How Much Water Is Enough For Your Dog?

Why it’s Important for Dogs to Stay Hydrated? 

Water is essential to a dog’s life! Every single cell, organ, and tissue depends on water to function. As dog owners, we care about keeping our pets hydrated. 

While it’s essential for your dog to stay hydrated, we should still be aware of when your dog is over drinking because it may indicate sickness.

To ensure your dog is safe, healthy, and hydrated, below we explain how much water your dog should drink and when to pay attention if your dog is dehydrated or over drinking.

How Much Water Does a Dog Need?

Research shows that dogs should drink approximately 1 ounce (30 mL) of water for every pound they weigh daily. That means a 10-pound dog should consume around 10 ounces (~295 mL) of water daily.

While these calculations give you a rough estimate of how much water your dog should drink, don't limit your dog from drinking more. Active and pregnant dogs may require more water despite their body weight. After all, they use a lot of energy throughout the day, just like puppies who typically drink more water because they're growing and more active than adult dogs.

What Happens if a Dog Doesn’t Drink Enough Water?

A dog’s body needs water to function, and without it, your dog can quickly become sick and dehydrated.

Without water, a dog’s organs will eventually become malnourished due to water deficiency. If prolonged, the kidneys, liver, and other organs will begin to shut down, ultimately resulting in death. Don’t be wary because a healthy dog will drink enough water to stay hydrated willingly.

However, suppose a dog has health conditions such as kidney disease, metabolic disorders (diabetes), cancer, and is pregnant/nursing, they’re at risk of dehydration. If this is the case with your dog, monitor how much water they drink to ensure they’re drinking their recommended daily water intake.

To check if your dog is dehydrated, PetMD suggests following these steps:

• Gently pinch the skin between the shoulder blades 
• Pull the skin up gently and release it
• Watch for the skin to fall back into place

PetMD says that if your dog is well hydrated, the skin should quickly return back to place without hesitation. However, if the skin is returning slowly or stays up for some time, then your dog is indeed dehydrated. Still, we recommend always double-checking with your veterinarian.

What Does it Mean if a Dog Drinks an Excessive Amount of Water? (Over Drinking)

If you notice your dog is drinking more water than usual, immediately consult your veterinarian because overdrinking is a common symptom of many diseases. Ensure to follow the vet’s suggestions and monitor how much water your dog is drinking.

Where to Buy Portable Dog Water Bottles?

Dogs are more than pets. They’re your friendly companions. And the best way to show them you love them is to make sure they're happy, healthy, and hydrated with Howling Dog’s best Portable Dog Water Bottle! 

We offer two Portable Dog Water Bottles in sizes of 350 mL and 550 mL to hydrate dogs of all sizes for outdoor travel and throughout the day! Not only do we come in different sizes, but our portable dog water bottles are BPA-free, meaning your pets are safe from exposed chemicals.