Is Your Dog Drinking Enough Water? Top Tips to Keep Your Dog Hydrated

Your dog has to have water. Water serves many vital purposes for the dog’s body. This includes removing waste, assisting in proper digestion, and promoting good urinary tract health.  Water is necessary to virtually every important body function, including lubricating joints, cushioning internal organs and regulating body temperature. 

Depending on the weather and temperature, and the activity level and exercise of your dog, he or she will probably need more water on some days than others. As a general rule, dogs require at least one ounce of water per day for each pound of body weight. (Your veterinarian can offer advice about how best to ensure your dog consumes enough fluids, based on his age, weight, and condition.)

How Do You Keep Your Dog Hydrated?

Sometimes dogs, like humans, do not drink enough water. Dogs do not understand the importance of keeping themselves hydrated. Therefore, you may need to get creative when making sure your pup drinks enough water. The following are some ideas on how to do this:

Put Water Bowls in Various Places in the House

If you only have one water bowl for your dog in the house, chances are they are not drinking enough water. You should have water bowls in more than one area so that your dog will be encouraged to drink more water.

Don’t forget to put a bowl outside as well, and to keep the water fresh for your pup!

Add Water to Your Dog’s Food

Here at the Ranch, all of our personal dogs have water or broth added to their food. When you add water to your pups’ food, it is a great way to keep them hydrated. You can add water to their dry and wet food. (Wet dog food contains around 70 to 90 percent moisture content, while kibble has only about 10 percent moisture.)

Get a Bigger Dog Bowl

Most pet parents buy the same sized bowls for their dog’s food and water, but it is important to note that the water bowl should be larger than the food bowl.

Make it stand out

Take Water Along

When you're packing your car, make sure you pack water. Make sure you take water along when you leave the house with your dog. Sometimes when you go to places like the dog park, they do not always have drinking fountains for the dogs. You want your pup to be hydrated when they are running around, especially in the heat.

Try a collapsible water bowl, a travel dog water bowl, or even a dog water bottle.

Consider Dog Safe Fruits

Fruits high in water content can help keep your dog hydrated. Here are just a few dog safe fruits, but make sure to check with your vet about which fruits are safest for your dog.

• Apples - try serving frozen apple slices (no seeds)

• Blueberries - Blueberries are a superfood rich in antioxidants, which prevent cell damage in humans and canines alike. Ours love them frozen.

• Watermelon - Freeze chunks of seeded watermelon for a fun hot-weather enrichment treat for your dog.

What are the Warnings of Dehydration in Dogs?

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Dry gums

• Decreased appetite

• Lack of energy

• Excessive panting

From the AKC website: 

What Causes Dehydration in Dogs?

Dogs are in danger of being dehydrated when their water intake does not match their activity level. When it is hot outside and your dog has been exercising, they can suffer from dehydration. If your dog is panting excessively, this can also lead to dehydration.

The most common cause of dehydration in dogs is overheating or perspiring, primarily through the paws, which is correlated with exercise or dry weather. When a dog is dehydrated, they lose electrolytes.

Electrolytes are minerals that include sodium, chloride, and potassium. Your dog needs to replace the lost electrolytes by drinking electrolyte-infused water. Keeping electrolytes balanced in your pup’s body helps regulate the appropriate amount of water in your dog.

Dogs who have kidney failure or diabetes are more prone to dehydration, as these illnesses cause them to urinate more frequently. Even if your pup drinks more because of a condition like diabetes, it is not enough to offset the loss of water through excess urination.

Dogs may also get dehydrated if they have been vomiting or having diarrhea. The rapid loss of fluid in the body can be detrimental to your pup’s health. Other causes of dehydration in dogs include heat stroke or fever.

If your dog is older, pregnant or nursing, or small, your pup may be more susceptible to dehydration. If you think your canine may be dehydrated, do not hesitate to get them to the vet. The vet will provide intravenous fluids for 24 to 48 hours. This treatment will replace and counteract the loss of more fluids.

If you believe your pup may be dehydrated, get them to the veterinarian. The vet can monitor your pup and administer fluids if necessary.