Dog owners constantly worry about their prized pets – whether they are fit enough, full enough, or whether they have exercised enough to tire them out that day. But what about if your pooch has drunk enough?
Nutrition and Hydration Week runs March 17-23 and the occasion may prompt Scots to think about their own water intake. But pet enthusiasts should also consider how much their four-legged friend is drinking too.
Google searches for ‘how much water should my dog drink?’ have surged 125 per cent in the past quarter, according to dog joint care company YuMOVE. This clearly highlights growing concerns among pet owners about their furry friends’ hydration levels.
To help owners out, the dog specialists have shared how to calculate your canine’s water intake and offered practical tips to keep them satisfied and thirst-free.
Dr Charlotte Rice, Senior Veterinary Technical Manager at YuMOVE, said: “Dogs reportedly need to drink between 20-70 ml of water per kilo of their body weight every day, with most pets needing around 50ml of water per kilo.
“This means a 30kg Labrador would need around 1.5 litres of water a day. A small breed like a Chihuahua would not need to drink as much water, while a huge dog such as a Newfoundland would need more water.”
Every dog is different, so this is a useful rule of thumb but it is crucial to understand what is normal for your dog. Remember a dog’s water intake varies with water loss through exercise and panting, so it varies day to day too.
Signs your dog may be dehydrated are dry or sticky gums, a ‘skin tent’ – a reduction of elasticity in the skin – lethargy, loss of appetite, reduced energy levels, and an increased heart rate.
So, how do you encourage your dog to drink more water? Firstly, you can offer them meat-flavoured water by adding some slightly warmed low-sodium bone broth or gravy to their water as this can enhance the smell.
You can also soak dry food or swap to a wet food, which can be an easy way to increase the amount of water that your dog takes in each day. If you’re swapping your dog’s food, make sure to do so gradually.
Also, depending on your dog’s body weight, its’s vital to have more than the right amount of water in their bowl for them to lick up, and ensure you have water placed in your dog’s favourite places both inside and outside.
Perhaps scatter a few water bowls around the house so they have more than one option, including their go-to places such as the kitchen and near their bed.
Don’t forget to put a water bowl in the garden, if you have one, especially on hot days as it’s important for your dogs to remain hydrated.
“A dog drinking fountain can also be a great way to encourage your dog to drink water,” Dr Charlotte said. “Dog water fountains have built-in filters to remove nasty smells and tastes, offer constant running water which some pets prefer, and also give your pooch a chance to play if they want.”
On walks, always bring a portage dog water bottle. Dr Charlotte recommends a collapsible bowl, a sturdy zip seal bag for those on the go or a takeaway cup to fill with water and slightly open to let your dog drink from the edge.