Dogs are low maintenance compared to children, but they still require plenty of love and care to lead happy and healthy lives. They need daily exercise, playtime with family members, regular outdoor adventures, and access to high-quality food. They also need clean water to survive, just like all other living organisms and creatures on the planet.
But how much water should your dog be drinking daily? Even if you always leave a bowl of water out for your pooch, you should know how much they should be drinking each day to ensure that their water intake is sufficient. Here are a few guidelines to follow that should help ensure that your pooch is getting enough water each day.
The General Rule of Thumb
In general, adult dogs should drink about 1 ounce of water for every pound that they weigh on any given day. Your dog’s activity level may require an adjustment to this rule. If they’re extremely active, they likely need more water. If they are typically sedentary, they likely need less water. When it comes to young puppies that are being weaned, they need more water than adults because they must make up for the lack of hydrating milk.
Ensuring That Your Dog Drinks Enough Water
It can be tough to get a dog to drink enough water, especially if they have an underlying health problem. It can also be hard to determine if you’re offering your dog enough water each day if you live a busy lifestyle. The easiest way to make sure your dog gets enough water during the day is to leave a bowl of clean water out for them to lap up anytime that they feel like it.
If you are spending a great deal of time outdoors, bring a portable bowl and a bottle of water with you. It is important to offer your dog a cup of water once an hour or so while you are traveling. Don’t rely on water fountains and other public water sources.
If you are unsure of how much water your dog should be drinking in a day, utilize a dog water intake calculator to get an accurate estimate. You can also schedule a checkup appointment with your veterinarian and get water intake recommendations from them based on specific things like your dog’s weight, health, age, and activity level.
What to Do If Your Dog Isn’t Drinking Enough Water
If you feel that your pooch is not drinking enough water throughout the day, there are a few things that you can do to get them to consume more. First, monitor your dog’s water intake either by offering them water in a measuring bowl or doling out water a cup at a time.
Then, measure how much water your dog drinks during the day and determine whether your suspicions of low-water consumption are true. If it does turn out that your dog is not drinking enough water, there are a few things that you can do “trick” them into consuming more:
- Try a New Water Device — Switch from a bowl to a doggy water fountain, and see if that doesn’t get your pooch excited to drink more water. The movement of the water will help keep it clean and aerated, which may make the water more appealing to your pooch as the day progresses.
- Add Moisture-Filled Foods to Their Diet — If your dog eats dry food, try adding wet food to the mix once a day. The extra moisture in the wet food will help hydrate them. You can also offer water-rich foods, such as carrots, celery, lettuce, and tomatoes, as snacks throughout the week.
- Add Flavor to the Water — Try adding a bit of bone broth, gravy, or other flavorful canine-safe seasonings to your dog’s water.
Final Thoughts
Luckily, it isn’t tough to figure out how much water your dog should be drinking, how to determine whether they’re drinking enough, and how to get them to drink more. With the help of this guide, you should have no problem keeping your pooch hydrated. If you’re ever in doubt, though, contact your veterinarian.
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