💦 HAPPY & HYDRATED 💦 - An Essential Guide

How much water is enough?

Every dog needs access to water, so multiple water stations should be made available.  However, the amount of water they should drink daily depends on their age, size, activity level, diet and any medication or medical conditions. 

Research has shown that on average, both puppies and dogs should drink 40-60ml of water per kilo of their body weight per day. For example, an 8kg dog should be having about 400ml of water per day. 

But, this is purely an estimate.  Dry dog food only contains about 20% water, so a dog on a dry diet will need to drink more, whereas a dog fed on The Farmer’s Dog Pure Raw Dog Food will get some of their water intake from their food.

How do I know my dog is drinking enough?

It can be quite difficult to spot the signs of dehydration in dogs, but here are some signs you can look out for:

·         Dry gums

·         Loss of skin elasticity

·         Sunken eyes

·         Low energy

·         Weakness

·         Panting

·         Vomiting

·         Changes in breathing

·         Loss of appetite

·         Dry nose

·         Thick saliva

·         Diarrhoea

If you’re at all worried about your dog, always speak to their healthcare provider.

What can cause dehydration in dogs?

Common causes of dehydration can be:

• Not drinking enough water
• Not having access to fresh water 
• Specific health conditions, like liver or kidney disease, diabetes, and cancer
• Being unwell; vomiting or diarrhoea 
• Heatstroke
• Over-exercising 

Why is my dog not drinking water?

You’ll often see your dog going for a hydrating drink, so if you notice your dog starting to reduce their intake, there could be several reasons why: 

• They aren’t thirsty; dogs are good at regulating their water intake and will drink when they need to 
• Lack of exercise; if the weather’s cooler and your dog has been doing less exercise, their water intake may decrease as they won’t need to lose as much heat
• Their food is supplementing their water intake; wet and raw food has a higher moisture level than dry kibble
• They are finding water elsewhere; yep, the toilet could be one place they are drinking from. A dripping tap is also tempting to dogs 
• Taste of the water; dogs have a super keen sense of smell and if the water smells unfamiliar or funny (if you’re in a different location), they may be reluctant to drink it.
• Something is preventing them; an injury to the jaw or dental issues
• There is an underlying health issue; bladder infection, urinary tract issues, diabetes, and kidney disease are the most obvious reasons

How long can my dog go without water?

The answer for this varies from dog to dog and can be influenced by external factors such as temperature.  However, the longest a dog can go without drinking is 48 to 72 hours. At this stage, your dog will be severely dehydrated and will need immediate treatment. If your dog has refused to drink anything for 24 hours, it would be best to seek advice from their healthcare provider before allowing them to get worse, to rule out any underlying or unidentified health condition.

How can I get my dog to drink water?

Whether your dog is healthy or sick, here are some tips to encourage them to drink more water: 

• Keep their water bowl clean. You wouldn’t like drinking out of a dirty mug, and likewise, your dog may not like drinking out of a dirty bowl  
• Try adding ice cubes to their water. This may make them interested in drinking, Or, give them an ice cube to chew on. Never give ice cubes or really cold water to a dog suffering from heatstroke as this will cool their body too quickly. Give them room temperature instead 
• Ensure they have access to fresh water
• Experiment with different water bowls. Some dogs prefer to drink from glass or ceramic bowls
• Struggling to drink from the bowl may prevent your dog from drinking. If so, consider a raised water bowl 
• Place water bowls around the home so your dog has easy access wherever they are 
• Mixing bone broth with your dog’s water may make it more interesting to them. Many dogs find the aroma and taste of bone broth irresistible 

Why is my dog drinking so much water?

Aside from factors like an increased temperature or activity level, drinking an increased amount of water could be a sign that something isn’t right. Health conditions that can make a dog drink more water include:

• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Urinary tract infection
• Diabetes
• Cushing’s Disease (possibly accompanied by an increase in appetite as well)
• Addison’s Disease
• Increased calcium levels

Certain medications, like steroids or diuretics, can increase a dog’s thirst.

Does my dog need more water in the summer months?

Dogs may need to drink slightly more water when it’s hot, but this depends on breed, age, health, exercise level, and food. For instance, wet food or a raw diet contains more moisture than kibble. Giving a healthy dog ice cubes to crunch on is another great tip for cooling your dog down. However, never give ice cubes to a dog with heatstroke, as this will cause their body temperature to drop too quickly. 

References 

https://www.bellaandduke.com/dogs/expert-advice/dog-health/how-much-water-should-dogs-drink/

https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/health-wellbeing/at-home/drinking-water

https://www.purina.co.uk/articles/dogs/health/symptoms/dog-hydration