How Much Water Should Dogs Drink?
The quick answer is that dogs need to drink around 1 ounce of water every day, for each pound of their body weight. With that being said, there are several different variables that need to be taken into consideration in regard to how much water to give your dog.
Variables That May Affect How Much Water Your Dog Needs
The moisture content of your dog’s food affects how much water you need to give your dog. Dogs that eat dry kibble will need water to swallow it down. However, when wet or semi-moist foods are given, this will cut back on your dog’s daily water requirements.
If you make sure your dog is exercising regularly, you may find that he or she is panting at times. This natural process of evaporation causes the dog’s body to lose hydration. More water must be consumed to make up for this loss.
Another thing you need to consider when your dog is exercising is how hot and humid the temperature is outdoors. The hotter and drier the weather is, the more your dog is going to pant. The more he pants, the more water he loses.
Also, think about your dog’s current health status. If your dog has been vomiting or has diarrhea, that means he has been losing a lot of water and is at risk of dehydrating, quicker than you might realize.
A Dog’s Normal Daily Water Intake
Although the above situations can change your dog’s water intake a bit, here is what is recommended by internal medicine specialists. Healthy adult dogs who are in a temperature-controlled environment should be drinking about an ounce of water per pound of body weight, per day.
If you are always providing fresh water for your dog, and he seems to be drinking less than the recommended amount, not to worry. A dog that is healthy will instinctively drink what it needs.
With that being said, if your dog is not feeling well, keep an eye out. Dogs who become sick can dehydrate quickly. This is because if your dog has a fever, he might not feel well enough to drink an adequate amount of water.
Can My Dog Drink Too Much Water?
According to Whole Dog Journal, pay attention to times when your dog is drinking more water than the recommended amounts. This condition, called polydipsia, naturally causes your dog to pee excessively.
The reason you should pay attention to your dog if it is drinking more than the recommended amount of water is that excessive thirst is associated with many different types of diseases. Diabetes, kidney disease, and Cushing’s syndrome are a few of these. This is why if your dog seems to be excessively thirsty, a visit to your veterinarian may be in order.