How Often Should You Give Water to a Dog?

As a dog's body is 60 to 70 percent water, the clear liquid is the most important nutrient in its diet. Between respiration, urination and evaporation, pooches lose a lot of water and need constant replenishment. In most cases, dogs are instinctual enough to self-regulate their drinking, although puppies may need an occasional nudge. Keep a few things in mind when trying to figure out how often to give a dog water.

  1. Why Water is Vital

    • Dogs are prone to heat stroke.

      Not having enough water is detrimental for dogs. If they lose 10 percent of their water, serious illness is a probability. A loss of 15 percent will result in death if they don't get a water source immediately. Even a severe bout of diarrhea can lead to intense dehydration and an immediate veterinarian check-up is recommended. As dogs only sweat through their foot pads, they maintain their body temperature through panting so proper hydration is vital. Ideally a dog should have access to water at all times.

    Water Guideline

    • Use a measuring bowl to assess how much your dog is drinking.

      An easy to remember guideline for how much water your dog needs is up to one ounce of water per day per pound of body weight. So a 20-pound pooch needs 20 ounces (or 2-1/2 cups) of water per day, for example. Other factors can increase or reduce this figure. Dogs who eat dry food vs. wet food need more water. On hot days, dogs pant more and will need more than one ounce of water per pound. And if the dog is getting a lot of exercise, he will need more water.

    Medication

    • When figuring out how often to give a dog water, bear in mind that any medications a dog is taking affects the amount of water she requires. Heart medications increase urine output and subsequently increase thirst. Seizure drugs cause high levels of thirst and appetite. Steroid hormones, pain medications and diuretics can all cause excessive thirst. Dogs on medications should be given water as often as possible.

    Water Alternatives

    • Dogs can get a portion of their daily water requirements by consuming things other than water. Ice cubes are loved by most dogs and can satisfy a dog's thirst. Wet dog food can be up to 75 percent water. If the dog is normally served dry food, you can add water to the dry pellets and see if he will eat it. If the dog is usually fed people food, treats such as apples, watermelon and other food with a high water content can add to the dog's overall water intake.

    Dangers of Dogs Not Getting Enough Water

    • A dog drinking nonstop can be indicative of a bacterial or viral infection.

      If a dog isn't able to get enough water, the consequences can be dangerous and even fatal.

      Too little water can result in dehydration, kidney stones and organ failure, among other things. Keep in mind that dogs who over-drink or under-drink can have underlying illness issues such as diabetes or Cushing's disease, so a trip to the veterinarian might be in order. Having a fresh water supply available at all times is ideal.