Should I Leave Water in Puppy or Dog Crate At Night?

Last Updated on January, 2025

Should I leave Water in A Dog Crate at night?

As much as you want your dog to be hydrated and healthy throughout the night, it’s a nightmare to wake up to a wet stinky crate that has made it feel cold and uncomfortable all night, right?

While you prioritize your dog’s health and well-being, you find yourself in a dilemma of whether or not to leave water in your dog’s crate overnight. 

Is it necessary to leave water for my dog throughout the night? 

As a pet parent, you must ensure your dog drinks adequate water throughout the day. It must have 1 ounce of water for every pound it weighs. If it weighs 10 pounds, it must have 10 ounces of water daily. But drinking excessive water is also an issue. 

If your dog is healthy and hydrated, you’re on the safe side. And if it’s not, you still have a way out. I will give you a direct answer to all your concerns—no beating around the bush. 

This article will discuss whether it is the right choice to leave water overnight, how to decide, the circumstances to consider, the benefits, and the risks. 

Let’s jump in!

Should I Leave Water in a Dog Crate At Night? 

Would you like to drink water if you really don’t feel thirsty or when you necessarily don’t have the need to drink it? 

Obviously, No. To answer your question, “ Should I leave water in a dog crate at night” the answer is No. It’s not necessary to leave water in your dog crate or puppy crate overnight if they are healthy and hydrated throughout the day. 

Remember, as a pet parent; it’s a MUST to ensure your dog or puppy consumes good food, has enough exercise, and is hydrated throughout the day before getting into the crate. 

Just like you’d not like your bed wet or your bed stuffed with unnecessary clothes and toys, you’d probably not want the same for your dog. You’d want him to sleep and breathe in a clean, dry and spacious crate. 

As soon as your pet steps into the crate, he must be able to stretch, relax and feel assured that its crate is the cleanest and most peaceful spot to snooze off after a long, fun day. 

So it’s best to avoid leaving water in a dog crate as it occupies space and leads to wet bedding, bladder accidents, and discomfort.

They shouldn’t be waking up occasionally to drink water or to pee so that their sleep schedule is disturbed. 

Also, when “potty training” your puppy, leaving the water all night in the crate will lead to bladder accidents and make the crate a stinky pool that makes your puppy feel uncomfortable and disturbed throughout the night.

Make sure your pet’s crate is a place for comfort and security.

How Can You Keep Your Dog Hydrated All Day?

• Be aware of dehydration. If your dog is not consuming an adequate amount of water which is an ounce per pound that they weigh, you will notice a change in its behavior and appearance. Excessive panting, lethargy, drooling, wobbling, vomiting, dry nose, sunken eyes, and sticky saliva are all signs of dehydration in dogs. 
• A drinking schedule is vital, especially if your dog is highly active after a walk or every play session. When your dog gets excessively thirsty, the dog must properly intake adequate water. 
• Your dog must have access to fresh, clean water throughout the day. The water bowl should be full, clean, and drinkable. Please place it in an area where they tend to drink Water. And make sure the water bowl or bottle is washed thoroughly and is free from dust, dirt, or debris. 

When Should I Leave Water in My Dog’s Crate Overnight?

As much as you are concerned, before you decide whether or not to leave water in the crate, knowing the exact instances or the reasons that your dog requires water will help you decide whether it’s a yes or no to leave water in their crate. 

When Should You “Not” Leave Water in Your Pet’s Crate? 

Since you’re advised not to leave water in the crate overnight from the beginning, you must be clear that “healthy” adult dogs and your “healthy ” little pups do not require water overnight. 

It’s a No. You do not have to leave water overnight if they are healthy, hydrated, consume enough water throughout the day, and are not prone to chronic illnesses.

They do not need water overnight. Moving to your next concern.

Just like you have good and bad days, your dogs have theirs too. When your furry is unhealthy, dehydrated, prone to chronic illnesses, and exposed to warm weather, leaving a water bowl all night can help.

Here are a few circumstances you must pay attention to your dog and leave water in its crate overnight: 

• Suppose the crate is placed in a warm place, and your dog is NOT hydrated throughout the day. In that case, you might want to leave water overnight to prevent overheating and dehydration.
• When your dog or puppies are crated for extended periods which is for more than four hours at a time, you must leave Water in its crate overnight.
• Sometimes dogs can be affected by diseases or infections like Cushing’s disease, Addison, kidney disease, diabetes, or any other illness which leads to excessive thirst. As a result of these medical conditions, you may leave a bowl of water overnight and take your dog to a vet without delay. 
•  If your dog consumes excess food, which is rich in sodium, or it consumes food at night, it requires water. Make sure your dog has his food two to three hours before bedtime.
• When your dog has Cognitive dysfunction, it is a disease that is caused when it is aging and affects your dog’s brain. 
• If your dog is bored, stressed, and anxious, which happens due to less exercise during the day, When they are not loved and taken good care of. In that case, you must pay more attention, spend time with your dog and ensure they have water throughout the night. 

The Significant Benefits of Fresh Water for Your Adult Dog

Imagine a day without water. Dreadful right?

We’d probably not spend a day without water. It’s highly essential. Just Like us, clean, fresh water is top-listed for adult dogs. It cannot be understated. 

Listed below are some of the key importance of Water for adult dogs: 

• Water carries important nutrients in and out of the cells in your dog’s body, which aids in digestion and the absorption of nutrients.
• It regulates body temperature and absorbs heat from your dog’s body without changing it too much.
• Water is a key player in your dog’s digestive process. It aids in digestion. The kidneys intake large amounts of Water when eliminating waste. 
• Water cools your dog’s body as it naturally tends to heat up if it is highly active and covered with thick, fluffy heavy fur. 
• Your dogs can jump freely and play around as it lubricates your dog joints and helps with natural, painless movements.
• Stimulates your dog’s learning, memory, and thinking pattern as it improves cognitive function, making you feel more loved and happy with him.
• It cushions the brain and spinal cord to respond to stress healthily, control weight, fight infections, and have their sugar levels in check.

As you can see, adequate fresh water = a healthy adult dog. 

Why is Water Vital for Puppies? 

They require ½ cup of water every 2 hours to help their body digest. 

Remember, water facilitates the metabolic processes in your pup’s body, supporting everything from digestion to brain activity, blood flow, and breathing. It clears harmful toxins and transports oxygen. 

It also regulates your puppy’s body temperature in hot weather to avoid dehydration.

I know it feels like heaven to see your tiny paws hydrated, active, and healthy. As a result, ensure he drinks adequate water throughout the day to avoid dehydration or any other illnesses so that you don’t leave water in the puppy crate overnight.

The Risks of Leaving Water in Your Dog’s Crate Overnight 

Waking up to a soggy, wet, disgusting dog crate is a nightmare for any pet parent. And this is one of the reasons you should avoid leaving water in your frisky’s crate overnight. 

Leaving water in the crate at night conjuncts the space. It’s supposed to be a happy den where they can stretch and sleep peacefully. 

Most dogs are active in their sleep. As soon as they snooze off, they can topple the water bowl or splash water and turn the crate into a pool. 

This makes your dog wet and uncomfortable, and his sleep is disturbed. Cleaning the crate and having a dog with a disturbed sleep schedule can double the work for you, which is not something you’re looking forward to dealing with. 

How Do I Feed My Dog Water in His Crate?

Suppose your dog requires water in its crate. In that case, you can place a stainless steel bowl that fits well so that you don’t have to wake up to a crate which is a wet pool. 

you can choose a dog bowl attached to the crate’s side to avoid this. Or you can use a soft travel dog bowl that resists slipping, which is a welcoming feature. So they won’t switch around. 

The Must-Have Water Bowls to Place in a Dog Crate

Leaving water in the crate for your canine’s crate overnight is a No, but if you think your dog requires water due to dehydration or any chronic illness. Some easy-to-use, multifunctional water bowls and water bottles fit their crate.

Two-Piece – Crate Bowl

The two-piece – crate dog bowl is stainless and removable, making it easy to use and clean. 

Since the hanging dog bowl is multifunctional. Guess how?

Since it’s removable and easily attachable to the cage, you can effortlessly spoon the food into it. And the handle of the pet shovel has a clip function design which is convenient for safe food storage.

Job made easy!

Tip-Proof Water Bowl

Tip-proof water bowls give the best protection against spillage or leakage. If the lid is a little tighter, you can soak it in hot water and open it up. 

Lickable water bowls or bottles.

A lickable water bottle or a bowl can be your canine’s favorite. As it’s placed outside the kennel, it won’t make the place wet, and they are less likely to be chewed or damaged. 

Related articles:

• Should You Put Water in a Dog Crate During the Day?
• How to stop your dog from peeing in the crate?
• Should I Crate My Dog When I Leave the House?

FAQs 

Final Thoughts 

Overall, suppose your dog is hydrated and healthy. Water should not be left when they are crated overnight. It can turn the pleasant den into a wet and soggy den, making your dog feel cold and uncomfortable and causing health issues. 

Although water is vital, it has its own measures and feeding schedules. But if you feel your dog requires water in its crate at night in case of dehydration and is prone to chronic illness, leaving water all night is not a bad move. 

Remember your furry’s crate should always be a happy place to stretch, relax and doze off as soon as it gets in. It’s always best not to crate your dogs and puppies for longer periods.