Water

[kateincornwall]

I don't like the thought of taking up water bowls at all , we have two filled at all times, but Reuben has started to pig out on water late evening . Result is that despite going out last thing for a wee , he has been waking me at around 5.30-6 every morning desperate to go out . I cant grumble really , am not grumbling but he used to sleep on until 7 or even 8 ,and he is only 4 mnths old , just wondering if moving the water at around 9 would be a good or bad thing ?

 

[edzbird]

I'm not a fan of taking the water up. Ours have developed a habit of a having a long drink before bed, as if they haven't had the opportunity to drink all evening, despite having access to 2 big bowls of water. Often I have to get up to let Meg out, desperate for a wee or a poo, I'm just resigned to it now. The other night there was a fabulous clear sky with zillions of stars, so I enjoyed them while I stood butt-naked at the back door! (it was earlier than you, so no one else up to see me - ie the neighbours at the rear)

 

[SteffiS]

That’s interesting as Toffee started to do that at that age, drinking masses of water just before bed. I tried to work out why he should be so thirsty and it was a combination of a mad rush about and lots of bits of dry kibble as treats. OH started allowing a small drink and then distracting him, this worked well.
I know exactly how you feel about taking up water bowls, it doesn’t seem right somehow. Luckily Toffee has grown out of that now and is much calmer in the evening, sleeping from about 8, then having a last wee at 11 without wanting a drink in between.

 

[kateincornwall]

Then I will do as my gut reaction tells me and leave him be xx

 

[Beanwood]

Maybe soak his kibble? Or add some wet food to his last meal?

 

[Emily]

Ella always has a big drink of water before settling down for the night.

 

[snowbunny]

Luna has started with this since being here in Andorra. I think what happens is that the air is a lot dryer up here, and we have the heating on, which also dries the air. She has always been a thirsty pup, but it's really noticeable how much she drinks up here. Dry air = more drinking. Maybe it's the same with your heating being on? Could you try a humidifier in your house?
Luna can actually go all night without a wee if we tell her to settle down when she starts pacing, but J has been falling asleep in front of the TV recently and so he gets up and takes her out when she starts up! It's annoying because it's definitely habit-forming for her, and I've told him just to tell her to settle down, but he's a soft touch...

 

[Stacia]

Rourke doesn't appear to drink anything except a little water with a dash of milk in after breakfast, however I do put water on his kibbles. I throw his water out daily! Strangely enough, we walk with a greyhound who needs a lot of water, so the owner has a pink bowl and a bottle of water, George takes what he wants and she offers the rest to Rourke. Rourke is in there with great enthusiasm, body wriggling from side to side and tail wagging, so we call it Rourke's magic water. If I offer him water in the pink bowel, he is not interested!

Back to you @kateincornwall, I don't like the idea of withholding water, however, you could give him less and limit the amount?

 

[kateincornwall]

I reckon you are spot on Fiona @snowbunny , I don't like a hot house at all, but Paul does , I`ll turn it down a few degrees !

 

[Boogie]

Spencer is a total water addict. I call him a waterholic. He had the full range of kidney tests at the vets his consumption was so unusual and I worried so much. No issues whatever.

We are not allowed to take the water up at all so he needed a wee in the night for months

One good tip from my supervisor was not to refresh it in front of him, do it when he’s not around. Interestingly that did cut down some of his visits to the water bowl.

He’s fine now. He still drinks, and wees, more than any pup I’ve ever known - but he lasts fine from 10pm to 7am, then wees a river!

 

[kateincornwall]

That's interesting Mags , about not letting them see water being refreshed , I suppose they think that after we have gone to all that trouble , its all there for the drinking , right now, the lot ! x

 

[Boogie]

@edzbird said -

The other night there was a fabulous clear sky with zillions of stars, so I enjoyed them while I stood butt-naked at the back door!

What a picture you conjure!

I recommend a dressing gown!

 

[Boogie]

That's interesting Mags , about not letting them see water being refreshed , I suppose they think that after we have gone to all that trouble , its all there for the drinking , right now, the lot ! x

I think it just reminds them it’s there - like I wouldn’t refuse a glass of wine if you poured one in front of me.

Oh yes - and she suggested only putting a cm of water in so he didn’t drink the lot. I’d forgotten about that bit. It was quite an effort only having a bit of water in the dish and not refreshing in front of him!
.
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[Charlie]

I always leave water down for my dogs, freshened throughout the day and a fresh bowl before they go to bed. I wouldn't want to think they were thirsty. xx

 

[Emily]

One good tip from my supervisor was not to refresh it in front of him, do it when he’s not around.

I managed to create a water monster

Ella likes to drink from a full bowl of fresh water. She'll let me know when she thinks it should be topped up/refreshed

 

[snowbunny]

Shadow is the opposite. We have multiple large water bowls (four dogs!) - four in Spain, two in Andorra. Shadow will lick one of the bowls dry instead of taking a slurp from a more full bowl. If I freshen it in front him he looks at me like, "Why did you do that? It was just getting tasty!"

 

[kateincornwall]

And I had forgotten about the trail of water, from the bowl to all points in the house x

 

[snowbunny]

And I had forgotten about the trail of water, from the bowl to all points in the house x

Haha! Squidge does that, the others are all very dainty drinkers. I was very smug about that until she came along. I stood in a puddle by my desk the other day - that's miles from the bowl!

 

[Selina27]

Maybe it's the same with your heating being on?

My first thought too.

Cassie nearly always drinks from her bowl in the kitchen when I change it if she sees me, so I'd say there's something in@Boogie's suggestion. She seems these days to drink mostly when we are out walking, every walk has a stream, and then from the one I keep in the garden on our return. Makes for a lot less dripping on the floors!

 

[SteffiS]

And I had forgotten about the trail of water, from the bowl to all points in the house x

Just had great fun with the boys playing, I realised Toffee was running round the dining room seemingly oblivious to the fact he was weeing so I rushed him outside. Went back to the kitchen to get the cleaning stuff, the water bowl is upended - now don't know what's water and what's wee . Cue massive clean up operation.