There are a variety of reasons why a dog drinks little. We list the most common causes and a guide to how much dogs should drink. We also give lots of tips on how you can get your dog to drink more.
How much should a dog drink per day?
How can you tell if a dog is drinking too little?
If a dog is very inactive, sleeps a lot, seems listless, doesn't like going outside and urinates little, the reason could be a lack of water. On the one hand, this could be because the dog has no water available, but on the other hand, it could also be that the dog is drinking too little for certain reasons. In the worst case scenario, this can lead to the dog becoming dehydrated, its blood circulation collapsing, stones forming in the bladder or the dog suffering a heat stroke.
To find out if your dog has not been drinking enough fluids, you can check the following:
- Urine test
The darker the urine is, the stronger it smells and the less the dog pees, the more likely it is that it is dehydrated.
- Skin fold test
Form a skin fold by pulling on the skin of the neck and observe how quickly it returns to its original position. The slower this happens, the more likely dehydration is to be expected.
- Oral mucosa test
Press a finger on the mucous membrane below the dog's teeth. It will briefly turn white and should return to a pink color within two seconds. If not, this could indicate a lack of fluids.
- Checking the amount of water ingested
If your dog does not drink any other water when you walk it, you only need to measure the water you put in the water bowl. After 24 hours you can calculate how much water he has drunk. With dry food you will get the actual amount of water consumed, with wet food you must remember that liquid is also absorbed through this.
Why is my dog drinking too little water?
If you have the impression that your dog is drinking too little, you should find out the cause. Because in the long term, this is a health risk. But perhaps the impression is deceptive:
- Switching to wet food
If you switch from dry food to wet food or barfing, you will certainly notice that your dog suddenly drinks significantly less. However, this difference is normal as he is now consuming a lot of liquid with his food.
- Stressful situations in everyday life
If a dog is constantly stressed, this can affect its eating and drinking behavior. Is there perhaps another dog that is oppressing him? Is he constantly being teased by children? Or is one of the family members too strict with him? If so, you should stop such situations.
- Problems around the drinking bowl
Find a place for the drinking bowl where the dog can drink undisturbed. There is also nothing wrong with placing two bowls in the apartment and, if you have a terrace, another one here. This way, the dog can choose freely and is reminded to drink. However, it's not just the position, but also the bowl itself that can be a problem. For example, some dogs don't like shiny, rattling metal bowls, others don't like plastic bowls that can smell over time. Or perhaps the water bowl is constantly shifting on a slippery floor? Then try a non-slip base or a heavier ceramic bowl.
- Supplies elsewhere
Normally you have a pretty good overview of when and where a dog drinks water. However, he may also drink water from the garden pond, bird bath, puddles or other water supplies without you noticing. You should keep this in mind to be on the safe side.
- Health condition of the dog
If a dog drinks a lot, this may be due to various illnesses such as kidney disease or diabetes. If he drinks too little, diseases such as leptospirosis are fortunately rather rare. Typical is a short-term refusal to drink after an operation; male dogs can also simply forget to eat and drink because a female dog in heat has turned her head. The water should also not be too cold; dogs with dental problems in particular drink very little of it.
What can I do if my dog doesn't drink enough?
It is crucial to find out the cause. Perhaps it is due to stress in the household or problems around the water bowl, which you can solve. Or perhaps the dog is simply lazy and needs to be encouraged to drink. To do this, you can place several drinking bowls around the house or, if necessary, on the patio or in the garden. Another option is to set up a drinking fountain. It also works very well if you put water in the food bowl.
The dog will then usually slurp the tasty water out of the bowl before eating the food. Or you can refine the water yourself. Add a small amount of liver sausage, a few blueberries, a pinch of meat stock or some cow's milk. Tastes vary, so you may have to test a little here. And if you have been feeding your dog dry food up to now, you can of course switch to wet food. The dog will then automatically consume more liquid. If you are not sure whether the dog is drinking enough despite your measures, visit your vet and have the dog checked to be on the safe side.