When to give water and when not to?

[Laura]

Can someone clear up when to give water and when not to?

I read that you have to wait after they eat, can't eat after they've had water, and you have to wait before and after excercise. But when I go to the dog park and Chance (18 months) is running around and it is hot I always give her water. Also I have her water bowl next to her food bowl when she eats and she drink some water after she eats.

[Judi W]

At home, I have water available at all times. When we're traveling, I have a cooler bungee corded in place so the dogs can drink as needed. When biking or hiking I carry water for the dogs. About the only time I don't have water available is when in the ring or on reasonable walks. I don't know of any dogs that have died from drinking water, but I sure know some that have died not having water when needed.

[Laura]

Judi W

I guess that waiting business is a bunch of nonsense.

[Rott-Wiley]

Absoluetely, they should have access to clean fresh water 24/7 unless they need to be npo for any procedure being done by your vet.

[Judi W]

I do not feed prior to heavy exercise or training. I don't want the blood supply that is needed for exertion and/or cooling to be headed to the stomach to digest food. I also want an alert and energetic dog.

[chivas]

Bloat is what comes to mind with that not watering after feeding, but that isnt really the case. Bloat comes from activity too soon after feeding, I remember hearing never to water your dogs after feeding years ago but thought that misconception was finally cleared up.
Kim

[rottnelmo]

I put water *in* the food to help prevent bloat! I *always* have water down...

but I do the same as Judi W, I dont feed at least an hour before training, but I always keep water with me....taught Elmo to drink from a bottle, very handy.

[Rottlva]

I have a dog who has bloated due to excessive water intake during exercise ( he ate alot of snow while out on an off leash romp). We were well aware of the condition of bloat, but never thought snow eating could have caused it. What the vet thinks happened was the snow turned into water in the belly, and pounded back and forth like a pendulum creating gas within the stomach.

This dog bloated a second time, we don't know exactly why, but there was a lot of water gone from the water bowl from when we last saw it.

This dog is still alive. I think that by being obsessive over water intake and dehydrating the dog, even ever so slightly you can actually increase the dogs need for large quantities of water thus increasing the risk of bloat.

Both my boys, are on free choice water. After a heavy excersise, they are allowed a small amount of water, and are offered small amounts every 15 minutes until they are cooled down, then they can have as much water as they'd like.

[Judi W]

Was the dog that bloated a Rottweiler? Did you have his stomach tacked?

[Rottlva]

NO, he was a 35lb cocker spaniel Mix, as square as they come with a broad chest!!!

We were advised not to do the stomach tack due to the extreme invasiveness of it. We did a course of metoclopramide along with supplementing Beano, fennel seed and pepperment, and we put both dogs on a raw diet to increase the moisture content in the food thus decreasing the total water intake that they need.

[Judi W]

I asked because bloat is somewhat associated with certain breeds and Rottweilers are not one of them. I'm not saying one would never bloat, but is would be quite unusual.

[Rottlva]

;) Judi, we were just as suprised when he started showing symptoms of bloat. As a rottweiler owner I have been sure to be educated on the sypmtoms of bloat..... and this little guy has none of the typical body characterisitcs which can higher the likely hood of bloat! So, we were quite suprised ourselves!!! Heck, the vet was a little suprised..... But, as you said, it can happen! There was even thoughts that he may have a tumor or some internal abnormality causing the bloat, but all x-rays came up clear.

I should add that the bloat did not turn into a GDV where the stomach flipped, the stomach just filled up with a dangerous amount of gas requiring decompression. This is another reason why we didn't have the stomach tacked. I suspect if the stomach had flipped, he wouldn't be here with us today.

[chivas]

What does peppermint do????

[Rottlva]

Peppermint aids in flatulence and abdominal pain, it's also know to help with IBS.

Just as an aside, I wonder short of the good breath factor, if this is why peppermint is offered after meals. Also, if you've been to an Indian restraunt, they give candied fennel seeds to chew after the meal..... HMMMMM>

[chivas]

flatulence - oh boy - can i use that here! :)
How do you give it and what type?