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?

[Justanothermile]

They love a foul puddle or pond don’t they. We are on holiday at present, with the dogs, found a clear running and stunning waterfall, they drank from a icky puddle.

[HomeOfMyOwn]

My dogs don't like puddles or ponds. They will only drink fairly fresh tap water or from the lake on our walks (but never the ponds). The cocker even gives me an dirty look and walks off in disgust if I haven't changed his water, by the time he goes over to his water bowl, after dinner. He comes running back as soon as it's refilled.

[starcrossedseahorse]

I am absolutely shocked and disgusted by owners who restrict their dog's access to water. WTAF? Dogs must have 24/7 access to clean drinking water - it is a very basic requirement for an animal. And in this heat?

Worse still are those idiots who lock their dogs in cages overnight with no water - wake up and start treating your dog properly FGS.

[starcrossedseahorse]

And those poor caged dogs not allowed water at night in case they 'make a mess' in their cage who have a massive drink before bed - why do you think that might be then?

[starcrossedseahorse]

Water spills on wooden floors can be a problem plus I don't need to keep water in the bedroom for reasons above. Works for us.

It works for your convenience as a human being (who cannot seal a wooden floor) - your poor dog just has to lump it.

[starcrossedseahorse]

Nope, never seen the need for it. We used to when he was a puppy and there was space in the crate with the wee mats and small bed but he's now massive and it wouldn't fit. He's used to it though and will normally have a drink before bed.

You have never seen the need to give your dog water at night? What about what your dog needs?
If a water bowl will not fit in to your cage then your cage is too bloody small for your dog.

[BiteyShark]

starcrossedseahorse get off your highhorse. My dog wakes me up for night time toileting if he needs to so he knows how to wake me up for a drink if he wanted one. He sleeps right beside me so I know if he gets up for anything.

[weegiemum]

my dog has access to water 24/7.

Still prefers drinking out of the toilet bowl. He'll make his way from en-suite to bathroom to downstairs loo and only when he cant get into any of them will drink from his bowl. Disgusting creature!!

[tinstar]

Why do people feel the need to put their dogs in cages overnight? I can see an argument for using one when they're puppies possibly, but beyond that why?

[tabulahrasa]

“I can see an argument for using one when they're puppies possibly”

Well the plan with mine was that it was for when he was a puppy and when he needed to go up a crate size I just wouldn’t replace it.

However, he then developed health issues that meant he had to go on crate rest after operations, then he developed behavioural issues caused by the medical issues that mean he needs to have somewhere he’s happy being if strangers are in the house...

Also, he has a bit of a death wish, apparently electricity cables are fun to chew... and Kirby grips and coins should be dog toys.

Add in a bit of an obsession with licking the cat whether she wants to be or not and he’s just safer being crated when alone.


Besides, he likes it, he has other beds, he chooses the crate to lie in mostly anyway.

[ToothTrauma]

No, he’s crated. He loves his crate and will get in a miff if he thinks he’s not been locked in early enough

Loads of bowls dotted about the house though so during the day he has as much as he would like.

[ToothTrauma]

Oh meant to add - my dog is raw fed so doesn’t drink as much as a dog who is fed kibble.

[Ruffian]

Strange type of dog that 'loves' being locked in a crate but if you say so..

My dog has access to water at all times, sleeps downstairs and I don't think he drinks much usually but during the heatwave the bowl would be nearly empty in the morning when I came down. I wouldn't dream of preventing access to a drink.

[ToothTrauma]

I mean, I think it’s strange that you’ve never heard of some dogs loving their crates, but there we go. They’re all different. My dog likes being crated and dislikes Tom Hanks. There’s no accounting for taste

[tinstar]

Toothdrama - why do you and other people who cage their dogs always refer to them as 'crates' ( the definition of which is "a slatted wooden box used for transporting goods") rather than 'cages' - which is what they actually are?

[missbattenburg]

Toothdrama - why do you and other people who cage their dogs always refer to them as 'crates'

I don't cage my dog.

I refer to them as crates.

[tinstar]

Missbattenburg - why? They are cages rather than crates. So why don't you want to call them by their real name?

[missbattenburg]

why don't you want to call them by their real name?

Want doesn't come into it.

I see them much more often referred to as crates, by all sorts of people and institutions so I follow suit. I occassionally see them referred to as cages but more often than not this is by people pushing an agenda and using language to do so. I am not so stay clear.

In all honesty, I don't really give a shit what they are called so long as other understand me when I say "crate" - which is pretty much the point of language, imo.

[elQuintoConyo]

ConyoDog has a bowl of water in the kicthen and another on the balcony where she spends the whole day in the breeze (between walks). They're both constantly checked for topping up. She sleeps on the floor of our bedroom, about where i'd put my feet on gettng out of bed! But being asleep myself, i've never noticed if she's had a drink during the night. We have a portable collapsable water bowl for when we're out and about, too.

[tinstar]

Actually, I think the people 'pushing the agenda ' are people who refer to cages as crates in an attempt to normalise an inherently cruel practice.

[BiteyShark]

My vet calls them crates. In the shops they are called crates. In most discussions they are called crates. Therefore people tend to use the term that is understood by everyone.

[missbattenburg]

are people who refer to cages as crates

That's the point I am making. I refer to them as crates and have no agenda because I don't use them. I don't care what they are called but they are called craates far more often than not, and not just by people who use them.

e.g. The RSPCA and the Dog's Trust both call them crates. The Bue Cross call them 'indoor dog kennels', weirdly.

[tinstar]

Biteyshark - but it's a euphemism isn't it? They may be referred to as crates but it's interesting that those who use them seem to object to the use of the word 'cage' which is by far a more accurate description.

I'm really appalled by people who cage their dogs overnight without water.

[tabulahrasa]

People call them crates because that’s what they’re called...

I mean in real life I quite happily call it a cage, or jail tbh, but when I want people to actually understand me without having to interpret what I mean, I use the word that means that actual object.

“an inherently cruel practice.”
It’s not inherently anything - like most other products designed for pets it just is and whether it’s cruel or not depends on the human using it and how they use it.

[missbattenburg]

It's only a euphemism if you think cage is a worst term than crate.

Both are equal, I think.