How to Keep Your Dog's Water from Freezing

Winter can pack a punch — especially when the temperature drops below freezing. If your pup enjoys frolicking in the cold winter air, you want to ensure he has readily available drinking water at his disposal. This advice may sound like a no-brainer, but water in a dog's bowl can turn to ice quickly — sometimes within a few hours, depending on the weather conditions.

If you're looking for ideas to keep your pet's water from freezing during the winter months, here are a few helpful solutions, tips and ideas.

Heated Outdoor Dog Bowls Are a Must in Cold Weather

One of the best long-term solutions to keep your dog's water from freezing is to use a heated bowl. Heated bowls and deicers are invaluable for keeping your dog's water ice-free throughout the day and during cold nights. A few solutions to consider include:

• The K&H Thermal-Bowl Heated Outdoor Water Bowl is thermostatically controlled to prevent your dog's drinking water from freezing, even in sub-zero temperatures. Its 5.5-foot power cord is steel-wrapped to avoid damage and discourage unwanted chewing.

• The K&H Universal Waterer Deicer is perfect for almost any sized bowl or bucket, whether aluminum or plastic. This deicer will keep your dog's water thawed yet never hot!

• The K&H Perfect Bucket Heater is a good option if you use a larger, bucket-type water reservoir for your dog's water. The deicer disc will keep pails up to 16 gallons of water ice-free. Your purchase includes a free cord safety clip to help keep cords out of your dog's reach, which is super handy.

Heated Outdoor Dog Beds Offer Extra Warm Benefits

If your dog stays outside for an extended period during the winter, heated bedding is a must! But what does heated bedding have to do with keeping your dog's water from freezing, you ask? More than you think. Interestingly, placing your dog's water bowl near heated bedding will also help keep your dog's water from freezing too quickly. The warmth of heated bedding can slow the freezing process by sharing its warm temperatures with the items around it.

If you're looking for a heated bed that suits your needs, any dog will love one of these heated outdoor bedding options:

• The K&H Original Lectro-Kennel Outdoor Heated Pet Pad has been around for over 40 years and is built to last with its durable ABS plastic exterior — and it's easy to clean! This pad warms your dog to her natural body temperature, keeping her warm and cozy, even in freezing temperatures — and its abrasion-resistant, steel-wrapped cord helps deter chewing.

• The K&H Lectro-Soft Outdoor Heated Pet Bed is the first soft, indoor or outdoor heated pet bed on the market, making it highly versatile. This bed is great in basements, garages, barns or patios — even in sub-zero temperatures.

• The K&H Deluxe Lectro-Soft Outdoor Heated Bed is unique because it's the only outdoor heated bed on the market that is also soft, has a bolster, and is safety certified. This bed even includes a free super-soft removable cover, giving you additional options.

Keep Your Dog's Water Bowl from Freezing in a Pinch

Eek! You didn't check the nighttime temps, and now they're dropping fast. What can you do while you wait for your new heated bowl to be delivered? Not to worry, you can easily find DIY ways to keep your dog's water bowl from freezing — everything from adding ping pong balls to your dog's water to re-imagining an old tire's insulation properties. However, many DIY suggestions are time-intensive, and some may be less safe than other options, so always check with your veterinarian before committing to a DIY alternative.

If you're in a pinch, you can always switch out your dog's water bowl every 4 to 5 hours, which should help keep your dog's bowl free of ice. For an added measure, consider using a deeper bowl to extend the time needed between switching — the more water volume, the more time it takes to freeze.

While switching out bowls is a great short-term option, it's probably not the best long-term answer, especially when such amazing long-term solutions are available.

You Can Keep Your Dog's Water from Freezing

Is it important to keep your dog's water from freezing? Absolutely! With a bit of planning and creativity, you can keep your dog's water ready, available and drinkable throughout the winter months. Keeping your dog warm and hydrated when the temperatures drop is essential to his overall health and happiness, so adding a heated water bowl and a cozy bed is an easy way to show him just how much you care.