Senior dogs are more vulnerable to viruses and diseases as they age – and not to mention their weakening bladders.
Hence, most dog owners resort to withholding water from senior dog at night to reduce accidents.
Whether it is truly a good idea or not is something my article will discuss in detail. Keep scrolling for more!
Why Are Owners Withholding Water from Senior Dog At Night?
Pet owners reduce the dog’s water intake to keep it from peeing in the middle of the night or running and barking around.
Not to mention, too much drinking might lead to water intoxication and bloating.
Preventing Accidents At Night
Accident prevention at night is one of the most common reasons for most owners’ decisions to hold water from senior dogs.
Many canine parents believe their dogs will not pee if no water is given to them before sleep!
And that conventional wisdom is actually true to a certain extent.
Given that not everyone loves the foul urine smell and overnight mess brought about by their dogs, it makes sense why the water-withholding practice remains common.
Preventing Health Problems
While nobody can dispute water’s benefits, too much of it may complicate health issues in canines, particularly those with medical history or sensitive systems.
Specifically, their biological clocks already declare midnight as the time for “resting,” meaning physical activities or thorough water processing will likely slow down compared to daytime.
As such, excessive water just floats around their tummy throughout the rest of the night, causing possible bloating and even risks of water intoxication.
So next time, do not exclaim, “It is just water. What can go wrong?”
My pooch once vomited due to too much drinking hours before bedtime. Some dogs even suffer from coordination loss and lethargy.
Preventing Destructive Behaviors
Water helps boost energy, heightening the dog’s playful and active mood after just a few gulps.
Needless to say, easy water access keeps the dog energized and hydrated throughout the day – to the point that it prefers running around all night instead of resting.
For people who just want a quiet, peaceful night of sleep, these loud disruptions from their dogs are certainly not welcome.
This issue drives dog owners to give less water to their canines when night comes, keeping these hyperactive animals from barking and running.
Is Withholding Water From Senior Dog At Night Always A Good Idea? Potential Risks
Not always. Water-withholding tactics should not be turned into a habit.
Otherwise, your dog will suffer from separation anxiety, urinary infections, water intoxication, systemic diseases, and parasites.
Separation Anxiety
This anxiety gets triggered when the pooch is left alone.
Feeling worried sick that you might not return to feeding it, the dog may launch into a series of unwanted behaviors (incontinence issues included).
And in more serious cases, these drastic reactions will start just minutes after you leave!
Other separation anxiety signals one should keep an eye on include:
- Excessive wagging and barking when left alone
- Destroying things around your house
- Attempts to escape from its room
The best way to treat separation anxiety is through gradual training methods, in which the dog is taught how to associate its lone moments with something more positive.
Cases in point are rewards, favorite toys, delicious meals, etc.
Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)
Is it OK to withhold water from a dog? Once or twice, yes. But make it into a habit, and you will put your dogs in quite a huge trouble.
Aside from bathroom accidents, your dogs should brace themselves against risks of UTI – a direct result of severe dehydration or bacteria traveling across the urethras into the bladder.
If the senior dog refuses to eat food but pawns madly on water, that is the cue for you to start increasing its water intake and access.
Plus, canines with UTI issues will urinate more frequently, lick their private parts, or even cry while urinating.
In certain cases, blood is even spotted in the urine! Failure to treat the problem on time will eventually lead to sepsis, bladder stones, and kidney damage.
Systemic Diseases
Senior dogs of more than 10 years are very vulnerable to chronic or genetic diseases.
Common disorders like Cushing’s Syndrome, Hepatic insufficiency, Diabetes insipidus/Mellitus, and kidney problems increase the dog’s urination and thirst.
To say these pets have turned into a pee factory is not even an understatement!
And that is all the more reason dogs should drink water at night frequently. Withholding the water from them worsens the symptoms.
Water Intoxication
For dogs whose water is withheld for too long, ongoing dehydration will condition the dog into drinking as much water as it can once the water is finally available.
Your dog will have higher peeing needs than ever before as a result. Worse, such behaviors pave the way for vomiting, water intoxication, bloat, and gastric torsion!
While bloat does not have severe long-term effects on humans, canines are an entirely different story.
Their stomachs trap air within and twist violently, blocking any blood-transporting vein in the body.
Emergency treatments and diagnoses are a must to ensure its life is not put in danger.
Dirty Water Sources
With no convenient access to water to quelch its burning thirst, it is only a matter of time before your poor dog starts looking for alternative sources.
Do not be surprised if the pets are willing to drink from extremely unconventional places (dirty puddles, sinks, toilets, human poops, you name it.)
And what are the percentages that these sources are clean? Less than 1%!
Puddles and toilets are hazardous, filled to the brim with parasites, antifreeze, and fertilizer, causing life-threatening leptospirosis and giardiasis symptoms.
And I have yet to talk about fecal parasites – whipworms, round, hook, etc. – which are also another headache-inducing issue.
So always remember to observe your canine friend’s drinking habits.
If the poor dog is found near unclean water too often, you clearly have been neglecting its water intake longer than intended. Fix the situation before things turn worse.
How to Prevent Peeing Accidents At Night
Is it OK to withhold water from a dog at night? Now we all know that the answer is No.
But how else are you supposed to limit the dog’s peeing accidents? Turn to the following tips instead:
Establish Regular Watering Schedules
A regular, consistent watering schedule must be established right from its puppy days.
Set up clear rules: for instance, the dog can only drink water 3 hours before bed.
That way, your pet can familiarize itself with the drinking pattern – while also having more than enough time to urinate before you turn off the lights.
Check to See Whether There Are Any Medical Problems
Most people believe that peeing accidents result from too much water. But what if there is more to that – such as untreated medical issues?
Dogs that suddenly pee everywhere around the house – despite never having done so before – are very likely to go down with UTI.
Dehydration only worsens the issues, so no wonder peeing accidents do not go away even after you have taken the water bowls away.
Take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as you can!
Extra notes: UTI is less common in small puppies; accidents happen mostly because of their tiny bladders and do not usually reflect any underlying problem.
Still, that does not mean you should cross the risks of UTI off the consideration list. If the puppy starts taking steps backward for no reason, seek professional help immediately.
Stay Away From Salty Treats
Tasty salty treats increase canine thirst and make these dogs crave fresh water more than ever before.
People assume it only occurs to hungry puppies, but in fact, senior dogs also struggle a lot with the issue!
Be more attentive to the dog’s daily treats from now on. Any type of food is fine, actually, but they must have lower sodium levels than average.
Cases in point are bone broths, liver munchies, grain-free commercial products, etc.
Always monitor for signs of excessive salt consumption to adjust their diets accordingly.
Take It Out For A Walk Right Before Bedtime
Always take the dog outside before he goes to sleep – even if it is just half an hour before bedtime. This is arguably the best and easiest way to keep accidental urination away.
Throughout the stress-free, comfortable walk, the dog’s bladder pressure will likely relax and let all the pee out before returning home.
Needless to say, both you and your pet can enjoy a peaceful, no-disturbance sleep that night!
Go Outside As Often As You Can
Senior dogs have very weak bladders, requiring more outdoor walks than their adult or middle-aged counterparts.
So if you really want to take canine care seriously, devote more time to your dog and take it outside as frequently as possible.
Some weaker canines even have to be taken outside every hour or after midnight.
Confine The Dog to Smaller Space
For odd reasons, dogs do not urinate as often when trapped in smaller areas – a habit you can take advantage of!
When direct supervision is impossible, put the dog into a crate (you can purchase water bowls specifically designed for pet crates, too).
And if crates are not a feasible option, then at least place them into a smaller room or sleeping space instead.
Do Not Make Them Exercise Or Eat Right Before Bedtime
Exercises and dinners should be strictly restricted to daytime.
Eating too late keeps the pet from winding properly, and it will stay up very late as a result – far past bedtime. Urination accidents after midnight are clearly inevitable in those cases.
Purchase Dog Diapers
Instead of limiting the water intake (and risking putting the dog in more health danger), why not use belly bands or dog diapers to absorb all urines and keep your house clean?
Dog diapers are distributed in every local store or pet shop. Just make sure the band/diaper has corresponding measurements to your dog’s anatomy and size.
How Much Water Is Recommended For Dogs Per Day?
A common rule is that senior dogs need 1 water ounce for every pound of body weight.
Suppose your dog weighs 25 pounds; then this number translates to 25 ounces of water or 3 cups per day.
Stop the water consumption about 1 hour before bed to keep urination accidents at bay, though.
Always place the water bowls in easily accessible places – so the dog can get to them whenever they want.
Since certain dogs have a tendency to knock the bowl over while drinking, purchase one with an anti-spillage design.
Most importantly, wash and refill the bowl often to keep the supply 100% fresh.
What If The Senior Dog Is Abnormally or Excessively Thirsty?
Why does my old dog drink so much water at night?
Ask yourself whether you have not paid enough attention to the dog’s daily water intake; that is usually the most common reason behind their excessive thirst.
Increase the amounts of water for them (1 ounce per pound, as per my instruction above).
And what if the dog still seeks water desperately despite the increase?
Then chances are your dogs might have been suffering from diseases – which should not be surprising, considering they already reach the senior stage.
Some common medical reasons behind abnormal water demand include:
- Bladder disease
- Kidney disease
- Cushing’s disease
- UTI
- Diabetes
In that case, you know the drill: turn to medical vets and experts for more advice.
FAQs
Can Withholding Water From Dog At Night Cause Constipation?
Yes. Lack of water is one of the recorded culprits behind constipation symptoms. As the dog loses more liquid than what it takes in, its stools become drier and harder.
Can Dogs Survive The Night Without Water?
Yes. Guaranteed that its daily water input is already sufficient, you can stop the dog’s water drinking 1 hour before bedtime and let it resume the next morning.
Conclusion
There are certain perks about withholding water from senior dog at night.
Still, the risks far outweigh the advantages, so it would be best to ensure sufficient intake of water while finding other ways to avoid urination accidents.
Write to me if you still struggle.
