Whether or not to put water in a dog crate is a common question for dog owners. The quick answer is that healthy adult dogs should have access to water at all times when crated during the day or night. However, there are some exceptions to this general rule.
Providing water in the crate can help dogs stay hydrated, prevent dehydration or overheating, allow them to eat treats or chews, and reduce the urge to urinate as soon as they are let out. However, it does come with some risks such as potential spills and accidents. Ultimately, the decision depends on factors like your dog’s age, crate training status, duration in the crate, and health conditions.
Should I Put Water In My Puppy’s Crate?
For puppies under 6 months old, it is not recommended to leave water in the crate unsupervised. Young puppies do not have full bladder control and are likely to spill water or have accidents. If crated for more than 2-3 hours during the day, it’s best to plan on taking puppies out for potty breaks and to give them access to water under supervision. Then remove the water again before putting them back in the crate.
During the night, puppies should be able to sleep through without needing water. Remove water a few hours before bedtime and return it first thing in the morning. If your puppy whines or cries at night, they may need a bathroom break or comfort, not necessarily water.
An exception is on hot summer days or if your puppy’s crate is in a very warm area. Dehydration is dangerous for puppies. In those cases, you may want to provide water overnight but use a special crate designed for holding water without spilling.
Should I Put Water In My Adult Dog’s Crate?
For healthy adult dogs, it is generally recommended to provide water in the crate during the day while you are away at work or occupied around the house. Adult dogs have control of their bladders and bowels and can go longer without needing bathroom breaks.
Leaving water in the crate allows them to hydrate as needed and prevents dehydration or overheating. Adults can also handle treats, chews, or puzzles with water available to help prevent boredom or anxiety.
During the night, adult dogs should be able to sleep without needing water. Remove water a few hours before bedtime and return it first thing when you wake up. If your dog is drinking a lot overnight, they may have a health issue or anxiety that causes excessive thirst. In that case, talk to your vet about solutions.
On hot days or with dogs who are crated in warm rooms, it can be wise to leave water overnight as well. Monitor to make sure they are not over-drinking due to stress or illness.
Tips for Providing Water in the Crate
If you decide to leave water for your dog in their crate, here are some tips for doing it successfully:
- Use a crate designed for holding water – They make specific bowls, bottles, and dishes that attach to crates without spilling.
- Use a heavy ceramic or stainless steel bowl – This prevents tipping over
- Get a no-spill bowl – These have ridges to prevent splooshing water out
- Use a bowl that attaches to the crate door – Keeps it stable and in one place
- Freeze ice cubes in the water – Makes it last longer on hot days
- Consider a timed water dispenser – Dispenses fresh water at intervals to keep it clean
- Only provide a small amount of water – This reduces any leakage if spilled
- Place water away from bedding – Keeps bed dry if water is tipped
Monitor your dog when first giving access to water in the crate to make sure they are drinking appropriately. Remove access if you notice excessive drinking or accidents.
Risks of Providing Water in the Crate
While giving dogs water in their crate has benefits, there are also some potential risks and downsides to keep in mind:
- Spills and accidents – Dogs may knock over bowls or play in water leading to wet crate conditions.
- Increased urination – Access to water may mean more frequent potty breaks are needed.
- Hindering house training – For young puppies or untrained dogs, unsupervised water access could undermine housetraining efforts.
- Water bowls as toys – Some dogs may start playing with, chewing on, or tipping over water bowls.
- Dampening of bedding – Excess moisture can lead to moldy bedding over time.
- Dehydration if water runs out – Always monitor water levels so it is constantly available.
Have a plan for dealing with potential spills and extra bathroom trips if providing water. For puppies or untrained dogs, no water may be the better option.
When Should I NOT Put Water In a Dog Crate?
There are some situations where it is typically recommended to NOT provide water in a dog crate:
- Puppies under 6 months old who are still potty training
- Dogs who are left crated for very short periods of less than 2-3 hours
- Dogs who spill water or play with bowls in the crate
- Right before bedtime or during the night with most adult dogs
- Dogs showing signs of incontinence or loss of bladder control
- Senior dogs who urinate frequently or have accidents
- Unmonitored dogs who over-drink due to stress or health conditions
- Right after drinking large amounts of water
- Right before or after eating a meal, to prevent bloat
Use your best judgment based on your individual dog’s age, behaviors, and house training progress to decide when it is wise to provide water in the crate. If avoiding accidents and promoting housetraining is a priority, no water may be the best approach.
Should I Put Water In a Dog Crate at Night?
Most dogs do not need access to water in their crate overnight while sleeping. The exception is on very hot nights or for dogs showing signs of illness or distress.
It is best to remove water a few hours before bedtime once your dog has had a chance to drink their fill at dinner or on an evening walk. The first potty break in the morning should be as soon as possible after waking to let them drink and relieve themselves.
Puppies under 6 months and senior dogs may need overnight access to water depending on health conditions. Hot summer weather also makes water a must overnight. In those cases, monitor for spills or accidents.
For anxious or stressed dogs who over-drink, crate access to water at night can exacerbate the problem. If daytime supervision and stimulation are not resolving the excessive drinking, talk to your vet.
How Long Can a Dog Go Without Water in a Crate?
Dogs should have access to fresh, clean drinking water at all times when crated during the daytime or evening hours while people are home and active. The following are general guidelines on how long most healthy dogs can safely go without water access:
| Dog’s Age | Maximum Time Without Water |
|---|---|
| 8-12 week old puppy | 2 hours during the day, 6-8 hours at night |
| 4-6 month old puppy | 3-4 hours during the day, 8 hours at night |
| Healthy adult dog | 4-6 hours during the day, 10-12 hours at night |
| Senior dog | 2-4 hours during the day, 8 hours at night |
However, these are general guidelines only. Factors like temperature, exercise, health conditions, stress, and pregnancy may decrease the time a dog can safely go without water.
During high heat, high activity, or known health conditions, access to water should be more frequent. When crating for short durations under 4 hours during the day, most adult dogs do not necessarily need water provided.
Monitor your dog closely for signs of dehydration or distress. Excessive panting, lethargy, sticky gums, and skin tenting indicate dehydration. Seek emergency vet care if you notice these signs after a period without access to water.
Conclusion
Giving your dog access to water in their crate requires some planning and monitoring but can be done successfully. The central consideration should be your individual dog’s age, health, house training status, and how they behave with water in the crate during supervised trial periods.
In general, puppies should not have unsupervised access to water until fully housetrained around 6 months old. Healthy adult dogs can safely be provided with water while crated during the daytime hours so long as spills, accidents, and over-drinking are not issues. Most dogs do not require water overnight while sleeping but exceptions can be made during hot weather or for senior and ill dogs requiring extra hydration care.
Always observe your dog’s usage of crate water bowls when first introducing them. Have a plan for cleaning up spills and providing extra outdoor potty breaks. Avoid leaving dogs without crate water access for longer than 4-6 hours during the day or 10-12 hours overnight whenever possible. With some preparation and training, leaving water for your dog while crated can be a safe and humane choice.