The Importance of Water for Life and Dogs
Drinking water, a simple everyday act, is the most basic source of energy for any living organism. Naturally, it is also essential for animals. When the body lacks the necessary water, metabolism can be easily disrupted, leading to health issues and diseases.
For dogs, severe dehydration can cause problems such as constipation and dehydration itself. Additionally, it greatly increases the risk of kidney stones and urinary tract infections. Therefore, ensuring that dogs stay hydrated is very important. Providing them with sufficient drinking water every day is essential!
However, many pet parents have expressed that their dogs don't like to drink water and don't know what to do. This article will share some tips on how to get your furry friend to willingly drink water, helping to make drinking water the best habit for your dog.
How Much Water Does a Dog Need Daily?
Generally speaking, a puppy's body is made up of about 80% water, while an adult dog's body contains around 70% water. Because dogs have a faster metabolism than humans, their bodily functions and metabolic processes rely heavily on water to operate smoothly.
The exact amount of water a dog needs each day depends on the individual dog's condition and specific factors. As a rule of thumb, puppies require more water relative to their weight due to their rapid metabolism—on average, about 150 milliliters (ml) of water per kilogram of body weight. For adult dogs, the daily water intake averages between 50 to 60 ml per kilogram of body weight.
External factors also influence how much water a dog needs. For example, dogs with poor kidney function must have their water intake carefully controlled. Dogs that exercise more will require more water, and during hot weather, dogs need to drink even more to stay properly hydrated.
If you want a simple way to check if your dog might be dehydrated, you can try this quick test: gently pinch the skin on your dog's neck or shoulder and then release it. Observe whether the skin quickly springs back to its normal position. If the skin returns slowly, it means your dog is likely not drinking enough water—this is often referred to as poor skin hydration.
Additionally, you can look for other signs of dehydration such as sticky or thick saliva, sunken eyes, the color of the tongue, constipation, or unusual lethargy. These symptoms are common indicators that your dog's body is lacking sufficient water.
Why Don't Dogs Like to Drink Water?
1. Importance of Refreshing Your Dog's Water Regularly
If you always wait until your dog finishes all the water in their bowl before refilling it, completely ignoring the basic daily need to provide fresh water, rest assured your furry friend will definitely not enjoy drinking water.
Firstly, a dog's tongue is far more sensitive than a human's, and they prefer flowing, fresh water over stagnant "dead" water. Naturally, dogs will be more attracted to the fresh taste.
Therefore, if you frequently fail to replace fresh water in a timely manner or neglect to clean the water bowl, it not only encourages bacteria to multiply in the water but also risks causing digestive issues or bacterial infections in your dog.
2. How to Cultivate a Water-Drinking Habit in Dogs
Dogs' desire or willingness to drink water is largely related to the habitual actions their brains have formed. Simply put, if you want your dog to drink water voluntarily and regularly, it all comes down to building good habits in daily life!
Developing a dog's water-drinking habit is much like teaching a child to drink water consistently. At appropriate times and situations, using certain techniques to guide and encourage your dog to drink more water can make a big difference. Over time, with patience and consistent effort, you will no longer need to worry about your dog not liking or refusing to drink water.
3. Understanding Your Dog's Health and Hydration
When a dog is feeling unwell, it's not just about a poor appetite or reluctance to drink water. Particularly in cases of gastrointestinal issues, kidney inflammation, or any kind of bodily pain or illness, dogs often show a significant drop in their energy levels. Naturally, during these times, dogs tend to lose interest in drinking water.
That's why it's important to regularly observe your dog for any unusual signs or changes in their health so problems can be identified early. Illnesses often cause pets to suddenly avoid drinking water. If you notice your dog hasn't drunk any water for several consecutive days, it's best to take them to a veterinary hospital for a thorough check-up to ensure their well-being.
Additionally, if a dog has oral health issues or mouth ulcers, this can also make them reluctant to drink water. Therefore, it's essential to perform a routine oral examination each day when you brush your dog's teeth. This allows you to detect diseases or problems early on.
Caring for your dog's oral health requires some dedicated effort from pet parents, so be sure to help your furry friend brush their teeth regularly!
4. Understanding Low Water Intake in Indoor Dogs
Indoor dogs generally tend to drink less water, especially small breeds kept inside. This is often not because they are dehydrated, but rather due to their low levels of physical activity. Many of these dogs either do not get enough exercise or spend most of the day resting and sleeping, waiting for their owners to return home. This sedentary lifestyle naturally reduces their need for water.
Additionally, if you notice that your dog drinks very little water during the day and try to compensate by forcing them to drink more water at night, it can backfire. Overloading them with water in the evening may cause them to develop a strong aversion to drinking water altogether.
How to Get Your Dog to Like Drinking Water?
1. Encouraging Dogs to Drink More Water Through Exercise
When it comes to exercise, the goal is not just to encourage dogs to drink more water, but to benefit their overall health in many ways. Regular physical activity helps improve digestion by promoting gastrointestinal motility, boosts metabolism, and strengthens muscle capacity. Most importantly, it can help dogs develop a positive association with water!
Imagine a dog happily running and playing at the park, then feeling extremely thirsty afterward. When they come home, the very first thing they want to do is drink water! In other words, by moderately increasing your dog's exercise routine, you naturally trigger their instinctual need to hydrate.
2. Interactive Drinking Games for Dogs
Are drinking activities only meant to be about playing with pet toys? If your dog enjoys spending quality time with you, why not turn drinking water into an interactive game? For example, you can prepare several bowls of water and hide treats in one of them. This encourages your furry friend to search happily while both eating and drinking at the same time.
Besides using interactive game methods, regular water-drinking training is also a great approach. By using hand signals or verbal commands to guide your dog to drink water, and immediately rewarding them each time they comply, you can reinforce good drinking habits.
Whatever type of interactive game you choose, it will surely make your beloved pet willingly drink more water and enjoy the process!
3. Feeding Dogs with High Water Content Fresh Food
Most commercial dog foods have a very low water content. If your dog isn't fond of drinking water, they can easily become dehydrated. A great way to keep your dog well hydrated is to feed them fresh ingredients that have a high water content.
Vegetables such as cucumber, spinach, white radish, bell peppers, and Chinese cabbage are excellent choices to include in your dog's diet. If you don't have time to prepare fresh meals, you can soak dry kibble in warm water before feeding it to your pet. However, this method might not be suitable for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Alternatively, offering your dog fruits with high water content daily is also beneficial. Examples include apples, oranges, guavas, and watermelon. Just be sure to feed these fruits in small amounts as a general rule.
4. After-Meal Soup and Snacks for Dogs
Just like us, dogs can find plain water tasteless and unappealing. While we might choose to drink some flavored beverages to stay hydrated, our furry friends can only watch longingly as we sip on treats like bubble tea.
At times like these, consider adding a little variety to their water by diluting it with milk or yogurt, or by preparing bone broth or beef soup as a small treat after their meal. These options not only enhance the aroma and entice your dog to drink more but also help them absorb valuable nutrients like iron and calcium.
Offering such flavorful and nutritious liquids can stimulate your dog's desire to drink and contribute to their overall health and hydration.
Conclusion
When introducing water to your dog, start by adding a higher proportion of liquid to attract them. Gradually increase the amount of water over time to help your furry friend develop a genuine liking for drinking water.
Additionally, a reminder for pet parents: never give your dog untreated tap water. Untreated water can contain harmful bacteria and is unsafe for your pet.
Furthermore, providing mineral water is not advisable as it can cause your dog to consume excessive minerals, which may lead to problems like urinary stones.
