How Much Water Should Your Dog Drink Per Day?

Your dog needs water as much as he or she needs various nutrients. But how much should your dog actually be drinking to avoid dehydration or other issues? Let’s take a look!

HOW MUCH WATER IS ACTUALLY ENOUGH FOR MY DOG?

While we can’t tell you the exact amount of water your dog should be drinking, the general recommendation is that they should drink ½ to 1 ounce per pound of their weight. For example, if your dog weighs 52 pounds, they should drink somewhere between 26 and 52 ounces per day.

But, just like humans, dogs can have different hydration needs–some dogs might want more water than others, and if your dog tends to be on the move a lot, they might need more to drink. If your dog is lazier, they could probably drink a bit less.

We recommend monitoring your dog for signs of lethargy or illness, which could be caused by dehydration. If you notice these symptoms, be sure to give your dog a healthy portion of water, and take them to the vet if you don’t notice an improvement.

TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR DOG HYDRATED

Make sure your dog’s water bowl is always full. Set a reminder for filling up your dog’s bowl multiple times per day, and make sure to fill it whenever it’s emptied. Other fun ways to keep your dog hydrated include making tasty frozen treats or ice cubes for your dog.

Remember to always carry water whenever you go out for a walk with your dog. A convenient, collapsible travel dog bowl or a dog travel bottle will give them something to drink out of while also leaving the water bottle for you! On hot summer days, be on the lookout for dehydration and take frequent breaks to let your dog take a drink.

SYMPTOMS OF DEHYDRATION

It can become a problem if your dog stops drinking enough water. This can cause dehydration, which can be hard to recover from, especially when it’s not recognized.

Common symptoms of dehydration include:

• Very little energy
• Sunken eyes
• Not wanting to eat
• Dry mouth

Watch out for these symptoms and keep your dog hydrated.

Keep your dog’s water bowl full at all times if you think your dog is dehydrated and needs to recover.

WAYS TO CHECK IF YOUR DOG IS DEHYDRATED

There are a few other simple ways to check for dehydration in addition to watching for common symptoms. You can check if your dog is dehydrated or not by gently pinching your pet’s skin. It should quickly snap back to the original position quickly, but if it moves more slowly, then it might be a sign that your pup is dehydrated.

Another way to check it through gently pressing your dog’s gums. If your dog is healthy, the gums will happen go from a white color to the original pink color again, in about or under 2 seconds. However, if it happens to take significantly longer than that for the gums to return to their regular color, then it can be a sign that your pet is dehydrated.

If you think your dog is dehydrated, try to get them to drink some water. If they appear very sick or lethargic, get them to the vet as soon as possible. Keeping your pup’s dog bowl full of water is a necessity as a pet parent, regardless of the season.