Is my dog ​​drinking enough water?

Reviewed by Christy Caplan, CVT, on July 18, 2022

You know that you have to drink eight glasses of water a day. But what about your dog? You see them drinking, but how much water do they actually drink? We’ve collected what’s on dogs and water, so you can trust your dog is hydrated — or recognize the signs when they’re not getting enough.

Help your dog stay hydrated

Most dogs are eager to drink when they’re thirsty, but your dog probably doesn’t seem to want to drink it all down. To encourage hydration, check the basics first. Make sure your furry friend is always provided with clean water. It’s harder for your dog to become dehydrated when they have access to really fresh water. To make sure your dog doesn’t dry out:

• Change your pet’s water every day. Like you, your dog needs access to plenty of fresh water. Clean your pet’s bowl daily to prevent bacteria and germs from building up in the bowl, which can discourage dogs from drinking and possibly make them sick.
• Watch out for debris that could fall into your pet’s bowl. Hair and debris easily contaminate their water and make it unattractive.
• Keep the bowl in a cool or shaded place indoors, out of direct sunlight. Your dog is less likely to drink water from a warm bowl that has been exposed to the sun.

iStock / Chalabala

Provide water on the go

If you’re going for a long walk, visiting a dog park, or hiking, prepare extra water for your dog.

Even if your outing is relatively short, bring water if it’s hot. If you want a water bottle, maybe your dog will too.

One collapsible silicone water dish Convenient for easy drinking on the go or a dog thermos bottle like Highwave AutoDogMug Essentially a water bottle with a drinking bowl on top so your dog can easily take a few sips as you squeeze.

For more on portable dog water and water bottles, check out these articles:

How much water does a dog need?

Dogs should drink about one ounce of water per pound of body weight per day. If your dog is really active, or a puppy, they may need more. And like humans, dogs also need more water when they’re outdoors in hot, dry conditions.

Doggy is dehydrated

During the hot summer months, it’s important to keep your dog hydrated at home and on the go, but you should know the signs that your pet isn’t drinking enough. To see if your dog is dehydrated, check for the following:

• They are listless. A dehydrated dog will not be like them, and may run fast or drool.
• They are looking for water. If your dog is thirsty, they will be frantically looking for something to drink.
• Their gums are pale, dry and/or sticky. Pale, dry, or sticky gums are a reliable symptom of dehydration.
• You did a sketchy check of them. Take the dog’s scalp (the loose skin on the shoulders) and lift it off its back. If your dog is dehydrated, it will take a long time for the skin to settle back down. If your furry friend is hydrated, their skin will tighten in no time.

Generally speakingIf your dog has a medical condition, is sick, vomiting, has diarrhea, or has another illness, monitor their water intake and make sure to monitor them to make sure they don’t develop signs of dehydration.

If you suspect your dog is dehydrated

What should you do if you suspect your dog is dehydrated?

• Give your dog small sips of water to help rehydrate — don’t let them drink too quickly or it could cause vomiting.
• If they don’t care about water, try giving some ice cubes—Hold on, making sure they don’t get eaten too quickly (as this can cause bloating).
• If your pet’s symptoms do not improve or get worse, take them to the vet right away.

Related reading