Should You Leave Water in The Dog Crate?

Leaving water in a dog crate is a common debate among dog owners. On the one hand, it seems cruel to deprive your dog of water for hours while being crated. On the other hand, providing water runs the risk of inevitable accidents and spills. So, what's the right answer? Here's what you need to know about leaving water for dogs in crates.

The Benefits of Leaving Water

Dogs need access to fresh water at all times. When crated during the day or overnight, leaving water allows them to stay properly hydrated. Signs of dehydration in dogs include lethargy, loss of appetite, excessive panting, dry gums, and sunken eyes. Ensuring water is always available prevents these issues.

Letting your dog drink freely also reduces the urge to gulp down water rapidly when finally given access. This decreases their risk of bloating, a life-threatening condition caused by drinking too much too fast.

Overall, leaving water shows care for your dog's health and wellbeing. As pack animals, dogs see their owners as family. Providing water demonstrates you are answering their basic needs.

The Downsides of Leaving Water

The most obvious downside is the mess that can ensue by supplying water inside a confined crate. Excited puppies or sloppy adult dogs may tread through the bowl or spill its contents. This leaves you with wet dog paws and a soaked crate floor each time your dog drinks.

Accidents also frequently occur when there is an available water source. Most dogs instinctively avoid soiling in their immediate area when crated without access to water. However, the proximity of water cues urination and makes accidents more probable.

If your dog's crate is too small to accommodate both a water bowl and potty area, this can be problematic. Even well-trained adult dogs may have submissive urination issues when crated with water.

Tips for Providing Crate Water Safely

If you want to leave water but avoid messes, consider these tips:

• Use no-spill bowls secured to crate walls at ideal height for your dog. This prevents tipping.
• Place beds and blankets away from water bowls to keep them dry if spills occur.
• Use a container like a hamster style water feeder to provide access through prison-bar style crates.
• Buy a crate designed specifically for providing internal water access without leaks.
• Place water outside the crate near the door if the size prevents interior access.
• Limit water 3 hours before crating to allow time for potty breaks.
• Crate pups and un-housebroken adults only for short periods before accidents arise.
• Remove water at bedtime to prevent overnight accidents.

Should You Provide It?

The decision about whether to leave water ultimately depends on your individual dog and lifestyle. Consider how long they will be crated, crate setup, age, accidents history, and health conditions. If you have an adult dog crated only moderately or have a way to meet their needs, water can likely stay. But for young pups, dogs with medical issues, or those crated extensively, removing it may be safest.

Leaving water shows care but causes hassles. Take precautions based on your dog’s needs. As long as they don’t show signs of dehydration or distress when waterless, removing it for short durations is generally fine. Pay attention and problem solve when issues arise. With some planning, both you and Fido can stay happy!