My dog doesn't like water very much. How much water does he need to be healthy?

Question

My dog Jack doesn't drink very much water. I have 5 other dogs, and they all drink a lot of water.

On the other hand, the only time I see Jack drink water is after we get back from taking them on a long walk or jog. And even then, he might drink for a few seconds, and then walk away.

It's like he just doesn't like water!

Lately, I have been adding a little milk and sugar to his water, and he will drink it that way.

Is there something wrong with him?

He's got thick hair, and it's the middle of summer, so I don't get why he isn't drinking.

(He's a "Benji" dog; part schnauzer/spaniel/silky terrier, if that has anything to do with it.)

Answer 1

It may be something to do with the other dogs.  Does Jack take a submissive role to the others?  Try giving him water under a no-pressure situation with other dogs out of sight perhaps.  Definitely good for a dog to get plenty of fluids.  My dog - also named "Jack" - loves his water : ) but he's got no competition for it either.

Answer 2

dont worry he'll drink when he wants, he obviously doesnt need as much as the other dog.  Please stop poisoning him with sugar though, you will make him sick!!

Answer 3

Please don't add milk (that is from a cow & not meant for dogs) or sugar (bad, bad, bad...causes hyperactivity & other problems) to your puppy. It will drink the water when it's thirsty. If your dog is younger and teething (or you can even do this for a fun, harmless treat), give them some crushed ice. My dogs LOVE this & it really hydrates them in the heat of the Deep South (though they do live inside to protect from that). Try giving it ice cubes in its water bowl, crushed ice or just be patient. You know he'll drink after exercise (when he's obviously thirsty). He'll drink when he's ready, I promise.

Answer 4

i wouldnt put milk or sugar in his water anymore. chances are, he just isnt thirsty as much. dogs are pretty smart. if he really needs it, he'll get it.  

Answer 5

Well, here is my stab at this......

First of all, I wouldn't add milk or sugar or anything like that to your dog's water.  Like for people, water is necessary for good health, and like people, water needs can vary, from dog to dog.  While there is no "one size fits all" approach, lets see how it looks, if we adapt our water needs to our dogs.  If we look at the replacement approach, and reduce it down to say, a 45lb dog, we can consider that he might lose approximately .5 liters per day, via urine output.  Add approx another .25 liters per day, through breathing, sweating (panting) and bowel movements.  That comes to about 3 cups of water per day.  Depending on if you feed your dog wet food versus dry food, and/or other table scraps/food that contains water, this figure may be a bit less.  A 15lb dog may thus drink about a cup per day, and a 30lb dog perhaps 2 cups per day, drinking water......as a rough average.  And remember, these numbers are just general averages......more or less could just as easily be considered "normal" for any particular animal.

Exercising, environmental factors, the health of your dog, and the like, may also affect your dog's water consumption (as you noticed, after a long walk or a jog.  As long as your dog appears and behaves in a health manner, and as long as your dogs urine is not overly dark, or has an unusually strong odor, you can assume that he/she will maintain adequate hydration, as long as a supply of fresh water is constantly available.  

As humans, we use thirst as a one guideline, for proper hydration.  When we are thirsty, that is usually an indication that we are already a bit dehydrated.  While it is better for us, as humans, to drink before we become somewhat dehydrated, since our dogs most likely are not so thoughtful, they most likely rely on their thirst.

And finally, like for us, too much water can be unhealthy, resulting in a dilution of electrolytes (you may recall hearing about the death of an individual, after a water drinking contest on a radio station), so it most likely is not a good idea to treat your dogs water, in order to encourage more than his normal desire to drink.  And, of course, all this is predicated on your dog being in good health - if you believe at any time that your dog is not in good health, based on his or her behavior, as it results to their water consumption, it is best to visit your Vet.

So, like with people, who all can be a little different, Jack may simply be less of a water consumer than his buddies!  Some of us are "drinkers" and some of us not so much! :-)

Hope this helps............

Answer 6

I have a staff bull terrier who didn't seem to drink a lot - until I realise that he would much rather drink from puddles outside than the clean fresh drinking water I provide for him, it's quiet lucky I live in manchester coz it rains all the time here so there are always lots of puddles!!

Don't worry I think your dog will drink when he is thirsty enough.

Answer 7

maybe he just doesnt liek to drink water,, give him some wet food sometimes because that has alot of water .. so you wont be forcing him to drink water but to *eat* it... also ask the vet just incase

Answer 8

Please do not add milk to the dog's diet, dogs are incapable of properly breaking down the enzymes in milk, which can lead to diarrhea and the loss of electrolytes, which would be very bad since he does not seem to have a strong thirst drive. You may have to switch him to either a canned diet or a raw diet to get the moisture he needs, or you could also water down his food, which is how I get my dogs to drink more water.

He really should go to the veterinarian though, there could be some underlying issues, and the your vet will be able to answer any other questions you may have on the subject.

Answer 9

You need to keep a big bowl of water or a 5 gallon automatic dispenser out for them at  all times.  A dog should have access to water 24 hours a day. Don't give him water with anything in it, it will defeat the purpose of water.  

Answer 10

well does hge stay in side a lot because its probley cool in side so he dosnt get that thirsty or maybe he drinks when ur not looking at him u neva know.

answer this question

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?...

Answer 11

We give our dogs bottled spring water.  There is sulfur in the tap water where we live and our dogs (and us) won't drink the water.  I would make sure you comb his hair every day so he stays cooler.  If you think he has a kidney problem, you should take him to the vets.

Answer 12

It doesnt matter if he doesn't like it, he NEEDS it. Always keep a fresh bowl of clean water 24/7. If he's thirsty, he'll drink it. Dogs wont kill themselves of dehydration. They're not that dumb.

Answer 13

I dont think you should give your dog sugar.

Alot of people don't know it, but dogs can be diabetic.

Mine is.

And when we give her sugar when she doesn't need it,

she has seizures.

Your dog really doesn't have a choice.

He needs to be drinking

his water,

and only water.

Maybe some warm milk before bed is fine.

But don't add sugar.

milk has enough sugar in it.

i hope he's drinking the right amount =]