Water is one of the most important things your dog needs daily, just like us humans and other animals! This is the major component of healthy organs and living cells in our bodies. Without the right amount of water, our bodies won’t function well, causing dehydration and many risks that can cost lives.
This is why it’s important to always provide your dog water, refilling their water bowl, bringing a pet water bottle from PetSwag when outdoors, and monitor their water intake.
But how much water does a dog need, anyway? Read on to find out.
How Much Water Does My Dog Need?
There are various ways you can estimate how much water a dog would need, and there are many factors to consider. For instance, think about their size, breed, age, activity levels, as well as any physical conditions they have. Factors like walking your dog daily with a no pull dog harness can cause their need for water to go up!
In general, dogs need to drink about 1 ounce of water for every pound they weigh daily. But again, there are different things to consider, all of which affecting how much dogs need to drink. This is why you shouldn’t restrict your dog’s water intake and give him as much water as needed unless it was recommended otherwise by his veterinarian.
Just make sure your dog has access to fresh and clean water daily. You won’t need to measure it unless your veterinarian tells you to do so, but if you would like to make sure, you can ask their vet about their recommended water intake and check online dog water calculators.
Why Dogs Need Water
Water would facilitate our metabolic processes, from the way we digest our food up to our brain activity, breathing, and blood flow. Our body and blood are composed of water, flowing through our bodies to remove harmful toxins while transporting oxygen.
If dogs do not have access to water, it can harm organs and cause their body temperatures to spike, causing dehydration and/or heatstroke.
Keeping Your Dog Hydrated
Now that you know how important water is for dogs, how can you help them stay hydrated? If your dog doesn’t seem to drink a lot of water throughout the day, here are some helpful tips you can follow:
- Be sure to always refill your dog’s water bowl with fresh water. Clean their water bowls at the end of the day to prevent them from drinking any bacteria or dirt.
- Place the water bowl near your dog’s food, bed, or in places he likes staying in.
- When your dog drinks water, reward him with a treat and lots of praises.
- Try flavoring your dog’s water with chicken or bone broth to entice him to drink a lot!
- Offer ice cubes, which dogs love chewing, as this can help increase water intake.
Wrapping It Up
You should never scrimp on giving water to your dogs, as this is a necessary component to keep them healthy and hydrated! Make sure that their bowls are always filled with clean drinking water and encourage them to drink as much as necessary.