How to Encourage Puppies to Drink Water

Water is essential for almost every function in your puppy's body, forming 84 percent in its body. According to Pet Education, an animal in general requires two and a half times water as its food intake. If the food intake is 2 lbs. of dry food, then the amount of water should be 5 lbs., and in case of 4 oz. of dry food, the water intake should be 10 oz. (1 1/4 cup). Factors such as exercise and high heat can increase the normal water intake by two or three times. Your puppy usually may drink more than the normal amount. While a little above normal is not worrisome, too little consumption is something you certainly need to be concerned about.

Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase a brand new water bowl. The bowl and the quality of water can affect your puppy's water-drinking habits. Do not use dirty, worn-out bowls. Pour fresh water in a clean bowl. Purchase a good quality bowl such as stainless steel and stoneware crock-style types. Clean the bowl daily and replace if it looks worn out or heavily scratched.

    • 2

      Change water several times in a day to encourage your puppy drink water. The taste of fresh water over water left over a period of time can be refreshing and entice the puppy to drink more water. Also, change the location of the water bowl each time to make the activity more tempting for the puppy.

    • 3

      Offer water of different temperatures to increase your puppy's intake. According to Pet Education, pets like to have cool water during summer and water at room temperature in winter. Pet Education also cautions against using snow as a form of water intake for dogs.

    • 4

      Try the technique of warming water with a little beef broth. The flavor of broth can attract the puppy to the water and make him drink it. Sledge dog racers use this method to keep their dogs hydrated.

    • 5

      Exercise your dog. Take it for a long walk or increase playtime so that it gets thirsty. If possible, give water during the exercise because this helps the dog's metabolism burn glucose more efficiently and stay cooler.

    • 6

      Make drinking water a fun activity for your puppy. Purchase a water fountain bowl to feed water. The sight of running water adds more excitement and makes drinking water more interesting for the puppy.