Do Puppies Need Water At Night?

The Short Answer is:

Puppy dogs should not need water at night because they have had enough water during the day.

In this article you will know the answer to the query “Do Puppies Need Water At Night?“.

I wrote an article about how long puppies can go without water at night a while ago.

I also discussed some of the basics about puppies and how much water they should drink in the article.

Following the publication of that article a lot of people are asking whether puppies need water at night.

Therefore I have written an article that hopefully answers this more specific question and other related ones.

I have realized while posting this article that I have written a few other articles about puppies’ drinking needs.

In this article there are links to related articles.

Why do puppies not need water at night?

Puppy dogs should not need water at night because they have had enough water during the day.

In my opinion there are a few exceptions and I’ll discuss those a bit later.

I’d like to elaborate on that bold statement a bit.

Puppies are totally dependent on their mothers during the first three weeks of their lives. 

From the milk they get from their mother they get everything they need.

The kibble is mixed with water from week 4 as they are introduced to dry kibble. 

There is no separate water bowl. 

During the next few weeks any water they require will be mixed in with their kibble.

Water bowls are fine to introduce to young puppies but they will just play with them or jump in them so there is no harm in that!

When should puppies drink water from a water bowl?

So when will a puppy begin to drink water from a water bowl?

This will depend on how thirsty the puppy is which depends on how much water is mixed in with their dry food.

Around 7 weeks old is a good target to aim for.

Puppies are at this point weaned completely from their mother – the only food they are getting is from their owner. 

If they have been eating wet kibble for a few weeks start making the mix drier once they are confident and happy eaters.

Make sure they have access to a shallow bowl of water to drink from so if they fall into it they would not drown. 

In the beginning your puppy will not be a confident water drinker. It will take a week or so for him to figure it out.

Keep the water out of the sun for as long as possible too.

Mostly it is because the longer it is left out the more likely it is to get soiled by old food bits feces or even poop. 

Afterward I will explain why puppies need access to fresh clean water and how a water bowl can serve as a germ magnet. 

When should a puppy have their final drink before bedtime?

We need to plan with military precision when our puppies should have their last drink of the night if we are not going to leave them with any water overnight.

Though I’m only joking I think we should let them drink wait a bit and then take them out for one last pee before bedtime.

Based on this advice the puppies should drink their last drink of water two to three hours before they go to bed. 

You can then take your puppy out just before you head to bed which will allow them to have a peaceful undisturbed night.

How much water do puppies need to drink?

Therefore we need to ask how much water a puppy needs to drink?

As puppies grow the amount of water they need to drink increases. Different breeds are different sizes so puppies need different amounts of water. 

It is recommended that a puppy that has been weaned have 0.5-1.0 oz of milk. 15 to 30 milliliters per pound of body weight per day.

When my Golden Retriever puppies were eight weeks old they would have weighed about 10 pounds. 

Accordingly they would need to drink between 5 oz and 10 oz (75ml and 300ml) a day. 

Weight is one of the most important factors when determining how much water a puppy should drink but it is not the only factor.

Additionally the temperature and how active your puppy are are important factors.

Why is water so important to puppies?

Puppies require more access to freshwater than adult dogs.

There is a greater risk of dehydration in puppies than in older dogs.

The puppy is still growing so there are several reasons for this.

They never stop moving either which is another factor.  

Because blood is overwhelmingly composed of water water plays an important role in the growth process.

The role of the blood in all of this is crucial as it transports oxygen cleanses toxins aids digestion stimulates muscle growth and even helps the brain function.

Water is essential to all forms of life not just puppies.

A vet told me that dogs are made of 80% water while the human body is 60% water. 

When might puppies need water at night?

I stated at the start of this article that puppies do not need water at night but I also acknowledged that there were exceptions.

In hot weather or during periods of excessive heat this rule does not apply.

Though nighttime temperatures are always cooler than daytime temperatures some night temperatures will still be too hot for dogs of any age particularly puppies.

Additionally to leaving water for your puppy overnight you can open two windows if you want to create a “through the draft” and give your dogs access to rooms with wooden or tiled floors.

Why is freshwater so important to any dog?

Lastly I would like to discuss how important it is for puppies to drink fresh water to end my discussion about the importance of water for puppies.

Water bowls for dogs can be breeding grounds for germs and some of these germs are quite nasty according to scientists. 

The main culprits are E.coli salmonella and MRSA all of which are easily spread between dogs and their owners. 

A 2011 germ study shows that pet bowls are the fourth most contaminated item in our homes. 

The top three products are kitchen sponges or dishcloths kitchen sinks and toothbrush holders.

You are in for a surprise are not you?

It is a good idea to wash your dogs water bowl (using dish soap and water) at least once a day.

In comparison with plastic or ceramic bowls stainless steel bowls are the safest. 

The four things that puppies do need at night

While puppies can live without water at night there are other things they can not live without.

My list has been narrowed down to four.

1. Consistent routine

Including puppies and dogs everyone loves routines. 

Having the same thing happen night after night will be beneficial to your puppys health because it will help him understand what is happening which he will find extremely comforting.

You can also try going to bed without giving your dog their usual biscuit if you do not believe in the power of routine.

2. Consistent location

Routines include a puppy sleeping in the same place (as in the same part of the house) every night.

One night if you allow your puppy to sleep in your bedroom the next night you make him sleep in his crate in the kitchen.

3. A simple comfortable bed

It is imperative that your puppy have the option to sleep on their own dog bed.

Here we’re not talking about the equivalent of four-poster beds. 

Basically you just need a thin strip of foam or something similar.

4. Ideal sleeping environment

Last but not least puppies need a comfortable place to sleep that promotes sound sleep. 

Puppy parents need to provide their puppies with an environment that promotes good sleep.

Safety quietness warmth and dryness are important qualities. 

Amanda (Author)

With over a decade of experience, Amanda is a distinguished dog trainer. Her expertise in canine behavior has transformed countless lives, fostering harmonious human-canine connections. Through compassionate and personalized approaches, she empowers owners to understand and connect with their furry companions, creating a legacy of joyful tails and transformed lives.

Osvaldo Maciel (Content Reviewer)

Osvaldo Maciel, a stalwart in the field with 14 years of experience, is a revered dog trainer. His journey is defined by a profound understanding of canine behavior, shaping unbreakable human-canine bonds. Osvaldo guides owners to connect with their beloved pets, leaving an indelible mark of happiness and transformation. His legacy shines through the countless lives he has touched.