Water: we all need to drink it, and that goes for your dog too. Water helps carry nutrients around the body, aids digestion, regulates body temperature, and aids cells in absorbing nutrients. Without water, we can get into a lot of trouble due to dehydration. How much water should a dog drink a day? Is my dog drinking excessive water? Should I drink the doggie water? The answer to that last question is no, but for everything else, read below!
How Much Water Should a Dog Drink?
Since dog breeds vary greatly in size, water intake guidelines are based on weight. What’s right for a chihuahua, who has a bladder roughly the size of two shot glasses, won’t be the same for a great dane, who has a bladder approximately the size of a Stanley flask! According to PetMD, you should aim for an ounce of fluid per pound of body weight, so if you have a 10-lb dog, they will need about a cup of water daily. This rule also applies if you’re asking how much water a puppy should drink.
Why Your Dog Might Drink Less Water Sometimes
Just like humans, there are several reasons why dogs may not drink as much water as we expect them to. Sometimes, it’s because they aren’t doing as much exercise as usual or the weather isn’t as warm, and sometimes, it’s because of something a little more severe that we need to look at and change.
Wet Food or a Homemade Diet
A change in diet can often be a reason your dog doesn’t want to drink as much water. Let’s be honest: kibble is called dry food for a reason. If you’ve recently switched your dog from dry food to wet food or a different homemade diet like the raw food diet, your dog will drink less because they are getting their liquid elsewhere. It doesn’t matter where the water or fluid comes from, as long as your dog isn’t getting dehydrated.
Sick or in Pain
If your dog isn’t feeling well, they may be less inclined to drink water from any source. If you’re worried about your dog not drinking enough water, it’s worth getting a vet to check them over, as it can be a sign of kidney disease, diabetes, Cushing's disease, dental problems, or something else. It’s also worth remembering that some medications have this effect, too. If your dog has just been prescribed a new medication, check that this isn’t the cause of them not drinking water.
Signs of Dehydration
If your dog is dehydrated, they may lose their appetite, vomit (possibly accompanied by diarrhea), be lethargic, pant, have a dry nose or dry and sticky gums, have sunken and dry-looking eyes, have thick saliva, and lose skin elasticity. According to PedMD, you can check by gently holding some skin near your dog’s shoulder blades. If it returns to its original position quickly, that’s a good sign. The longer it takes to fall back into place, the more concerned you should be about dehydration. If you see these symptoms, it’s good to check with a vet.
How to Get Your Dog to Drink More Water
There are a few ways to encourage drinking in dogs. First of all, make sure dog water is always fresh and clean; this includes cleaning water bowls properly. Adding extra water bowls around the house might encourage your dog to drink more and ensure they are accessible. If your dog is on a kibble or dry food diet, you can add water to it to encourage them to drink.
Lastly, consider a pet fountain. In the wild, water is sometimes chock-full of diseases and nasties. At home, we know that our tap or bottled water is safe, but your dogs might not understand this. A fountain is an easy way to get the water moving so your dog understands it’s not full of bugs.
Why Is My Dog Drinking So Much Water?
Sometimes, we worry about dehydration, and sometimes, we have the complete opposite problem! If you’re seeing an excessive thirst in dogs, there are a few things it could be.
Diet
Again, dry food is dry. Because of this, your dog might be drinking a lot of water to balance this out. It’s also worth having a look at the salt content of your dog's food and treats. Excess salt can affect the internal water and sodium levels in our dogs and in us! To combat this, dogs might drink more to balance out their system again. An easy fix is to add water to their food, reduce their salt intake, or switch to wet food.
Activity Level
When dogs exercise more, they need more water to keep up, especially if they’re getting sweaty or the weather is hot! Make sure that you have water when you’re out and about with your dog in case they need a drink - especially in the summer!
Illness
As with drinking not enough water, drinking too much water can be a sign of illness, such as UTI’s, kidney failure, or diabetes. It’s always best to get a vet to double-check if you are worried about your dog drinking more water than normal.
Medication
Like with drinking too little water, drinking too much can also be a medication side effect. Always double-check the medication your dog takes if you think this could be a side effect, and if you’re worried, talk to a vet.
Conclusion
Dog hydration is essential, and a lot of things can affect it. Hopefully, now you feel confident in helping Fido get all the liquid they need!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can dogs go without water?
Typically, dogs can last three days without water but will start showing signs of dehydration after 24 hours. This can depend on breed size and age.
Why is my dog so thirsty?
There are a few reasons like diet, exercise, illness, and medicine. Check how much salt is in your dog’s diet and if you’re worried go see a vet.
