Watching your dog refusing their water can be worrying. Water is essential for their health, supporting everything from digestion to temperature regulation. When you don’t think your best friend is drinking enough, it's important to understand why and know what steps to take. This article provides you with knowledge and options to help your dog stay properly hydrated.
Understanding hydration in dogs
Water isn't just important for dogs, it’s essential! Approximately 73% of your dog's non-fat body mass is water, making it the most critical nutrient for cellular function (NRC, 1986). Unlike fat or glycogen stores, dogs are far less tolerant to water loss than humans, which is why maintaining proper hydration is crucial.
Water serves multiple vital functions in your dog's body. It's a major component of blood, facilitating the transport of oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. Water is also essential for digestion, helping break down food and absorb nutrients. Additionally, it plays a key role in thermo-regulation which helps your dog maintain a safe body temperature, especially during warm weather or physical activity. Finally, water is necessary for the efficient excretion of waste products through urine and faeces, supporting kidney and urinary tract health. (Case LP et al, 2000).
Dogs lose water through multiple pathways
Respiration through the lungs, evaporation from the skin, in urine and faeces, and during lactation for nursing mothers are all ways in which does can lose water. During hot weather or exercise, dogs lose additional water through panting as they attempt to cool down, and persperation through their pads.
How much water should a dog drink?
The right volume of water intake depends on your dog's diet, activity level, and environmental conditions. Dogs gain water from three main sources: drinking, moisture in their food, and metabolic water produced when the body breaks down fats, and proteins.
Diet plays a significant role in their need for water. Dogs consuming canned or wet food (which typically contains 75-85% moisture) often drink noticeably less water than dogs eating dry kibble, which is usually less than 10% moisture. In fact, dogs on wet food diets can obtain up to 75% of their total water requirements from their food alone. Dogs on dry food diets need to drink a lot more water to compensate for the low moisture content of their meals.
As an example, in nature whole prey is often the primary source of water for carnivores. The water component of that prey ranges from 60 to 85% (Dierenfeld et al, 2002). Thirst is directly associated with body water content and plasma concentration. This means your dog may not feel thirsty until mild dehydration has already begun.
This delayed thirst response makes it essential to make sure fresh water is always available, rather than waiting for your dog to show obvious signs of thirst.
What Causes Dehydration in Dogs?
- Illness or Fever: Sick dogs often drink less while losing more fluids through vomiting, diarrohea, or a high body temperature .
- Dental Problems: Painful teeth or gums can make drinking uncomfortable
- Dry Food Diets: Dry kibble significantly increases water requirements
- Environment: Hot weather increases water loss through panting and perspiration through the pads of their feet
- Kidney disease: Older dogs with kidney issues may have altered thirst responses
- Stress or anxiety: Changes in the environment or routine can affect drinking behavior
- Water quality issues: Dogs may refuse water that tastes or smells unpleasant
Signs and Symptoms Of Dehydration
- Dry, sticky gums instead of moist and slippery
- Loss of skin elasticity – to test, gently pinch the skin; it should snap back into place quickly
- Sunken, dry eyes, cracked nose
- Decreased energy or lethargy
- Thick saliva
- Dark yellow and or concentrated urine
- Panting more than usual when not exercising
- Loss of appetite
Severe dehydration is a medical emergency. If your dog shows signs of extreme lethargy, very dry gums, sunken eyes, or collapse, contact your vet immediately.
How can I give my dog fluids if he won’t drink?
If your dog is refusing water, try these options to increase hydration:
Switch to moisture rich foods
The most effective way to increase your dog's water intake is by changing thier diet. Wet or canned dog food contains 70-85% water, compared to just 10% or less in dry kibble. Switching from dry to wet food, can dramatically increase your dog's total water intake without them needing to drink more from their bowl. You can also add toppers like Totoniks or bone broth to dry kibble to significantly increase its moisture content. Make sure any bone broths are low in sodium.
Make drinks more fun
Keep water fresh by changing it multiple times daily. Add ice cubes to keep water cool and interesting. Use a pet water fountain, some dogs prefer running water. Or better still add Totoniks or low sodium bone broth to water or pour it on their food.
Make water-rich toppers or treats
Frozen treats made from low-sodium bone broth or Totoniks, pureed dog-safe fruits like watermelon or blueberries frozen in ice cube trays, can provide both hydration and enrichment. You can also offer small amounts of dog-safe fruits and vegetables with high water content, such as watermelon or cucumber.
Feed High-Protein Low-Carb Foods
Research shows that high protein diets naturally increase water intake and urine volume in dogs, which helps maintain proper hydration and urinary tract health. High carbohydrate diets (common in many dry foods) can actually decrease water intake while concentrating the urine, potentially putting strain on the kidneys and urinary system. (Research in Veterinary Science,Volume 74, Issue 2, 2003) (Front. Vet. Sci., 07 November 2025 Sec. Animal Nutrition and Metabolism)
What To Do If Your Dog Is Dehydrated:
If you think your dog is dehydrated, take these steps:
- 1. Contact your veterinarian for guidance, especially if dehydration is moderate to severe.
- 2. Offer small amounts of fresh, cool water frequently rather than allowing unlimited access all at once (drinking too quickly can cause vomiting)
- 3. Encourage drinking by offering ice chips or Totoniks
- 4. Move your dog to a cool, shaded area if heat is a factor
- 5. Watch for improvement or worsening symptoms
Never force water into your dog's mouth if they are lethargic or semi-conscious, as this can cause drowning. Severe dehydration often requires veterinary intervention, including intravenous fluids to quickly restore hydration status.
Long periods of dehydration can cause serious organ stress, particularly to the kidneys. Chronic dehydration puts pressure on the kidneys and other organs, which can lead to inflammation, damage, or even failure. Kidney disease is a leading cause of illness in dogs, making proper hydration throughout life critically important for your dogs long term health.
Keeping Your Dog Properly Hydrated:
Proper hydration is fundamental to your dog's health and wellbeing. While some dogs naturally have lower thirst drives, ensuring adequate water intake through a combination of fresh drinking water and moisture rich foods can prevent serious health complications. By understanding the causes of dehydration, recognizing early warning signs, and implementing practical strategies, you can help your dog maintain optimal health.
If your dog is consistently refusing water or shows signs of dehydration despite your efforts, consult your veterinarian. Persistent drinking problems may indicate underlying health issues that require professional diagnosis and treatment. Remember, when it comes to your dog's health, it's always better to seek veterinary advice sooner rather than later.
References
Case LP, Carey DP, Hirakawa DA, and Daristotle L (2000) P12 in Canine and Feline
Nutrition: A resource for companion animal professionals, Second Edition. St
Louis: Mosby.
Dierenfeld ES, Alcorn HL, and Jacobsen KL (2002) Nutrient composition of whole
vertebrate prey (excluding fish) fed in zoos
(Front. Vet. Sci., 07 November 2025 Sec. Animal Nutrition and Metabolism)
Front. Vet. Sci., 07 November 2025
Sec. Animal Nutrition and Metabolism
Volume 12 - 2025 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2025.1675990
National Research Council (NRC; 1986) Nutrient requirements of cats. Washington,
D.C.: National Academy Press
Research in Veterinary Science,Volume 74, Issue 2, (2003)
