Why Won't My Dog Drink Water? Causes and Vet Signs

Despite many wanting to scoff at everything in sight, many dogs simply aren’t as keen when it comes to drinking water.

Hydration is crucial when it comes to a dog’s health, as it’s essential to all their vital processes. In the summer months, this becomes doubly important, as dogs lose a lot of moisture in warm weather. Plus, they find it hard to regulate their body temperature without water to help cool themselves down.

Sometimes, it might seem impossible to get your dog to drink enough, and the last thing you want is a parched dog! So to keep your dog happily hydrated and well-functioning, read on for some smart tips and tricks to encourage your dog to drink more water.

Reasons why a dog won’t drink

There could be a number of reasons why your dog won’t drink enough water.

• Illness is one of the most common causes, especially issues like infections, nausea, or the sick feeling that comes from dental issues. If they have a UTI, for instance, they might not drink because peeing is painful.

• Pain or injury can make it uncomfortable to move toward the bowl or even lower their head to drink; this can also happen after surgery.

• Stress and anxiety caused by separation, a noisy environment or recent changes at home (a house move, new baby or pet) can also disrupt your dog’s normal drinking habits.

• Older dogs may drink a lot less than they used to in their younger years, which is worth keeping an eye on, even though it’s normal.

• Finally, dogs can be fussy! They might not like the positioning of their drinking station, an unclean or smelly bowl, or if the water is lukewarm or old.

Why is hydration important for dogs?

Drinking water supports every vital function in your dog’s body, helping deliver a variety of functions, including:

• Lubricating vital organs

• Encouraging digestion

• Supporting circulation

• Boosting energy and vitality overall

Dogs also have extra struggles in the warmer months, because they can only cool off through their tongues (by panting) and their paw pads. This means they need extra help regulating their body temperature, and drinking enough water is super important in keeping them cool and comfortable.

How much should my dog drink?

Your dog should be getting an adequate amount of water per day, depending on their age, size and breed.

• A small dog may only need about 8-10 fluid ounces of water per day.

• A mid-sized dog, around about 17-34 fluid ounces a day.

• A large dog, anything from about 51-68 fluid ounces.

Signs of dehydration in dogs

Severe signs of dehydration will require an emergency visit to the veterinarian.

Look out for the following indicators that your dog isn’t getting enough water and could be suffering from dehydration.

• Dry or tacky gums rather than moist, slick to the touch.

• Sticky saliva, as if there is little moisture in their mouth.

• Dry nose. Dogs’ noses aren’t always wet, but a dry nose can be a sign of dehydration.

• Lethargy or low energy. Dogs who haven’t had water in a while will seem tired and sluggish throughout the day.

• Sunken eyes that don’t have their usual brightness.

• Panting more than usual, and not just because it’s hot. Panting without a clear reason can point to dehydration.

• Loss of skin elasticity, when the skin doesn’t spring back when you lightly pinch it.

How long can a dog go without drinking water?

Your dog needs a drink every single day. But for those that eat wet food, the amount of water they drink may seem less as the wet food provides the hydration they need. If they go 24 hours without water, they will start to show signs of dehydration, and the average dog will only survive up to three days without a drink.

If you’re worried your dog might not have drank all day, look out for signs they may be dehydrated and offer them fresh water to glug. If they refuse, do not force them to drink - there are more strategic ways!

How do you motivate your dog to drink water?

If your dog is refusing to drink, do not force them to. It’s very important that they drink the water on their own, unless administered by a veterinarian.

You could also offer them water from different bowls and bottles, or try any of the following tips and tricks to get your dog to drink!

How to get your dog to drink water: Tips & tricks

Dogs can be fussy when it comes to drinking! Get ahead of their hydration by trying some of these nifty dog-drinking tricks.

• Always refresh their water. You wouldn’t want to drink old, dusty water - nor does your dog! So make sure their water is always fresh. Each morning, empty their water bowls and give them a wash before refilling with fresh, cool or cold water.

• Offer ice cubes or ice lollies. Especially in the warmer weather, try some frozen treats, such as ice cubes with a blueberry or chunk of apple inside. You could also freeze some dog-safe broth or unsweetened coconut milk in an ice-lolly mould, and offer it to them to lick (just don’t let go of the stick).

• Make it easy for them to drink. Water should be placed at various places in the house, and be easy for them to reach. If they’re outside a lot, place some fresh water in the yard. Be sure the bowls are big and full enough, and placed at a suitable height so they don’t have to stretch or bend too low. Plus, be sure to monitor and constantly refresh water bowls that are kept outside to avoid any bacterial build-up or the ingestion of nasties.

• Try all kinds of receptacles. Dogs like to drink from bowls, bottles, your hand, tupperware, jugs and more. Try placing an unusual container filled with water somewhere that your dog can reach - the novelty alone might encourage them to drink. Even a well-placed pet water bottle with a straw (one that usually feeds rabbits and hamsters) can be intriguing to a fussy dog.

• Integrate drinking with playtime. Water doesn’t have to come from a bowl - dogs love to drink and snap at water from fountains, water sprinklers, hose pipes and paddling pools in the summer. If you can disguise drinking as playtime with water, your dog won’t even notice they’re hydrating themselves.

• Spoon-feed them water. Your dog will love the one-to-one attention you give them by feeding them water directly with a spoon. You could also try a ladle or a pet-friendly syringe, or just offer water in your cupped hands.

• Give lots of praise. Your dog should get the message loud and clear that it’s a good thing when they drink water, so make sure to give praise and affection, or even slip them a healthy treat each time they go for a sip. This is especially important if they don’t drink as often as they should.

• Bring a drink on walks. Your dog is most likely to get thirsty when exercising, so be sure to always bring water with you on a dog walk for on-the-go drinks. You can feed your dog water from a water bottle for dogs or a collapsible water bowl.

Should I be worried that my dog isn’t drinking enough?

If your dog doesn’t seem interested in drinking, it could just be a bad habit that needs gentle encouragement to become more regular.

If your dog still won’t drink after all of the tips listed above, however, you should definitely book an appointment with your veterinarian to check that there aren’t any underlying causes.