate water and if you do, which bowls are best to use.
So, if you’re ready to learn more about the dos and don’ts of crate water, then let’s get started!