Ensuring your dog stays well-hydrated is critically important for their health. But picky pups may occasionally turn up their nose at plain water. As a dog owner, what can you do to entice your pooch to drink up? With some creativity and patience, you can find solutions to keep their water bowl empty and your dog happy and hydrated.
Understand Their Natural Drinking Habits
Before trying to increase your dog’s water intake, consider their unique drinking style. Some key factors influence how different dogs drink water:
- Breed size – Small dogs naturally need less fluid intake than large breeds.
- Age – Puppies and seniors tend to drink more frequently.
- Weather – Dogs drink more in hot temperatures or humid climates.
- Diet – Wet or canned foods provide fluid, decreasing thirst.
- Activity level – Active dogs require more hydration.
- Health issues – Diseases like kidney disease or diabetes cause excessive thirst.
Know what’s “normal” for your individual dog’s needs before intervening.
Make Water Accessible
The first step to get your dog drinking is ensuring fresh water is always available. Make it easy for your dog by:
- Replenishing frequently – Empty and refill the bowl 2-3 times per day.
- Using fountain bowls – Moving water encourages drinking.
- Placing multiple bowls – Set bowls around the house for easy access.
- Eliminating competition – Give multi-dog households separate stations.
Constant access to fresh water prevents your dog from becoming dehydrated between scheduled drinks.
Increase Flavor and Texture Appeal
For picky pups, the solution may be finding tasty ways to serve water. Try these tricks:
- Add low-sodium broth – Chicken, beef or vegetable broth adds flavor.
- Include crunchy ice – The rewarding crunch makes water more interesting.
- Freeze into ice cubes – Create juice or broth ice cubes for dogs to nom.
- Mix with wet food – Adding some water to a wet food meal boosts fluid intake.
Altering the flavor and texture makes “boring” water more intriguing to your dog.
Encourage Them to Drink
You can also proactively encourage your dog to drink more using these helpful hints:
- Role model drinking – Take a sip from their bowl to demonstrate.
- Use a spoon – Drizzle water into their mouth from a spoon to teach the habit.
- Make a game – Hide treats they can “fish out” from the bowl.
- Establish a routine – Set specific water breaks throughout the day.
- Get active – Playtime outdoors stimulates thirst.
- Watch the clock – Note how often they drink to avoid dehydration.
With patience and creativity, you can make drinking water an appealing daily activity.
Recognize the Signs of Dehydration
Pay close attention for any signs your dog is becoming dehydrated, including:
- Dry or sticky gums and mouth
- Skin tenting – pinched skin stays tented
- Sunken eyes
- Lethargy, dizziness or disorientation
- Constipation
- Loss of appetite
- Increased heart rate
Dehydration can quickly become an emergency. Contact your vet if symptoms develop or persist despite your interventions. Offer high-moisture foods like canned pumpkin or melon to aid recovery from dehydration episodes.
Seek Medical or Behavioral Help
If your dog refuses to drink adequate water despite your best efforts, be sure to rule out any underlying medical issues. Certain conditions like kidney disease, dental problems, nausea and viral infections can suppress thirst.
In some cases, anxiety or a learned aversion may be the root cause of water avoidance. Consulting a veterinary behavior specialist can uncover solutions for dogs with an abnormal fear or stress response to drinking.
With your vet’s guidance, most dogs with proper motivation will eagerly sip their water to stay happy and hydrated. Be patient, consistent and creative to discover which hydration strategies work best for your pup!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much water should dogs drink per day?
The general guideline is 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight per day. Puppies, lactating dogs, and active or senior dogs need more.
Why does my dog only drink water away from home?
Strange or new water sources seem more appealing. Use different bowls and add flavor or fun textures to make their regular water more exciting.
What temperature should dog’s water be?
Room temperature or cool, not icy water is ideal. Avoid hot tap water that could burn their mouth. Adding ice cubes helps keep water nicely chilled.
Why does my dog drink so much water at night? Eating dry kibble triggers extra water intake to aid digestion. Nighttime drinkers may benefit from scheduled water breaks before bed.
Is it safe to add Gatorade to dog’s water?
A diluted Gatorade slushy is safe occasionally to boost hydration. But the added calories and minerals aren’t ideal for daily water. Talk to your vet first.
