For pet owners in colder regions, ensuring a constant supply of unfrozen water for their animals during winter is a common concern. Access to water is crucial for pets daily, and this need becomes even more critical when their primary diet consists of dry food. Dry food, while convenient, lacks the moisture content of wet food, making water intake essential for hydration. When temperatures plummet, keeping water from turning into ice can seem challenging, but thankfully, there are several effective methods available. Some solutions are designed to completely prevent freezing, while others work to delay the process, giving you more time between refills. The best option for you will depend on your specific circumstances and environment, but with a little planning, you can ensure your pets always have access to liquid water, no matter how cold it gets.
Electric heated water bowl
Electric Heated Water Bowls
If you have access to an electrical outlet near your pet’s feeding area, an electric heated water bowl is one of the most reliable solutions to guarantee a supply of unfrozen water. These bowls are specifically designed to gently warm the water, preventing it from freezing even in very low temperatures. It’s worth noting that heated bowls can cause water to evaporate more quickly, so it’s advisable to choose a bowl with a generous capacity, ideally around one gallon or more, and make it part of your daily routine to check and refill it.
While some pet owners consider using heated bowls for wet food as well, be aware that the gentle warmth can cause wet food to dry out relatively quickly, potentially making it less palatable. Electric bowls are available in both stainless steel and plastic options, offering a range of choices to suit your preferences. You can easily find a variety of these bowls online by searching for “heated pet bowl”.
The K&H Products Thermal-Bowl Pet Bowl, pictured above, is a popular and well-regarded choice. It comes in various sizes, including a 120-ounce (almost one gallon) and a 1.5-gallon model, catering to different needs and pet sizes. Importantly, it features a weather-protected and chew-resistant cord that is 5 1/2 feet long, providing added safety and convenience, especially for outdoor use. The stainless steel 120-ounce model is widely available from major retailers such as Target, PetSmart and Chewy.com, while the plastic 1.5-gallon version can be found at Petco (select size “medium”).
Solar Sippers for Water Bowls
The Solar Sipper offers an energy-efficient and ingenious way to prevent water from freezing, harnessing the power of the sun. This device features a uniquely designed top with a 4-inch opening that effectively uses solar energy to keep water from freezing even down to temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Beyond freeze prevention, the Solar Sipper’s insulating properties also work in warmer weather to help keep water cooler, making it a versatile solution for year-round pet water needs.
With a one-quart water capacity, the Solar Sipper is manufactured by Happy Bird Corporation and is readily available from various online retailers, including Amazon. To explore other vendors or find similar products, you can search online using terms like “Pet Solar Sipper” or “Deluxe Pet Sipper.” This solar-powered approach is particularly beneficial for outdoor pets where electrical access might be limited or for pet owners seeking an eco-friendly solution to keeping pet water from freezing.
Snuggle Safe Microwave Heat Pads
For a portable and non-electric option to keep pet water from freezing for shorter periods, consider Snuggle Safe Microwave Heat Pads. These plastic discs, roughly the size of a frisbee, are designed to be heated in a microwave and then placed under a water or food bowl. Once heated, they radiate warmth, effectively preventing freezing for approximately two to three hours, even in very cold temperatures.
One experienced pet caretaker suggests that a Snuggle Safe disc can be safely heated for up to 8 minutes in a 1000-watt microwave to maximize its heat-retaining potential. However, as microwave ovens can vary in power, it’s crucial to exercise caution initially and monitor the disc during heating to ensure it doesn’t overheat or melt. A practical tip is to purchase two discs. This allows you to bring a freshly heated one with you when you go to replenish water, and swap it out for the cooled disc from your previous visit, ensuring continuous freeze protection. Beyond water bowls, these versatile heat pads can also be wrapped in cloth and placed inside pet shelters to provide an extra source of warmth for your animals in cold weather. Online retailers that distribute Snuggle Safe products include Entirely Pets and the Snuggle Safe company itself, based in the United Kingdom.
Styrofoam Coolers as Insulated Water Stations
A simple yet effective method to delay water from freezing is to create an insulated water station using a styrofoam cooler. The kind of small styrofoam coolers often used for packed lunches or to keep drinks cold at picnics are ideal. A 30-quart version, readily available at stores like Walmart for a low price, works well. To adapt the cooler, carefully cut a doorway into one of the shorter ends. Make sure to position the bottom of the opening a few inches above the base of the cooler to prevent water from flooding inside.
At your pet’s feeding location, place the water bowl inside the modified styrofoam cooler and close the lid. To secure it and prevent it from being moved or tipped over, weigh down the cooler with a brick or heavy rock placed on top. It’s important to select a styrofoam cooler that is appropriately sized – large enough to comfortably hold the water bowl and allow only one cat at a time to drink. Avoid using overly large containers that could inadvertently become shelters for pets. If pets begin using the water station as a shelter, they could potentially get wet, which would be detrimental to their health, especially in freezing temperatures. The insulation provided by the styrofoam significantly slows down the freezing process, offering a practical way to keep pet water from freezing for longer.
Choosing the Right Type of Bowl
The type of water bowl you use can also play a significant role in how quickly water freezes. Bowls made from thicker materials, like sturdy, thick-walled plastic containers such as Tupperware, offer better insulation than thin-walled, flimsy bowls. Similarly, deeper bowls with narrower openings tend to delay freezing more effectively than shallow containers with wide openings because they reduce the surface area exposed to the cold air.
Dark-colored bowls can be advantageous as they absorb more heat from sunlight compared to lighter-colored bowls. Additionally, the placement of the bowl is important. Positioning the bowl in a location that is sheltered from wind but exposed to direct sunlight can further help in slowing down the freezing process. These simple considerations regarding bowl type and placement can make a noticeable difference in keeping your pet’s water accessible in cold weather.
Styrofoam “Bowls” for Enhanced Insulation
Going a step further with styrofoam, you can create highly insulated water “bowls” using small styrofoam shipping containers. Containers that are approximately 8 inches square and 4 inches deep are ideal for this purpose. These types of containers are often used for shipping temperature-sensitive items like vaccines. To create an insulated bowl, line the inside of the styrofoam container with a thick plastic bag to make it waterproof. Then, cut a hole in the top of the styrofoam lid that is large enough for a pet to comfortably drink from. Fill the plastic-lined container with water. The styrofoam provides excellent insulation, significantly slowing down the freezing process. Veterinarians often receive vaccines shipped in these types of styrofoam containers, so it’s worth asking your local vet if they can save one for you. This resourceful idea is courtesy of Susanne Mahar at Noah’s Kingdom Humane Society, highlighting a practical and eco-friendly way to keep pet water from freezing longer.
Utilizing Tires and Rocks for Natural Heat
Drawing inspiration from traditional methods used by horse owners, you can employ a technique involving tires and rocks to prevent water buckets in pastures from freezing. Take an old black tire (removed from its rim) and fill the cavity completely with rocks. Then, tightly wedge a large bucket into the tire’s central opening and fill the bucket with water. During the daytime, the black tire effectively absorbs sunlight, which in turn heats the rocks packed inside. These heated rocks then radiate warmth, helping to keep the water in the bucket from freezing, particularly overnight. For more innovative ways to utilize old tires to prevent water from freezing, resources like Mother Earth News offer further insights and ideas. This method provides a sustainable and resourceful approach to keeping pet water from freezing, especially for larger animals or outdoor water sources.
Leveraging Urban Heating Pipes
If your pet frequently spends time in urban environments, particularly back alleys, you might be able to take advantage of building heating pipes to help prevent water from freezing. In many buildings, heating pipes run just inside the exterior walls. Placing a water bowl near an exterior wall where these pipes are located can benefit from the residual warmth, effectively slowing down the freezing process. One way to identify potential locations of heating pipes is to feel along exterior walls for any spots that radiate warmth. Another indicator is to observe where pets tend to congregate near walls during cold weather; these spots might be warmer due to the presence of heating pipes inside the wall. While this method provides localized warmth and may not completely prevent freezing in very harsh conditions, it can be a helpful strategy in urban settings to keep pet water from freezing for longer durations.
Wet Food with Added Water: A Hydration Tip
For pet owners who feed wet food, there’s a simple yet effective way to boost hydration and minimize concerns about freezing water, especially if keeping water bowls unfrozen is proving challenging. If your pets eagerly anticipate meal times and rush to eat as soon as you arrive to feed them, take advantage of this routine by offering them wet food immediately. To increase their water intake, mix in extra water with their wet food. Since pets, particularly cats, often don’t drink large quantities of water independently, incorporating extra moisture into their food can be a significant contribution to their overall hydration needs. This approach can be especially beneficial in winter, ensuring they receive adequate hydration even if access to liquid water from a bowl is temporarily limited due to freezing.
