How much water should my puppy and dog drink in a day?
Each puppy and adult dog is an individual and so it’s difficult to put an exact figure on how much they need to drink each day. However, research shows that it’s recommended both puppies and dogs have between 50 ml of water per kilo of their body weight per day [5]. For example, an 8kg dog should be having about 400 ml per day.
Here’s a table of approximately how much water your dog should be drinking a day per their body weight.
| Dog’s weight | Daily water (approx.) | ||
| 1-5 kg | 2.21-11.03 lbs | 50-250 ml | 1.76-8.80 oz |
| 6-10 kg | 13.23-22.05 lbs | 300-500 ml | 10.56-17.60 oz |
| 11-15 kg | 24.26-33.08 lbs | 550-750 ml | 19.36-26.40 oz |
| 16-20 kg | 35.28-44.10 lbs | 800-1000 ml | 28.16-35.20 oz |
| 21-25 kg | 46.31-55.13 lbs | 1050-1250 ml | 36.95-43.99 oz |
| 26-30 kg | 57.33-66.15 lbs | 1300-1500 ml | 45.75-52.79 oz |
| 31-35 kg | 68.35-77.18 lbs | 1550-1750 ml | 54.55-61.59 oz |
| 36-40 kg | 79.38-88.20 lbs | 1800-2000 ml | 63.35-70.39 oz |
| 41-45 kg | 90.41-99.23 lbs | 2050-2250 ml | 72.15-79.19 oz |
| 46-50 kg | 101.43- 110.25 lbs | 2300-2500 ml | 80.95-87.99 oz |
| 51-55 kg | 112.46-121.28 lbs | 2550-2750 ml | 89.75-96.79 oz |
| 56-60 kg | 123.48-132.30 lbs | 2800-3000 ml | 98.55-105.59 oz |
This amount is an estimate, and dogs on a wet or raw diet will get some of their water intake from their food.
How do I know my dog is drinking enough?
You can tell if your dog is drinking enough water by checking their eyes. A dog not drinking enough water will have dry, dull, and sunken eyes. Their gums will also be dry and sticky. You can also carry out a ‘tenting test’.
This test involves lifting up a small section of skin between your dog’s shoulder blades and letting it go. If the skin bounces back quickly, this can be a sign your dog is hydrated [7]. However, if the skin takes a while to go back down or stays up in the tent position, your dog is dehydrated.
What can cause dehydration in dogs?
Dehydration is when your dog loses more fluid than it takes in. Common causes of dehydration in dogs are [1]:
- Not drinking enough water
- Not having access to fresh water
- Specific health conditions, like liver or kidney disease, diabetes, and cancer
- Being unwell; vomiting, or having diarrhoea
- Heatstroke
- Over-exercising
Signs of dehydration in dogs
To spot if your dog is dehydrated look out for these symptoms [1]:
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Lack of energy
- Panting
- Sunken dry eyes
- Dry nose
- Dry sticky gums
- Thick saliva
- Lack of skin elasticity
Why is my dog not drinking water?
Dogs have a higher thirst drive than cats, so you’ll often see your dog going for a hydrating drink. If your dog starts to reduce their intake, there can be several reasons why:
- They aren’t thirsty; dogs are good at regulating their water intake and will drink when they need to
- Their food is supplementing their water intake; wet and raw food has a higher moisture level than dry kibble
- They are finding water elsewhere; yep, the toilet could be one place they are drinking from. A dripping tap is also tempting to dogs
- Something is preventing them drinking; an injury to the jaw or dental issues
- There is an underlying health issue; bladder infection, urinary tract issues, diabetes, and kidney disease are the most obvious reasons [3]
Discover our dog nutrition guides to understand the benefits of a nutritious, raw diet.
How long can a dog go without water?
The longest a dog can go without drinking is 48 to 72 hours. At this stage, your dog will be severely dehydrated and will need immediate treatment. If your dog has refused to drink anything for 24 hours, seek veterinary advice.
How can I get my dog to drink water?
Whether your dog is healthy or sick, here are some tips to encourage them to drink more water:
- Keep their water bowl clean. You wouldn’t like drinking out of a dirty mug, and likewise, your dog may not like drinking out of a dirty bowl
- Try adding ice cubes to their water. This may make them interested in drinking, Or, give them an ice cube to chew on. Never give ice cubes or really cold water to a dog suffering from heatstroke as this will cool their body too quickly. Give them room temperature instead
- Ensure they have access to fresh water
- Experiment with different water bowls. Some dogs prefer to drink from glass or ceramic bowls
- Struggling to drink from the bowl may prevent your dog from drinking. If so, consider a raised water bowl
- Place water bowls around the home so your dog has easy access wherever they are
- Mixing bone broth with your dog’s water may make it more interesting to them. Many dogs find the aroma and taste of bone broth irresistible
Why is my dog drinking so much water?
Ruling out factors like an increased temperature or activity level, drinking an increased amount of water may be a sign that something isn’t right. Health conditions that can make a dog drink more water include [4]:
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Urinary tract infection
- Diabetes
- Cushing’s Disease (possibly accompanied by an increase in appetite as well)
- Increased calcium levels
Certain medications, like steroids or diuretics, can increase a dog’s thirst.
Does my dog need more water in the summer months?
Dogs may need to drink slightly more water when it’s hot, but this depends on breed, age, health, exercise level, and food. For instance, wet food or a raw diet contains more moisture than kibble. Giving a healthy dog ice cubes to crunch on is another great tip for cooling your dog down. However, never give ice cubes to a dog with heatstroke, as this will cause their body temperature to drop too quickly.
References
- Warning signs of dehydration in dogs, American Kennel Club: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/warning-signs-dehydration-dogs/
- Urinary frequency in dogs: What you need to know, American Kennel Club: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/why-is-my-dog-peeing-so-much-urinary-frequency/#:~:text=How%20Often%20Should%20My%20Dog,Klein.
- Reasons why your dog won’t drink water, Veterinary Emergency Group: https://veterinaryemergencygroup.com/blog/dog-wont-drink-water/#:~:text=Bladder%20infections%20and%20urinary%20tract,veterinarian%20or%20an%20emergency%20vet
- My dog is drinking a lot of water, The Vets: https://thevets.com/blog/dog-drinking-a-lot-of-water/
- Measurements of water in dogs, American Journal of Physiology: https://journals.physiology.org/doi/abs/10.1152/ajplegacy.1938.125.1.75?journalCode=ajplegacy
- Nutrient requirements of cats and dogs, National Research Council: https://books.google.co.uk/books?hl=en&lr=&id=aqeCwxbRWvsC&oi=fnd&pg=PA1&dq=Nutrient+Requirements+of+Dogs+and+Cats.+National+Research+Council.+Washington,+D.C.:+The+National+Academies+Press.+2006:246-25&ots=LEa1pYAvnQ&sig=wSiWsC1N7GgyuD4D1Qm30nOmbHg&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false
- Evaluation of skin turgor and capillary refill time as predictors of dehydration in exercising dogs, AVMA Publications: https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/ajvr/80/2/ajvr.80.2.123.xml
FAQs
How much water should a dog drink in 24 hours?
It’s recommended that dogs drink around 50 ml of water per kilo of their body weight each day. This is a recommendation, not an exact amount, so don’t be too concerned if your dog isn’t getting this amount.
Should I limit my dogs' water at night?
Dogs drink what they need to so they need to have access to water at all times.
Do senior dogs need more water?
As dogs age they may need to drink more water than they did as older dogs can become dehydrated more easily than a younger dog.
When should I worry about my dog drinking a lot of water?
If there are no obvious reasons why your dog is drinking more, such as it’s hot or they’ve been doing more exercise than usual, and if your dog is also showing signs that they are not well, then you should get vet advice from your vet.
How many times should a dog pee per day?
Dogs typically pee between 3 to 5 times a day. Marking territory can make it seem like your dog is urinating more than this. Dogs with kidney issues may urinate more. Puppies will need to go more frequently as they have tiny bladders, and senior dogs can develop incontinence, so they may urinate more as well. [2].
Why is my dog drinking lots of water suddenly?
A dog may suddenly start drinking more if the weather has got warmer, they are being more active than normal, or if they’ve discovered that playing with water while drinking is fun. Drinking more can also be a sign of an underlying health issue so keep an eye on them to see if they start displaying other symptoms.
Why is my dog not eating but drinking water? (and sleeping a lot)
A loss of appetite, increased thirst, and having no energy can be signs there is something not right and it’s worth having a chat with your vet.
My dog won't eat or drink and just lays there. What can be the problem?
A dog that isn’t eating or drinking and who is lethargic may not be well. There are numerous possible reasons and your dog should be seen by a vet as soon as possible to determine the cause.
Why is my dog not drinking water but peeing?
Peeing but not drinking as much water as they should be can be a sign of a health issue and it’s worth having a chat with your vet.
Why is my dog drinking lots of water and licking paws?
Drinking more and excessive licking of their paws can be caused by a health issue like being dehydrated, or it can be an allergic reaction to something. Behavioural issues like being anxious or stressed can also cause dogs to do this.
Why is my dog coughing after drinking water?
This is more likely due to how your dog is drinking its water. Water may be getting up your dog’s nose or they may be gulping water down, which is causing your dog to cough.
Why is my older dog peeing in the house and drinking?
Incontinence can develop as dogs get older, which causes a senior dog to lose control of their bladder. Both male and female dogs can develop incontinence, but it is more commonly seen in female dogs. Incontinence can be a normal sign of aging for some dogs, but it’s a good idea to get this checked in case there is something else going on. Also, as dogs get older, they may forget their house training.
Find out more about dogs’ health as they age with our expert written guides.
