Does your dog have access to water during the night

[sonarbear]

My dog sleeps in DC1's room (son is aged 18). He sleeps very well in his crate, which we leave open. Occasionally he will come out for 5mins or so but always return to the crate to sleep. We used to have a water bowl in the room but he VERY rarely drinks from it- even if he is encouraged to do so. Does your dog have access to water at night?

[HomeOfMyOwn]

Floral I'd imagine caged dogs are far less likely to have access, as it's harder to provide water without it getting on their bedding. Whereas lots of dogs who free roam in at least 1 room can more easily be provided with water and are more likely to have access to daytime water bowl.

[Floralnomad]

Yes I imagine you are right , sad really .

[FiveShelties]

My dog sleeps in a crate at night and I always put a bowl of fresh water in when she goes to bed. I cannot imagine leaving her without water, I thought it was a basic thing which let owners did. I am surprised at the number of people who do not give water overnight.

[Vallahalagonebutnotforgotten]

I was shocked with this thread and the number of people that did not give free access to water for their dogs.

If they are crated Ineedaholiday up thread posted the crate bowls that are excellent and prevent spills also you can use the road refresher bowls that can be tipped upside down and still do not spill water. These can of course also be used in the car so again your dog can have access to water at all times even car journeys.

[HomeOfMyOwn]

See I couldn't use most of the types of hook on bowl because my spaniels can remove the bowl from the ring, so I have the largest of the little savic bowls (technically sold for rabbits), which are just big enough for my cocker and cavalier to use. However in the hot weather I've ended up putting a normal spaniel bowl on the floor in there for larger capacity (cocker stamps his paw in it occasionally but I don't think it matters in the warm weather).

[tabulahrasa]

“I'd imagine caged dogs are far less likely to have access”

It’s one of the first things I looked into when I decided to use a crate, because he wouldn’t then have access to his other water bowl, there are quite a few different options.

Mine is fine with a hook on one, but you get screw on ones and non spill ones too.

[NutElla5x]

He has free access at other times
Well that's very generous of you Sofabitch I think it's disgusting that so many of you don't even bother to give your dogs the very basics,sorry.

[HomeOfMyOwn]

www.rspca.org.uk/whatwedo/endcruelty/changingthelaw/whatwechanged/animalwelfareact

Scroll down and there is a link to open a DEFRA document on what the animal welfare act means for dogs. On page 4 of that document (under the heading "how to provide a suitable diet for your dog") it states:

"Diet includes water, and dogs need
fresh, clean drinking water at all times."

[Justanothermile]

I remember once being accused of canine cruelty for not letting my dogs have access to water at night. Despite assuring folk that they both have a huge drink prior to settling down and never touching the water bowl that I used to leave out.

Dogs are surely the same as humans, some need a drink in the night and others don't?

[HomeOfMyOwn]

Then on the following page it says:

"What you should do:
• Provide your dog with clean fresh
drinking water at all times. If necessary
carry water, in a suitable container,
with you when clean water is unlikely
to be available."

Below that there is a bubble that says "Dogs need constant access to fresh, clean drinking water"

So I think people who are not providing water need to seriously consider why DEFRA state this about water in their document on what the animal welfare act means for dogs.

[Justanothermile]

I've cross posted. Mine never ever drink at night. They are treated like kings in every other respect.

[HomeOfMyOwn]

Dogs are surely the same as humans, some need a drink in the night and others don't?

The big difference being a human can get up and go and get a drink if they decide they do need one afterall - a dog does not have the ability to do that for themselves of their human does not provide accessable water.

Also a dog that is starting to get ill may not have shown symptoms (some dogs are very good at hiding it) and may need water one night. They won't necessarily wake you to tell you.

[Floralnomad]

Totally agree with pp , just because your dog has never required a drink overnight doesn’t mean that tomorrow night he won’t fancy one .

[NutElla5x]

I find it really strange how the dogs that are denied access to water overnight all have a HUGE drink before settling down for the night lol.

[BonnieLass5]

Yes, he has access to water all the time.

There's no harm in putting a fresh bowl of water in the room he sleeps in.

[Justanothermile]

Mine have had a huge drink of water before settling down since way before any water changes.

Tonight they will have water.

[BiteyShark]

NutElla5x mine doesn't. He has a drink around 5pm and despite opportunities until midnight he doesn't bother. In the hottest of days he might have another drink around 7pm. In the morning he often doesn't even drink until around mid morning. However, he eats wet food which has a substantial water content.

[Justanothermile]

Mine go to the toilet for a wee and poo at about 3pm too on a walk, and don't then go until 9am the next day. Despite us standing for hours in the garden or walking them. Perhaps it's my dogs that are weird.

[PUGaLUGS]

Yes she does. She sleeps in the utility where her mat and water bowl are kept. I always change her water when she goes to bed. No idea if she ever has a drink though during the night.

[Cheripie64]

My dogs always have access to water, one bowl in the kitchen, one in my room.
I don't understand why you wouldn't make it available. Basic care

[HomeOfMyOwn]

Genuine question - those who say their dog never drinks at night if water is available - how can you be sure? I mean obviously you'd see if they drank lots but what if they just have a few laps of it a couple of times a night - it's not really a big visible difference if they have just had a few laps.

[flowery]

”I tend to think free access to water is the default setting for any pet.”

Yes I agree. It’s no hardship to ensure your pet has access to water, therefore why on earth would you not?!

Our dog sleeps in the kitchen overnight which is where his water bowl is anyway. On occasions we’ve had to shut him away for a couple of hours in a different room, we always bring his water bowl through with him.

[Justanothermile]

Mine sleep in the study. There’s about three water bowls around the house for them to drink from. The one in the study used to slowly evaporate over time gradually and get a green rim round it. I used to wash and refill it every night of course, then I left it to see what happened. I did that a few times. Same thing.

They both like a grim puddle as drink of choice.

Conversely, every week I fill the car with about 7/8 bottles of water. There’s always a bowl in there. We like to drive and explore in the afternoon, me and the boys, and I’d never consider not taking water at any time of year.

I don’t think I’m too bad an owner.

[blueskypink]

They both like a grim puddle as drink of choice.

Ha ha! We have a big bowl of fresh water in the kitchen which I refresh several times a day (and our dogs have free rein in our house - no closed doors or cages).

They much prefer drinking from the pond - tadpoles, green slime and all 🤢

[HollyBollyBooBoo]

Yes but he never drinks from it. He sinks a whole bowl at about 5.30pm, has a little sip from the birdbath when he goes out for a wee at about 10pm and that's it - despite water being down all day and night for him.