How Much Water Should a Dog Drink in Limerick, PA?

Owning a pet can be very rewarding. Your dog will end up being like your best friend, and they will share all kinds of special experiences with you. Dogs can become part of the family very quickly, and most of us think of our dogs like our children.

If you have a dog, you might be aware that they need to drink a certain amount each day to be healthy, but you might not know how much that is. Knowing how much your dog should be drinking can be a big help, just in case you ever think that there is something wrong with their health. The size of your dog has a lot to do with how much they should be drinking in a day, and you should know the baseline amount that they need to drink to maintain good health.

Amount of Water a Dog Should Drink Each Day

Most average-sized dogs need to drink about 1 ounce of water per pound of their weight. This means that a ten-pound dog will need to drink 10 ounces of water a day. This intake care varies some if they have been exerting a lot or if the weather is hot, but this is a good ballpark number to have in mind. You will need to make sure that you are prepared to offer your dog a lot more water if you are going to be outdoors in the heat for a long period of time as well.

Dogs that are pregnant and dogs that have just had puppies will need to drink more to help keep up with the demands of their puppies or their pregnancy. Puppies can also drink more than adult dogs because they are growing and very active during the day.

How Long Can a Dog Go Without Water?

Dogs can go for about three or four hours without water, but any longer than that can lead to them not feeling very well. If it is very hot out, you will want to be sure that your dog has access to water at all times. Dogs can get heatstroke very easily if they are not able to get enough water to stay cool. Heatstroke can be deadly, so you will want to avoid this health issue at all costs.

Make sure that you stop when you are traveling or walking with your dog every few hours to allow them to drink. They might choose not to do so, but you need to offer them the chance to have some water at this frequency to be safe. Your dog will know when to drink and when not to drink in most cases, although anxious dogs might refuse to drink for hours when traveling.

Always be sure that your dog gets a break from the crate when they are traveling both to stretch their legs and to drink. You will need to be certain that pets that are outside all day long also have access to water at all times. Having clean water to drink is key as well because some dogs will refuse to drink dirty water or water that has grown algae or other kinds of sludge while it has been sitting exposed to the elements.

When to be Concerned About Your Dog’s Water Intake

You might not be sure when you should worry about your dog’s drinking behavior. Drinking too much or too little can both be signs of health concerns that you should not ignore. Make sure that you have a rough idea of how much your dog usually drinks in a day. If you notice that they are not drinking much at all, or they seem to be drinking all the time, it might be time to see the veterinarian.

Your vet can rule out a variety of health issues that are related to an increase or a decrease in your dog’s water intake. There are many reasons that your dog might be drinking a lot more or a lot less than usual, and most of the reasons are linked with health issues that need to be treated early to have a good outcome. It is always worth it to be sure that your dog is not getting sick, and a visit to the vet can give you the peace of mind that you need for many reasons.

Is it Okay to Let My Dog Drink from Puddles or the Toilet?

While some dogs are really picky about where they get their water from, other dogs are not as concerned about where they source their drinking water. If your dog drinks from puddles or the toilet or other sources of less-than-ideal water, you should discourage these behaviors. Your dog could get sick from a variety of different things that they will be exposed to when drinking water that is not very clean.

Make sure that your dog has access to clean water and that you reprimand your dog for drinking from water sources that you do not want them to consume. You can use positive reinforcement to encourage them to drink from their water bowl as well so that you do not have to make them feel upset and scared because they have made a mistake about the water they chose to drink.

Dogs Need to Drink a Fair Amount of Water Every Day

Knowing how much water your dog needs to drink each day can make it easier to identify when there is a problem with your dog’s health. Dogs need to drink about an ounce of water per pound of body weight, which can be quite a lot if you have a big dog! Make sure that your pet has access to clean water at all times, and also be sure that they are not without water for long periods due to being crated or being in the car.

Dogs that are in the heat will need unlimited access to fresh water, and you will need to be sure that you do not ask them to exert too much. Avoiding heatstroke and dehydration is important for your dog’s well-being, no matter what breed they are or how old they are.

Give Limerick Veterinary Hospital a call at (610) 489-2848 or book an appointment online if you have any questions about your dog’s wellness and care!