Staying hydrated is essential for a healthy dog, but sometimes too much water can also lead to health problems
Water is essential in all lifeforms on Earth. Humans, animals, insects, and plants all need water to survive. Without water, life as we know it would not exist. If your dog does not get the necessary amount of water they need, their body will not function properly and will begin to dehydrate.
But what happens if your dog starts drinking too much water? This could be caused by many underlying illnesses. Find out whether or not your dog is drinking enough water or too much water than usual.
Article Summary
How Much Water Does My Dog Need On A Daily Basis?
A great rule of thumb to follow is that dogs should drink approximately 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight each day.
It is not necessary to measure exactly how much water your dog drinks, just make sure to have plenty of fresh and clean water for your dog to drink daily.
When taking your dog out for exercise, always be sure to bring a bowl or a water bottle. Merci Collective offers a line of crystal-infused dog water bottles that don’t just hydrate your dogs but also look good and soothe the nerves of your beloved dog.
Why Would My Dog Drink Less Water Sometimes?
There are many reasons why your dog may drink less water sometimes. If you feed your dog canned food or foods with a lot of moisture such as fruits, you may notice that they will drink less water than when eating dry kibble food. This is because they are able to hydrate themselves from the moisture of the wet food. Another reason could be because your dog is sick or in some sort of pain. Some reasons can be more severe than others. If you see that your dog is not feeling well than its usual self, talk with your local veterinarian to figure out exactly why your dog is not drinking enough water.
Why Would My Dog Drink More Water Sometimes?
There can also be many reasons as to why your dog is drinking more water than usual. Some dog treats are known to cause dehydration in your dogs.
This doesn’t necessarily mean it's bad for your dog but keep in mind to always have plenty of fresh and clean water in their bowl if you do feed them these treats. When summer comes around, the heat from the sun can also cause your dog to search for more water.
Just like us humans, your dog will try to find ways to cool themselves off! If your dog is on medication of any kind, this could also lead your dog to excessive thirst.
Other reasons could include illnesses such as diabetes, Cushing’s disease, or even cancer. Be sure to keep close contact with your local veterinarian as medical professionals know what is best for your dog.
Can My Dogs Drink Tap Water?
Tap water that is safe for people will also be safe for your dog. In most cases, tap water is usually safe for your dog but it is recommended to understand where your tap water comes from.
Some areas may have unsafe and contaminated tap water so be sure to look out for that.
What Will Happen if My Dog Doesn’t Get Enough Water?
When your dog stops drinking the necessary amount of water, their body functions start to fail and begin to get dehydrated. If kept dehydrated for an extended period of time, their organs such as the kidneys and livers will eventually start giving in. Once the organs reach total failure, death will follow shortly after. Keep in mind that some factors in dogs may have an increased risk of dehydration. Dogs that have kidney problems, metabolic disorders, cancer, and even pregnancy can increase the risk of your dog getting dehydrated.
How Do I Check If My Dog Is Dehydrated?
The best way to check if your dog is dehydrated is to follow these steps:
Gently pinch the skin between the shoulder blades of your dog.
Pull the skin up slightly then release it
Watch for their skin to fall back in place.
If the skin quickly returns to normal without any hesitation that means your dog is well hydrated and you shouldn’t be worried. If, on the other hand, the skin appears to slowly or even stay up for a small amount of time before falling back into place, your dog may be dehydrated. Some other signs to look out for are if your dog’s nose and mouth are dry or if their gums appear sticky and pale.
What to do to Make My Dog Drink More Water?
If you notice that your dog is not drinking much water, there are several ways to entice your dog into drinking an adequate amount of water.
Sometimes, your pet may just simply not like their bowls. Just like us humans have preferences, your dog does too. Try providing a variety of water bowls such as ceramic, stainless steel, glass, or even plastic and see if that does the trick.
If your dog still refuses to drink water, you can also flavor the water to keep it interesting. Add a tablespoon of chicken or beef broth to the water and see if that does the trick.
As mentioned above, you can also feed your dog wet food to increase the amount of hydration your dog gets on a daily basis.
If your dog is still adamant about not drinking water, it might be a good time to check in with your local veterinarian to make sure your dog does not have any underlying diseases.
Should I Have Multiple Water Bowls For My Dog In The House?
The answer is yes! To encourage your dog to drink more water, having multiple water bowls in the house can be a great way to keep them hydrated. Doing this ensures that your dog does not have to go too far to get a drink! Always make sure to be checking the water bowls especially if you have one outside the house. A dirty water bowl may discourage your dog from drinking water.
What To Do About Water Intake During Puppy Training?
If you are going through house training with your new puppy, the water rules change a bit. It is best to remove your puppy’s water bowl at night and make sure to keep it consistent. As a general rule of thumb, removing the food and water bowl about two to three hours before bedtime is ideal. This allows enough time for you to take your puppy out for one last potty break before going to bed. Keep in mind that puppies are more prone to dehydration therefore try not to restrict your puppy’s water intake during the day.
We hope you found this article helpful. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at mercicollective.com/contact/. We would love to hear from you!