Is Your Dog Drinking Too Much Water?
Updated On: Tuesday, November 12, 2024 10:05:10 AM America/Los_Angeles
Water is essential for a healthy pup, and lucky for us, dogs have no problem enjoying their water. After a great run in the park on a sunny day out, it’s not unusual for dogs to come home and lap up an entire bowl of water. It can even seem like some dogs could drink an endless amount of water, but how much water is actually too much?
Photo by Daniel Brunsteiner
How Much Water Do Dogs Need?
A dog generally needs 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight, but the amount of water needed depends on a variety of factors including:
- Weight: Larger dogs require water than smaller breeds. Active, large dogs will tend to drink more water than the 1 ounce per pound guideline.
- Activity: Strenuous activity -- especially in warmer seasons -- can lead to increased water intake.
- Weather: Hot weather isn’t the only cause behind thirst. Dry, cold winters can also drive thirst.
- Illness: Kidney diseases and gastrointestinal diseases that affect bowel movements may result in increased water intake.
- Diet: Wet food offers more moisture than a dry food only diet. In addition, some foods contain more sodium than others, which can affect thirst levels. Expect changes in water intake if there is a change in diet (including treats).
- Dehydration: Dehydration can be caused by activity, weather, or illness.
However, any combination of the above factors can affect the amount of water needed. Even small adjustments can affect how much water a dog drinks, so always provide more water than needed.
Can a Dog Drink Too Much Water?
This can be a tricky question to answer because there are so many variables in play that can affect water intake day to day. Even many humans may not be able to recollect how much water they drink on average. If you’re uncertain how much your dog is actually drinking, utilizing a water bottle can help you keep track. Being aware of your pup’s baseline amount will help make monitoring any extreme changes easier.
Technically, it would be difficult for a dog to drink “too much” water. However, monitoring water intake is important because excessing drinking can indicate a larger problem. If you’re concerned about your pup either water drinking or urinating too much, speak to a vet as soon as possible, as it may indicate an underlying medical condition.
Meanwhile, if your fur baby is experiencing excessive urination, having a real grass pee pad like DoggieLawn is useful for those extra dog bathroom trips. This helps make things more manageable for you and less anxiety-provoking for your pup.
