Does My Dog Need More Water?

Since dogs are messy and inconsistent drinkers, it can be difficult to know how much water they are actually drinking each day. But how much water do they actually need? On average, dogs need about an ounce of fluids per pound of body weight. This can change if your dog is more active, lactating, or if they are a puppy; these dogs require more water. If you notice that your dog is drinking more water than the suggested daily amount, it could be a sign of a health problem.

Reasons Your Dog Is Thirsty

Common sense is a good guide to determine why your dog is thirsty. Healthy reasons can range from activity level to weather to diet. If you note that they are drinking more water than usual, you may want to consult with your vet to get to the root cause. Some common causes are listed below.

Dehydration

Many things can lead to dehydration – exercise, hot days, illness, infection – and cause your pup to excessively drink water. Other signals that your dog is dehydrated are lethargy, dry gums, and thick saliva.

If you suspect that your dog is dehydrated, you will want to contact your vet right away; things can go south quickly. If your dog is just mildly dehydrated, you can help by giving them small amounts of water at a time. You do not want to give them full access to water because if they dink too much, it could cause vomiting.

Illness / Medication

There are certain medical conditions that can lead to uncontrolled thirst. They include diabetes, cancer, fever, Cushing’s disease, infection, kidney disease, diarrhea, and liver disease.

Sometimes it’s not the condition that leads to a thirsty pup, but the medication given for the conditions. Make sure to to talk with your vet about side effects of the medications that they are prescribing your dogs. If they are causing over the top drinking habits, they may be able to adjust the dosage.

Diet

The type of food your dog is eating can play a factor in their drinking habits. If they are eating dry food or food high in sodium, it can cause your furry friend to run to their water bowl more. Large amounts of sodium can actually be toxic to your pet, so you will want to avoid sharing highly salty people food with them.

Monitor Your Dog’s Water Intake

According to Fetch by WebMD, it is easier to notice changes in your dog’s drinking habits if you develop a water bowl routine.

• Refill your dog’s bowl at the same time each day
• Fill the bowl to the same level each time
• Pay attention to how much is left at the end of the day

Water is an important part of your dog’s health and diet. You never want to deprive them of water, and if you are ever worried they are drinking too much, don’t hesitate to give your vet a call.