Hydration & Bone Safety
My Dog Isn't Drinking Enough Water: What to Do?
Is your dog not drinking enough water? Learn how much water dogs need daily and discover practical tips to encourage your furry friend to stay hydrated.
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Enter weight and activity level — 10 seconds and you get the daily portion.
My Dog Isn't Drinking Enough Water
Chronic dehydration can lead to urinary stones, kidney weakness, and constipation.
How Much Water Does My Dog Need?
0.75-1.0 fl oz / lb body weight / day (50-70 ml / kg).
| Body Weight | Daily Water |
|---|---|
| 11 lb (5 kg) | 8-12 fl oz (250-350 ml) |
| 22 lb (10 kg) | 17-24 fl oz / ~2-3 cups (500-700 ml) |
| 44 lb (20 kg) | 34-47 fl oz / ~4-6 cups (1.0-1.4 L) |
| 66 lb (30 kg) | 50-71 fl oz / ~6-9 cups (1.5-2.1 L) |
| 88 lb (40 kg) | 68-95 fl oz / ~8-12 cups (2.0-2.8 L) |
Water consumed through food also counts. Wet food is 70-80% water, while dry kibble is only 8-10%.
When Does Water Requirement Increase?
- Hot weather (double)
- After exercise/walks
- Lactating female (3-4x)
- Kidney disease, diabetes (PU/PD)
- Diuretic/corticosteroid treatment
- After a bout of diarrhea
Signs of Insufficient Water Intake
- Skin turgor: skin slowly returns to place
- Dry, sticky gums
- Sunken eyes
- Thick, dark yellow urine
- Lethargy
- Hard, dry stools
8 Tricks to Encourage Drinking
- Place multiple water bowls around the house
- Provide fresh water daily and wash bowls regularly
- Use ceramic or stainless steel bowls (NOT plastic)
- Offer running water (pet fountain)
- Increase the proportion of wet food (70/30 = +7-10 fl oz / ~1 cup water)
- Offer unsalted, unseasoned bone broth
- Flavor water (e.g., a spoonful of unsalted tuna juice)
- Give ice cubes as a treat on hot days
What NOT to Do
⚠️ NEVER restrict water (not even overnight) — it can cause kidney damage ⚠️ Do not give milk as a water substitute — lactose can cause diarrhea ⚠️ Do not give carbonated or salty mineral water
See a Vet If:
- Your dog hasn't drunk water for 24 hours
- Your dog suddenly drinks a lot (PU/PD — diabetes, kidney disease, Cushing's)
- Dehydration + lethargy/vomiting
- Urine is bloody or very scant
Free tool — no sign-up
Enter weight and activity level — 10 seconds and you get the daily portion.
References
- 1.National Research Council (US), Committee on Animal Nutrition — Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats. National Academies Press, Washington DC, 2006. https://doi.org/10.17226/10668 (accessed: 2026-09-10)
- 2.WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee — WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines. World Small Animal Veterinary Association, 2021. https://wsava.org/global-guidelines/global-nutrition-guidelines/ (accessed: 2026-09-10)
- 3.FEDIAF (European Pet Food Industry Federation) — Nutritional Guidelines for Complete and Complementary Pet Food for Cats and Dogs. FEDIAF, 2024. https://europeanpetfood.org/self-regulation/nutritional-guidelines/ (accessed: 2026-09-10)
This is general information and does not replace a veterinary diagnosis.
This guide was compiled based on the expert input of Reka Fazekas-Birizdo canine nutritionist.
Certified Canine Nutritionist