food and water same time?

[jackdee]

I have read not to let dogs have their food and water at the same time, like give water 1 hour later ....what do ya think? I've always had it out for them any time they want it.---{ except after exercise, I give them a few licks and then they must wait a while.} ,,. --10 month old here.

[Marcino]

I've always allowed my boy to have his food and water togther, simply because he will only take a few licks during/after he eats. If he were to drink the bowl dry after eating each time I may think twice and only allow him a little water.

[Ayoka]

I always add water TO Bear's food...not enough to make it float but enought to make sure he gets SOME water!

The only time I would wait to give food is before or after and really strenuous activity like a flyball practice or an agility class where I let him drink as he wishes.

This has been reccomended to me by some dog-savvy friends as they believe it can help to prevent bloat. I know that I feel kinda gross if I eat too soon before OR after a long run so this makes sense to me. I usually wait until he is relaxed and no longer panting to feed...usually about an hour.

[Troodie's Mom]

I always have fresh water available, that kibble can get pretty dry, and she always is thirsty after she eats.

[groupieindenial]

Please do not limit the dogs water intake that long after feeding kibble. They need the moisture (water) to assist with digestion, since kibble is dehydrated. Most dog food bags have this warning.

[livertw]

Daisy's water bowl is always available.

[dogsbydoug]

The only time our dogs do not have access to their water bowls is when they are being filled or cleaned.

We have two large bowls at either end of the house, directly next to each dogs food bowl. They are filled each morning with fresh water, and cleaned weekly.

We also add water to their kibble.

[AngelBunny]

Our dogs always have access to fresh water. There's a big stainless steel bowl in the pantry and another one in the downstairs bathroom. Water in pantry is changed twice/day, when the dogs are fed and the bowl is cleaned with a sponge once/day. The water downstairs is changed each morning when I take a shower. It's cleaned when I change the water.

In the summer, water is changed more often since we don't have AC.

[SonnyRott]

My dog's water bowl is cleaned and filled twice a day, (after each meal). I use the same bowl for food as I do for water. It just became easier to use one bowl since I only have one dog and I always clean his food bowl with hot soapy water anyway, right after he eats.

I do not give excessive water directly after a meal or my dog will vomit up his entire meal.

I usually allow him a couple of gulps after he eats, then bring the water bowl up. After about 30 minutes, I put his water bowl down and he has full access to it the rest of the day. If I hear him gulping a large amount of water, I just break up his drinking so that his is not drinking it ALL at one time, or it never fails, he will vomit.

My last dog NEVER had this problem.

[poohbearsmom]

Kibble gets floated in water here.

We have buckets in everyone's kennel, cleaned/refilled 2 x day, plus a swimming pool sized s/s bowl o water on the kitchen floor.

We feed 2 x a day here, so that the amount per meal is not large, and the dogs here scarf their food down!

I do have a gorger (or two) in the house, and we have had a couple of break ins to the food closet... kibble is now in screw top containers to avoid this issue, because oldest boy knows how to open the closet door.

It's a good idea not to let the dogs drink too much too fast after hard exercise, but other than that, we keep the water available all the time.

Remember also, it may not be as hot this time of year, but the air is much dryer, so keep the water available for your pets.

It's also a good idea to keep some Bean-no, or Gas-x in your first aid kit for your dogs... just in case they do gorge, this can buy you time to get to the vet should you feel your dog is bloating.