Do readers put a bowl of water in their dogs crates at night time and during the day when they leave them?  I am unsure as to whether I should get a water bowl to attach to Desi's cage.  She sleeps right through the night and I don't think she gets thirsty but as summer is coming I am not sure what to do.  If I put water in the cage won't this make her wake up in the night to wee?

I like to leave water available for my dogs at all times.  Even slight dehyration can lead to problems with UTI, kidney stones etc.  As adults I find they can manage their thirst without having to wee through the night and as puppies I just get up to them :)  I think it is especially important if you feed a dry diet.

I agree entirely with Isabel! Fresh water ought to be available at ALL times. If Mack needs a wee in the night, well I get up and take him out. I was the one who brought him into my life - so whatever his needs, I will accommodate.

I just put a bit of water in Coppers bowl in case she gets thirsty, cause if she needs a wee she just does it in her cage, although shes now 6 mths old, so just able to hold it for the night!!!

You can get the coop cups which attach to the side of the cage. Unless your dog is a very young pup she/he shouldnt wee any more unless they are dri nking gallons of the stuff :)

I agree, fresh water should always be available and I always leave some during the day and night.  Likewise, if you are concerned they might not be able to hold it during the night, it's just a case of having to get up to them.

Agree with the others, fresh water should be available all the time. I`ve found younger dogs tend to drink more than the older ones as well. :)

Christine, spain

Like said, all our dogs hasve water avaliable in the day, even if they are only going in the cage for an hour say.  We have a non spill in its thing that attatches to the cage so it doesn't get knocked over and this is permently in there, they do drink over night (have to fill it up some mornings after filling in the evening) but their normal drinking water is in a bucket (doesn't have to be filled up as much!)

Archie, my 9 week old wire fox terrier, has water in his crate at all times.  I just don't think it's fair to remove a basic right that all living things should have.  I wake up thirsty in the night, and have a glass of water by my bedside table, and why shouldn't my dog have that too?  Yes, he gets up to wee at night, as his bladder's only small, but I take him into the garden.  At the moment though he is lasting around 5/6 hours before he needs to pee at night, compared to 3 when we got him a week and a half ago.  If your dog is older I don't think this will be a problem.

i have ordered a bowl that attaches to the cage so that she can have water at night.  I am sure she will be fine and if she needs to wee I will take her out that is fine.
Thanks to all

Just some useful info.  I use a plant pot holder from Ikea as a water container for pups in the crates.  It is a miniature Galvanised bucket with handle, (holds roughly a pint of water) and I attached the handle to the crate bar with a Clip from the dogs lead, dont know what they are called but you can buy them singly from Pets at home.  This enables pups to have water at all times and they are unable to knock it over, even if bouncing around playing in crate. I use them in the car too.  £2.99 :D