Does Your Puppy Need Water During the Night?
Should You Take Your Puppy’s Water Away at Night? (Please Don’t!)
I was chatting to some puppy owners the other day. They were struggling to get their puppy to sleep through the night.
He was waking up at random times. Sometimes he needed the toilet, and other times he didn’t.
During our conversation, they mentioned something that sparked a thought.
They said that quite often, when he comes out of his crate, he wants a drink.
The Advice About Taking Water Away at Night
When we chatted a bit more, it turned out they’d been doing what lots of people do and researching online.
They’d come across advice suggesting that if your puppy routinely wakes you up for toilet trips, you should lift their water at around 8pm.
The idea is to stop them having access to water overnight.
Please don’t do this :0)
One of the Five Freedoms of animal welfare is freedom from hunger and thirst. This includes having ready access to fresh drinking water.
It’s one of our dogs’ basic welfare needs. And that doesn’t stop just because it’s bedtime or because they’re sleeping in a crate.
Don’t know about you, but I take a drink to bed with me at night!
Why Puppies Need Access to Water Overnight
It’s particularly important as we head into winter and start putting the central heating on.
Our homes can become quite warm and dry. Our dogs still need access to water, whatever the weather.
A Practical Tip for Puppies Sleeping in Crates
What I often suggest for puppies sleeping in crates are the bowls that attach to the side. They’re a bit like the ones you’d use for rabbits.
That way, if your puppy moves around during the night, they’re much less likely to knock the bowl over.
And it saves you wondering whether that wet patch is a wee or spilled water!
I spoke to these owners again last weekend and, touch wood, their puppy does seem to be sleeping a little better.
Whether that’s down to the other things we’ve put in place or a combination of everything, who knows.
But it’s a good reminder that the advice we find online isn’t necessarily the best advice for our puppies.
And is why I am always happy to answer questions 🧡
About the author
Kate is a qualified dog trainer (KPA-CTP) specialising in puppy training and behaviour. She holds an MSc in Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare and is a Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB), with over 10 years’ experience helping puppies, dogs and their owners.
