cold water outside heated pails? - Page 1

 Okay, this is a new issue for me.  I've always lived in a situation where my dogs could come in from the outside thru a doggie door and get water, etc.  Now my dogs are outside most of the day in a dog run and the weather has turned in the northeast.  I'm looking for ideas on how to keep water available outside without freezing.  I did a search of the board but couldn't find anything. A little help please...

BTW, no access to electricity outside.  Battery operated heated pails? Thanks in advance...

No way to run an extension cord from garage or house, even through a window then seal window?  I'm in Minnesota and we keep water in the outside portion of inside/outside runs.  If we keep water on the inside portion of runs dogs will play in water and get their bedding wet.  Don't buy heated pails made for dogs.  For a 2-3 dollars more you can get a larger pail (about 4-5 gallons) for horses/large dogs that has a strong enough heater element to keep water thawed in even very cold weather (in extreme cold only fill about 1/2 full or top may freeze in temps below -10).  If you can't get electricity out under any circumstance; your only option may be to carry water out to dog in pails at least 4 times a day and let the dog drink his fill.  Remember dogs actually need and consume more water in the cold months then summer so having access to adequate water is every bit as important as hot weather.  One other note, if you are carrying water out to dog I'd split his feedings to minimize the chances of bloat as the dog consumes a lot more water in each opportunity to drink.  Coupled with a large meal this could lead to life-threatening bloat.  Dogs will lick ice but this in not adequate.  I don't know of any non-electrical options that would be safe for the dog.  Try to get electricity out to the kennel; even if an electrician may have to get involved.  Heavy duty outdoor cords can be run considerable distances without line loss and the pails use very little electricity.  We put retaining wall blocks 2 high around the pails to keep dogs from playing with the pails.  Pour water over the blocks to ice them in place and even the most persistent dogs will soon give up their desire to play with pails.  Maybe others have a different idea.  Good luck. 

These pails are available at any Fleet Farm type store that sell horse or animal supplies.  We pay $32.00 per pail. 

Living in Wisconsin I have to worry about the water issue also. Fortunately I have electricity out by the runs so I use the heated bowls. Another thing I do for the dogs is when they are given their food I put hot water in with their food. This way the dogs can warm up internally an I know they are getting atleast a certain amount of water. Yes it is true that the dogs need more water in the cold than in the hot weather.

We add water to the food bowls but not hot water. I heard that heated food or water can cause bloat so ours is always tepid.

My dogs get offered water every time they are moved in or out. I cannot leave heated buckets in the back yard as mine young dog destroys anything and everything. Sometimes they drink a lot and some times they don't drink at all.

I don't think I've heard of getting battery operated heated buckets, sorry!!!  I however have water bucket heaters that are stainless steel on the inside. They do cost a pretty penny but I've had them last up to 12 years. I've tried other heated buckets, and they have never worked. The ones I have work like a dream!!!  Maybe that could be a new invention (battery operated heated buckets).

It's cold here too, I have used heater's but you would need a scource of electricity or run a cord.  I'm not using any now.

Right now I break ice, water twice sometime's three times a day, and feed wet of an evening.

Its really easy to get ice out of stainless steel bowl's.

At least its easy to pick up frozen poop...lol

I also put hot water on my dogs food in the winter.  I have never had a problem with bloat associated to this practice!  My dogs love the warm food in their tummies and it makes me feel good too!

Vickie

www.PowerHausKennels.com

I think this is the link where I got my stainless steel water bucket heaters at. www.vetvax.com I was able to even get $10 off per bucket b/c the price was different from one ad to the other that they had. I purchased 8 of them.

Thank you all....

There are solar power horse waters that are used in the north, outside during the winter that work well.  Here is one...  you can google solar horse waterers and find more ;)  HTH!

http://www.horsedrinker.com/index.html

Laurie