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We all know the importance of staying hydrated—and it’s the same case for our furry best friends. Whether you have a playful puppy or a laid-back senior dog, making sure that they drink enough water is one of our top priorities.
But, how much is enough?
If you’re puzzled over how much water should a dog drink, fear not! We’re here to give you the ins and outs of dog hydration and make sure your pet is getting the right amount of H2O.
The general rule of thumb is that dogs should drink 1 ounce of water per 1 pound of their body weight every day. For example, smaller breeds will require a smaller volume of water per day compared to larger ones. So, a 10-pound dog will need to drink 10 ounces of water each day and a dog that weighs 35 pounds needs to drink 35 ounces of water daily.
But this is not a strict measure, as several factors can influence how much water an individual dog needs.
According to Great Pet Care, age, activity level, body condition, and weather conditions can influence how much water your dog drinks.
Age: Puppies, for instance, need to drink more water as they are growing and developing. A puppy transitioning from its mother’s milk to solid food requires approximately ½ cup of water every two hours.
Activity Level:A dog’s activeness can also influence their water intake. Active dogs who love to play and move around are more prone to dehydration than lazier dogs, so they’ll need more water.
Body Condition: Pregnant or nursing dogs require extra water intake to meet their nutritional needs during pregnancy and lactation. While dogs who are taking medications, like diuretics, anti-inflammatories, or anti-seizure drugs, may be more thirsty than usual.
Weather Condition:Just like how we are reminded every summer, dogs must also stay hydrated during this hot season.
Dogs are good at controlling how much water they drink on their own to be properly hydrated. Now, if you ever notice that your dog is not drinking water, or appears to have cut back on it, there could be a number of reasons behind it:
During cold weather, most dogs prefer to be less active as they need to preserve their body heat. Less panting and salivation for dogs means loss of water will occur less frequently during these days.
FUN FACT: A dog’s sense of smell is 100,000 times more powerful than a human’s, while their sense of taste is about one-sixth as powerful as ours.
So, if the water smells unfamiliar to your dog they could be reluctant to drink it—it’s their survival instinct kicking in. To encourage them to drink, use a familiar bowl or you can add or mix more water to their food to maintain their normal water intake.
Your dog may decide not to drink from an unclean water bowl; as no one wants to drink in a dirty bowl! To maintain the bowl free of bacteria and bad odors, make sure it is cleaned with a light soap and water on a regular basis.
Negative past experiences can also be the reason why your dog chooses not to drink water. For example, having their tail stepped on while they were drinking or having a fight with another dog over a shared water bowl, might cause them to link drinking as an unpleasant experience. You can try relocating or switching out their bowl if you think this is the case.
A mouth injury or dental problems can be another reason why your dog is not drinking water. You might also notice that they can be eating less if it’s an oral problem. Look for any small stones, plastic, or splinters that might be stuck between their teeth, gums, or any place in their mouth. If you detect anything that seems concerning, take them immediately to the veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.
Now that you have an idea about the possible reasons why your dog is not drinking water, let’s answer another common concern.
If you’ve noticed your dog is drinking more than usual, take a look at the reasons below and that might help you find an answer.
Diet: Foods high in sodium, sugar, and other dehydrating nutrients can cause your dog to drink water more frequently.
Medical Conditions: While numerous health conditions cause excess water consumption, the most common ones are Cushing's disease, diabetes mellitus, and kidney failure.
Cushing’s Disease:This syndrome occurs when the adrenal gland produces too much cortisol, either because of an adrenal tumor or a pituitary tumor. The overproduction of cortisol causes the dog to feel more thirsty than usual. Medication or surgery may be used to treat Cushing's syndrome, depending on the tumor's location.
Diabetes Mellitus:The excess sugar in the blood can cause frequent urination. In this case, dogs may become too thirsty due to excessive urination. Insulin injections and meal modifications are used to treat diabetes mellitus in dogs.
Kidney Failure:Dogs with kidney failure tend to drink more to stay hydrated since they urinate more frequently. Treatment for kidney illness in dogs usually involves changes in their diet.
Medications:Some anti-inflammatory medications such as prednisone, diuretics, phenobarbital, and treatment for seizures may cause excessive thirst as a side effect.
Hot Weather:Hot weather is the common and natural reason for an increased water intake for dogs. Dogs regulate their body temperature by panting, which causes them to lose more moisture. As a result, to replace lost fluids and stay cool, they must drink more.
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Though little scientific research has been done, it is recommended that pets consume 50–60 milliliters of water per kilogram of body weight. Water intake needs to rise by 6–10 milliliters for every degree Celsius of temperature increase.
So, if the temperature rises above 86 degrees Fahrenheit, that translates to an additional 10% of water every day.
Dehydration can be dangerous for dogs, and dogs that lose three to five percent of their body fluids become dehydrated. Here are the common physical signs of dehydration you should look out for:
Sticky, dry gums
Excessive panting, even when sedentary
Lethargy and lack of appetite
Dry nose and mouth
Sunken, dry eyes
Thick, ropy saliva
You can also do a quick and easy check-up to see if your dog is dehydrated by following the steps below:
Gently pinch the flesh between your dog’s shoulder blades.
Lift the skin gently then release it.
Keep an eye out as the skin falls back into place.
In the case of dehydration, the skin will slowly return—it might even remain elevated for a while—before readjusting.
As mentioned before, dogs are good at self-regulating their water intake. Now, our role as pet owners is to make sure they have easy access to a water source. Below are some tips you can do to keep a good drinking routine for your dog:
Keep a close eye on the amount of water your dog drinks in a day. You can refill them around the same time every day and see how much water is left in it.
Keep their bowls clean every day with soap and water.
Use canned tuna water or low-sodium broth to flavor your dog's water.
Moisten your dog’s dry food before giving it to them.
Use canned dog food instead.
If your dog has difficulty bending, raise the food and water bowls.
Fill their water bowl with ice.
Prevent them from drinking in the toilet bowl by keeping the toilet lid and bathroom door closed.
To make water more available, put several bowls around the house.
Try to use a drinking fountain.
If your dog is throwing up after drinking water can be caused by a variety of reasons such as:
Consuming water too quickly: Dogs who drink water too quickly are at risk of swallowing air along with it, which can cause vomiting and an enlarged stomach.
Gulping air: Similar to drinking too fast, gulping air can make a dog's tummy swell. This is frequently observed in dogs who drink a lot.
Gastric Upset or stomach discomfort: Dogs who drink water on an empty stomach can experience nausea and vomiting. If the water is really cold, it can induce vomiting due to stomach spasms.
Underlying medical conditions:Infections, gastrointestinal issues, pancreatitis, kidney disease, or food allergies can cause vomiting after drinking water.
Consuming a harmful substance:Your dog may throw up as they try to get rid of anything hazardous they may have eaten, such as chemicals, plants, or spoiled food.
Motion sickness:Your dog may throw up after drinking water if they have been in a moving car or have been exposed to a lot of motion. This is because motion sickness causes nausea.
Dogs can drink tap water that is safe for humans. Your tap water supply's safety depends on the quality of management of your municipal water system, the source of the water, and whether or not you get it from a well. To put it simply, only give your dog the same water that you would also drink. If you live somewhere where tap water or well water is unsafe, it is better to consult your veterinarian about the possibility of giving your dog bottled or filtered water.
Many veterinarians suggest washing your dog’s water bowl daily. These bowls are often favorable environments for bacteria to flourish since they come into touch with food and your pet's saliva. That’s why it is important to always keep them smooth and clean.
Hydration is one of the keys to your dog’s overall health and well-being. Remember, their water needs can vary with age, activity level, and body and weather conditions. Your dog can’t just talk and tell you whenever they’re thirsty. So, always keep those water bowls filled and fresh. Here’s to keeping our furry companions healthy and hydrated!
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