How to Get A Dog To Drink More Water

How to Get A Dog To Drink More Water

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Davinia eating her frozen yogurt cube

Staying Hydrated in the winter

Every year when the weather cools down and most of the world has to turn the heat up people worry about how to get a dog to drink more water. That is because they know that the dry heat makes us more thirsty and most likely has that effect on our dogs too. We wrote a post back in February of 2011 in reponse to one of our long time reader’s questions called 5 Ways to Get Your Dog to Drink More. Since I am currently contemplating putting the heat on I felt that this would be a great time to touch on the subject again.

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how to get a dog to drink more water

Picky Drinkers


Davinia and Indiana are picky drinkers. They like to drink out of a small animal water bottle. They lick the tube control ball and begin drinking. This allows me to leave water for them in their crate without them knowing it over or taking up prime sleeping space. I can also leave their crate open for them so they can just walk over and drink. This is the exact water bottle we have and I think it would be fine for a dog up to at least 30 pounds. It has a rather wide ball that they lick to get the water which means a dog under 10 lbs is probably better off with a water bottle meant for bunnies or other small animals that has a smaller licking ball. For really big dogs they make water ball attachments that can go right on the outside or inside spigot that allows your dog to get water directly from the tap anytime they would like.

Davinia and Indiana had to learn to drink out of the water bottle before we moved to Hong Kong when they were younger. Once they acquired the skill it seemed useful for them to keep it.


Davinia and Indiana will both drink out of big giant bowls where their ears get soaking wet. There are a ton of different kinds of bowls that are on the market now that help keep your dog’s ears out of the water that might work for your family. Sometimes it is a matter of experimenting to find what works for you. From Spaniel Bowls to no slobber bowls each dog will have their own preference and need.

Staying hydrated

If if figuring out how to get a dog to drink more water is medically related try adding water to their food. You can either just pour some water into their food last second before serving it to them or you can let the food soak in the water until it is all soaked up by the kibble. You can then bake it in a pan like a meatloaf let it cool and pour some more water on top before serving. Another option is to give a little carrot juice with their food or on the side as a substitute for water will give your dog extra vitamins and minerals. Which in turn will help your dog heal and the sweet carrot taste will make them drink more.

Have a really stubborn pup that will just not drink water? You can make them chicken soup. Throw some chicken into water and boil if you are feeling really adventurous you can throw in some chopped up carrots and celery and maybe even a little bit of powered garlic (DO NOT ADD ONIONS OR SALT). Boiled chicken is great for a dog with an upset stomach or a dog recovering from surgery or you can pull the chicken out and just give the broth over their normal dinner. Make a big batch and store in an airtight container so you just need to warm it back up for later or let it sit out at room temperature before serving. You can put some warm (not hot) broth out on a cold day as a special treat just remember that your dog will need to go out to potty more often.

What tips do you have to help people figure out How to Get A Dog To Drink More Water?
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Comments

  1. Stacey Monroe says

    These are all great tips. I used to have this problem with my dog. She was getting urinary infections. But fortunately she loves tomato’s and carrots which seem to have enough water in them.

  2. This is such an interesting tip and it like the idea of the water bottle. Very interesting concept. I never really thought that you’d have to worry how much a pet drank, I just thought if they were thirsty they would drink.
    Still Blonde after all these YEARS recently posted..Halloween Giving Sharing, Top Seven Halloween Costumes for BoysMy Profile

  3. I had no idea that my dog’s water drinking would slow down in the winter! I will have to try these ideas and see if I can keep them drinking.
    Sarah recently posted..Miracle-Gro for your fall gardening woesMy Profile

  4. Makes sense that dogs would need to stay more hydrated during the winter months when we turn on the heaters in our homes. I wish I had a tip for you!
    Teresha recently posted..Wordful Wednesday: Happy Halloween!My Profile

  5. Jenna Wood says

    I think the water bottles are great aids, especially for crate trained pups- but it can be hard to get them to transition to larger portions when they can easily become dehydrated. Great tips!

  6. I didn’t realize some dogs didn’t drink enough. You have good tips and hope that it picks up

  7. What a neat idea. I never thought of using a water bottle for a dog. We used them for our rabbit & guinea pigs.
    Ellen Christian recently posted..Win Your Way with New Social Shopping Platform #WinYourWayMy Profile

  8. I always thought that dogs just drank when they needed it.. thanks for the article.

  9. Not a dog owner but am a mother or a baby girl who sometimes doesn’t drink enough. Great tips!

    Xo
    Tairalyn

  10. I guess I got lucky – my dog never had the drinking problem – but so good so know if something changes
    Lena recently posted..Key Lime Cove: Water & Fun w/o the SunMy Profile

  11. My beagle girls love drinking out of human glasses, they also love ice cubes, great idea for the berries in the water I will definitely have to try that.
    katie mitchell recently posted..Decadent Doggie Natural Jerky ReviewMy Profile

  12. My Sheltie is a picky drinker. He makes me nervous as he’s so high energy but even when he’s panting hard after playing, he won’t always drink. For some reason, he does prefer to go outside and drink out of that water bowl. However, if at all possible he waits until he can either eat snow or lick water off one of the cars! We have found one bowl that he’ll drink from more often, especially at agility class- the road refresher from jolly pets. It only allows in a bit of water at a time. If that’s what attracts him to it, maybe the water bottle would help too. Thanks for the suggestions!

  13. I am constantly worried about everyone… I have two kittens that I used to worry about but got one of those flowing water dishes and they drink all the time now.
    Debbie recently posted..Holiday Gift Guide 2012 – my ubby {giveaway}My Profile

  14. that is such a great idea! I really wonder if this would work for a cat? Our cat does not drink enough water, because his water dish is in his room. But he is stubborn and doesn’t like to leave the family to go for a drink. But we can’t move the water dish because our toddler get it and makes a big mess of it. Maybe something like this might tempt him enough to get more liquid. I will need to research and see if it will be good for cats. 🙂
    Amber Edwards recently posted..Outdoor Fire pit brings enjoyment to Autumn Garden DecorMy Profile

  15. My in laws have a problem with getting their pups to drink more, especially since they stay outside for the most part. I will have to tell them about this!

  16. I’ll have to remember these tips for my neighbors
    Jeana recently posted..Win Your Way at ShopYourWay.comMy Profile

  17. Great advice, I always worry if my dog is drinking enough!
    krystle recently posted..OPI Holiday CollectionMy Profile

  18. Great post. Will def keep this in mind to share with friends
    marina recently posted..30 Ways To Give – Be a Host Family {#30DayGive}My Profile

  19. Had never heard of using a water bottle for dogs but it’s a neat idea.
    Emily recently posted..HGG: Litiquette Boutique Baby and Toddler Shoes Review and $15 Gift Card #Giveaway 11/17 WWMy Profile

  20. thanks for the tips we have never had that problem before but I am bookmarking this site just in case we ever do
    Melissa recently posted..Sharing Winnie’s StoryMy Profile

  21. great tips!

  22. our Yorkie doesn’t drink enough water in my estimation. I base it on his stools, and the level of difficulty he has ‘going’. My sis-in-law sent me a great picture, These sound like wonderful ideas. http://thefamilyvet.net/storage/Purina%20Fecal%20Scoring%20Chart%20REALLY%20FINAL.pdf
    In my research, one of the other things that have been mentioned is getting a water ‘fountain’, like what are used for cats. Since he seems to enjoy water from a hose most of all, I think we will be trying the fountain idea.
    Thank you for all of your great ideas!

    • I heard that pumpkin is good for adding fiber (plain pumpkin, NOT pie filling). I put a teaspoon of pumpkin in an ice cube tray and dilute with water and freeze. Only serve one or two per day. My dog likes it! He gets extra fiber and water!

  23. Anne Foster says

    My dog drinks very little water. I soak the fry pan in water after cooking steak at night and give to her as a water broth and am amazed at how much she will drink in one go. Its a great way to soak and clean the fry pan….and not put it down the sink.
    She also likes watermelon.
    I will try a different bowl as she does have long ears….I had not considered that as a problem for her.

    • No, I wouldn’t do that! That is way too much grease for a dog. Why would you let your dog eat the grease just so it doesn’t have to go down a sink, toss it out.

  24. Even in Summer my pug won’t drink much water! Very seldom do I see her drinking water..

  25. Max our little dog just recently had surgery to remove oxylate crystals from his bladder……..unfortunately, he still will not drink water. Different bowls, doesn’t happen……water fountain……doesn’t happen……a bit of chicken broth in the H2O……doesn’t happen……if I add water to his food……chances are he is going to eat it……and he is already pretty small. He is on UD food which has a high water ratio, which he eats, not a lot, but will eat………….at my wits end to know what else to do. Any new ideas out there that may help? B/c of the oxylate problem, he is very limited in what he is able to eat……..which makes things like carrots, etc., out of the questions…..any ideas would be greatly appreciated. His pH is running low and his Sp.Gr. is running btwn 1.028 and 1.03……too high Thanks for any and all help.

    • Try sprinkling a little puppy milk powder (goats milk) in lukewarm boiled water just to flavour it slightly. Worked for mine who barely drank anything.

  26. Peggy McElwain says

    I have a older dog that refuses to get off the couch, she refuses to drink water, she won’t go to the bowl at all. we have bought 2 pet fountains and nothing. We bought a thing that makes the water move so that it doesn’t stale up and nothing. we usually have to make her drink. I am going to try the carrot juice and watering down her food. that way she gets something. Had her to the vet and she is healthy. Just refuses to drink. Anyone got any idea.s

  27. Anita Daniels says

    My dog was only drinking water added to her dog food.
    She began acting strange. I took her to our vet. Exam, blood tests. Results, “Extremely dehydrated” She had to stay there and be put on IV’s overnight. She is better now and I am also trying to figure out what to give her to encourage water intake.

  28. Anita Daniels says

    My vet suggested using several different sizes and colors of bowls in different rooms to make it easier for her to obtain the liquid. Also mixing some Gatorade or orange juice into the water.
    I like that hint about the pumpkin ice cubes added to water although Sweetie Pie would not drink the water with regular cubes.
    I found out this water problem can be very serious to your dog and costly to the owner

  29. Also hot dog water – cooled of course. Or adding tuna or salmon juice to the water.

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