Did you know that not all dogs drink sufficient amount of water according to their needs? Some dogs either under-hydrate or over-hydrate themselves.

Factors to decide on how much water to drink?

There are 6 main factors that contribute to how much water dogs should drink for proper hydration.

• Size: A dog should have around 1/2 to 1 ounce of water for every pound of his body weight every day
• Age: Puppies need about 1/2 cup two hourly with close observation
• Type of Food:  Dogs that eat canned food need less water. Higher sodium intake leads to higher thirst
• Medications: Water intake might change if your dog is on a medication. Please talk to your vet about it
• Exercise: Your dog needs more hydration if the activity level is high
• Weather: Dogs pant more in the summer for cooling purposes - they need more water

My dogs drink water all the time

If we can rule out boredom and hot weather as main causes of constant water consumption, you should consult your vet instead. Some diagnostic tests that may require a blood test and urine sample are able to conclude if there are any health issues with them.

What happens when dogs are under or over-hydrated?

When dogs don’t drink enough water, it will lead to organ failure, kidney stones and death. This is also a sign of pancreatitis, parvo and leptospirosis. (source: https://www.dogster.com/dog-food/how-much-water-should-a-dog-drink)

On the contrary, drinking too much water will cause unbalanced electrolytes, water toxicity and a bloated stomach. Over-drinking water indicates that the dogs might suffer from diabetes, bladder infections and metabolic problems.

Please take them to the vet to clear any doubts.

Finally

It is vital to ensure that our pooches are always properly hydrated. We can also run a quick check by softly grabbing a piece of skin at the back of their neck and release it. If the dog is hydrated, their skin will return to its place. Otherwise, their skin will form a “tent” indicating dehydration.  (source: https://firstaidforpets.net/how-to-tell-if-your-dog-is-dehydrated/)

Do comment below to talk about the concerns you have about your dog’s drinking. Thanks for reading!

Author’s bio: Josh is the blog owner of kyrapets.com. On the site, he will share information that helps dog owners.  He has a Staffordshire Bull Terrier whom he loves very dearly."