Water Bottles

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

Reading how some doodles, and I guess some dogs in general, have the potential to make a huge mess when they drink water out of a water bowl, I've seen some ideas about mounting a water bottle on the wall for them.

I'm concerned that the dogs don't get enough water this way. Although I do like the idea that there won't be water all over my hardwood floors! 

What are your thoughts?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Considering that dogs lap water with their tongues curved under (this is something I recently learned), I'd be very concerned that they wouldn't get enough from a bottle, too. 

I've always used a mat under the water bowl. That seems to do a good job of keeping water off the floor. 

Here's the info on the tongue curved under, with video. Fascinating!

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/how-do-dogs-drink-water/311609...

[Debbie and Toby]

We have laminate floors, and Toby makes a horrible mess when he drinks...water all over the place and drips as he walks away.. we had to start keeping a rug under his dishes, you can also buy a dog food mats to put under the dishes that would also help keep water from going all over the floor, I would try a rug then place the dog food mat on top of the rug and see how that works... if you buy a food mat make sure to get one with the lip around the edge, that would prevent water from running off onto the floor

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Keeping their beards trimmed short also helps minimize the dripping as they walk away, lol. 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

It's always a huge mess after my big Doodle drinks.  I'm so lazy that I throw a few paper towels down and drag them around with my feet to wipe up the mess...LOL.  I would definitely worry that they might not get enough water from the bottles.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We have a very large travel bowl - called a Buddy Bowl, a rug and a mat underneath our water bowls.  We still get water dribbles but much less than without all that stuff.  Charlie plays in and bowl or bucket with water. He is a very messy drinker.

[Jenny and Cooper]

Hahahaha great pictures for the topic Nancy!

[Lynda Kamrath]

Yes, Charlie just looks like a water dancer.  My friend has a dog who loves to splash in water and uses every opportunity to have a little water dance.

[Jenny and Cooper]

Mary, I don't know much about the water bottle.  I use a big rubber mat under his water bowl.  I also have a small towel on the floor next to it ready to wipe his drips. Your post reminded me of this Off The Leash cartoon :)

[Sam&Bella]

Ha ha:)

[Sam&Bella]

I agree with everyone else:) I keep a rug under her water bowl, and when the dripping is kinda bad, I trim her beard a little bit. Bella drinks slowly,so her beard doesn't get really wet;)

[Lynda Kamrath]

Get used to it!  Dogs are messy drinkers, so put their water bowls and food bowls in general in an area that can take the water.  Wood and water just don't mix well, so put their feeding and drinking area in an area with tiles, vinyl floor coverings, or concrete.  It is easier to clean and will save you headaches. A mat or rug under their bowls helps.

I was concerned about water bottles in the car.  My dogs will not drink out of plastic bottles (especially when they have been warmed), so I need to keep their water in metal water bottles.  Then I pour the water into a drinking bowl for them to get a drink.  Groucho Too would not let plastic touch his lips - toys, bowls, bottles, anything.  So, we learned from him and our biking water bottles.  Always do carry water with you and make sure they get plenty of opportunity to get drinks.