When caring for your four-legged best friend, there are so many things to remember and understand. Meeting their basic needs, including good nutrition, exercise, and regular veterinary care, is essential to ensure they remain healthy from puppyhood to their gray muzzle years. While it may seem like second nature to most pet parents, providing adequate water for your pup is critical and equally important in their overall care and well-being.
Like humans, a dog's body is 70% water, and maintaining a proper balance and hydration will ensure their body functions as intended. Understanding how much water your dog requires daily will help you recognize a problem, like dehydration or an underlying illness. Subtle changes in your dog's water consumption could be the first clue of a medical issue.
Importance of Water for Your Dog
Water is essential for cell health and your dog's bodily functions. Dogs who don't drink enough water or who don't have regular access to fresh, clean water are at risk for dehydration, which can be deadly in severe cases. Additionally, water is required for every chemical and physiologic body function, including:
- Transporting oxygen and nutrients in the bloodstream to the cells
- Moisturizing air in the lungs and lung cells
- Aids in the regulation of body temperature through panting and sweat glands in the paws
- Protection and lubrication of the joints and organs, including the kidneys, liver, heart, and skin
- Aids in waste elimination (e.g., dehydrated dogs are more at risk for constipation)
- Supports the nervous system and overall brain health
Factors Influencing a Dog's Water Intake
Numerous factors affect the water required to ensure your dog is adequately hydrated. As a rule of thumb, healthy adult dogs need a minimum of one ounce of water per 10 pounds of body weight. For example, if your dog weighs 10 pounds, their starting point of water intake is 10 ounces or approximately 1 ¼ cups of water daily.
While measuring the exact amount of water to provide your pup may not be necessary, they must always have access to a bowl of clean, fresh water. Your dog's thirst is self-regulated, and a variety of factors will determine how much water your dog needs:
- Size and body weight –– Large breed dogs, like retrievers or German shepherds, will require more water than smaller breeds, like Chihuahuas, pugs, or French bulldogs.
- Activity level –– Dogs who regularly exercise will likely require more water than couch-potato pups who consider a trip to the food bowl an endurance event. Ensure that your pup receives frequent water breaks during exercise, especially during hot days, to prevent dehydration, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke in severe cases.
- Diet –– Dogs who consume canned or homemade diets will likely be ingesting more water from their food than dogs whose primary nutrition source is dry food. In this case, your kibble-eating pup will likely drink more water.
- Age and life stage –– Generally, puppies, pregnant dogs, or nursing dogs will require more water to grow organs and provide milk. Additionally, older or senior dogs may need more water to support their aging organs or to support underlying diseases like kidney failure.
- Environmental changes –– Variability in temperature and humidity can affect the amount of water a dog drinks. Dogs who reside or exercise in warmer and drier climates require more to regulate their body temperature properly.
Signs Your Dog is Properly Hydrated
A healthy dog's desire to drink water is hormonally regulated based on their physiological needs for proper organ function and temperature regulation.
Signs your dog is properly hydrated include:
- Bright, clear eyes
- Alert with good energy levels
- Regular sleep/wake cycles
- Moist, pink gums
- Regular urination (i.e., not urinating too much or too little, and no straining)
- Adequate skin elasticity
- No excessive panting when at rest
- A timely return to regular breathing after exercise ( i.e., able to efficiently cool down)
Causes of Dehydration in Dogs
Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluids than it takes in. Without treatment, it can be deadly due to electrolyte imbalances and organ failure. There are numerous causes of dehydration in dogs.
Some of the more common culprits for dehydration include:
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Nausea
- Heat exhaustion or heat stroke
- Excessive panting
- Lack of access to fresh, clean water
- Underlying diseases (i.e., diabetes, kidney disease, Cushing's disease)
- Infection (i.e., pyometra, bacterial infections, urinary tract infections)
- Fever
- Dental disease, making it painful to drink or eat
Signs of Dehydration in Dogs
Dehydration signs can range from subtle to severe and mimic other disease signs. It's vital to monitor your dog and learn to recognize the following dehydration signs, which may include:
- Dry, sticky gums
- Pale or bright red gums
- Thick, stringy saliva
- Dry mouth and tongue
- Constipation (difficulty defecating)
- Excess panting, even when at rest
- Dry, sunken eyes
- Loss of skin elasticity ( e.g., delayed skin turgor test)
- Lethargy
- Decreased appetite
When to Consult a Veterinarian About Your Dog's Water Intake
Dogs who experience mild dehydration after excessive activity may not require an immediate veterinary visit; however, it's always a good idea to consult your DVM if you are concerned about your dog's hydration and overall health.
Dogs who show severe dehydration signs should be seen immediately by a veterinarian. If your dog's water intake has persistently increased or decreased, they may be suffering from other underlying diseases that require a veterinary examination. Never withhold water from your dog if they drink too much. Conversely, never forcibly make your dog drink water, as this can put them at risk for aspiration pneumonia (water in their lungs).
How to Encourage Your Dog to Drink Water
Water is essential for all of your pup's bodily functions and well-being. Depending on your dog's age, activity level, environment, and health status, you may need to adjust the amount of water available to ensure your dog remains appropriately hydrated. Additionally, never hesitate to contact your family veterinarian if you are unsure or worried about your dog's water intake.
Tips to support your pet's health and hydration include:
- Provide your dog 24/7 access to clean water, and place bowls where your dog enjoys spending time.
- Provide fresh water every day and clean water bowls daily to prevent bacteria buildup, which can make them sick.
- Avoid exercising your dog outside during warm or hot weather.
- Take frequent water breaks during exercise or other outdoor activities.
- Bring your dog for yearly or more frequent veterinary visits to ensure they are well-hydrated and disease-free.
- Provide frozen treats, like ice cubes made with Native Pet Bone Broth, during warmer weather or when more hydration is required after exercise.
Ensuring your dog is properly hydrated is essential to caring for your furry best friend. Always consult your veterinarian if you are concerned about your dog's water drinking habits because changes in the amount of water your dog drinks could be the first clue of an underlying medical condition.
Check out the Native Pet blog for more health and wellness tips for your four-legged best friend.
