Was curious if anyone here has used water heaters before with success? If so what kinda setup did you use that worked?
(i have not used them before, and for those of you who live in the colder climates know what I mean when I say it takes at least three to five times more work in the winter compared to the summer.)
I dont have any water buckets outside during the winter months. All I have is a feed bucket... I just have 2 cups worth of water in the food bucket so that its like a soup. And I feed raw so the hounds get plenty of water from the raw meat that they eat... no need for any other extra water during the winter months...
Originally Posted by ZeroCool
I feed a raw diet as well, but in the winter months where I'm located water can mean life or death 2 cups would not be enough here with as active as my dogs are!
anyway was curious if anyone had tried some type of water heaters and had success with them.
how cold does it get?? Yes I use heated water dishes. But they are no good if it's real cold. There is a pond warmer available from Jeffers, and I'm sure other places to drop into buckets or dishes.
I have no experience with water heaters, but most of the folks I know in cold country do as Zero Cool does.
In TN, when it got around 4 degrees, I would also tote a 5-gal container of WARM BROTH for the dogs, every morning and evening, which they accepted with relish.
I got a brand new 5-gal plastic kerosene container (unused of course), and I would put 1 chicken bouillon cube at the bottom, and then fill it up with VERY warm water from my bath tub. Then I would take it around the yard and give maybe 2-4 cups of water (whatever they would drink their fill of) ... and the heat warmed them up, while the slight smell of "chicken" made them drink their fill of it.
Again, doing this morning and evening resulted in at least two "drink till I am full" opportunities for the dogs. Also, make sure that their house openings are VERY SMALL, so they have to squeeze their way into it, that way less cold air comes in. And, naturally, that their houses are packed with straw.
Jack
Thanks all for the replies... I already do something similar like you guys have mentioned. I don't necessarily NEED water heaters I was just curious as to whether anyone had used them with success.
i dont like to add water to the raw food. cause the more watery the food, the faster it passes the stumic, the less value the food will have for the dog.
its freezing for 2 days now here, so didnt have to add any water up till then.
i like the chicken bouillon tip, you're saying you add warm water? you cooking that before or not, i thought warm water contains more bacteria then cold water.
thanks
Can anyone confirm this? I'm not in the coldest area but I've noticed my bulldog barely touches his water bowl during the winter. I too add water to his raw to up his H20 intake.
I remember one of those old school sayings not to drink water till after your meal has digested. Then there's those other sayings that water helps with digestion with meals.
robert lemm was saying that on his dvd as well if you looking for confirmation, sorry jack i know he aint your biggest friend. lol but it sounds logical and i noticed my dogs were losing weight on the same amount of food with water added so, figure it aint to much extra work to create some extra drinking moments. same counts for cold food i heard. dont know if thats true but i always put it out the fridge 30-40 before feeding.
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