How Much Water Should My Dog Drink?
How much water a dog drinks differs per animal: some drink more easily than others. The amount your dog actually needs for its body to function properly has everything to do with bodyweight. The heavier your dog's body is, the more water your dog should drink per 24 hours. Note: this refers to the normal size of the body, not any excess pounds. Fortunately, dogs don’t easily drink too much water on their own.
In addition, drinking a lot of water is especially good for overweight dogs. Adequate removal of waste products makes it easier for the body to get rid of harmful substances that are released during exercise and weight loss, including from excess fat. These substances can also be present in the body through too much or incorrect nutrition.
When drinking a lot of water, overweight dogs will also have less space for all kinds of kibble and snacks due to the water filling their stomachs.
In general, a dog should drink about one ounce of water per pound of weight per day. For example, do you have a 30-pound dog? Then it will have to drink about 30 fl. oz. of water per day.
Dogs drinking water: tips for good drinking behavior
It may sound strange, but it is not always easy to find out how much water your dog is taking in. But if you believe that your dog is not getting enough water, here are a few things you can try to encourage good drinking behavior:Encouragement
Some dogs need a little help with drinking water. Call your dog, wet your fingers and let the dog sniff them. Reward the dog when it licks your fingers dry. Move this 'drinking behavior' more and more towards the drinking bowl, until the dog takes a sip from the bowl. Always do this without coercion, otherwise, there’s a chance that the dog will start avoiding the water bowl. Does the dog drink water from its bowl? Leave it alone and reward the dog after it's done. Every sip is good!Drinking bowl
For one dog, a standard drinking bowl can be emptied within one gulp, for another, it is an impossible basin. Check how many fluid ounces fit in a water bowl and adjust this to the needs of your dog.Portions
If your dog plays with its water too much, you can give it small portions of water at set times. This way the dog learns that drinking is just like eating: it is necessary and it is not always there.Let the dog drink in peace and remove the water when it starts playing again. Make sure that you are still providing your dog with the required amount of water!
Peace
Quickly gulping down water can cause your dog to get a stomach ache or choke. Have you just played a wild game? Then give your dog lukewarm water and make it take breaks when drinking it.Refresh
Old and dusty water is not good for us and it’s not good for your dog. Change the water several times a day.
Fortunately, drinking isn't the only way for your dog to get enough fluids. The dog's diet also plays a role. Does your dog get fresh meat or wet food instead of kibble? Then he already gets a lot of fluid during the meal!
How to know if your dog is drinking too much water?
How thirsty your dog is depends on its diet, lifestyle and personal preference. But a dog can also drink too much. Usually, this has a deeper medical cause. In general, it can be concluded that a dog drinks too much when it drinks more than 33 fluid ounces per 22 pounds of body weight. A high number of drinking and urinating sessions in a day should also be noticeable.The following conditions can cause increased drinking behavior:
- Disorders of the liver or kidneys
- Side effects of medication
- Diabetes
- Overheating in hot weather
- Dehydration after strenuous activities or diarrhea
- Different types of cancer
- Cushing's disease
Drinking too much water is not necessarily a symptom of a serious situation. Still, it is wise to have your dog checked by a vet if it drinks too much water for more than a few days.