How to Get My Dog to Drink More Water: Simple Tips

Water plays a role in nearly every aspect of your dog's health, from digestion and nutrient absorption to energy levels and temperature regulation. Yet many pet parents are surprised to discover their dog isn't drink as much as they expected. You fill the bowl in the morning, and by evening, it's barely touched. Sound familiar?

The good news is that encouraging healthy hydration habits is often simpler than it seems. Small adjustments to your dog's routine, environment, or meals can make drinking water more appealing, ultimately helping support their overall well-being.

In this guide, we're sharing steps you can take to get your dog to drink more water. We'll also discuss why hydration matters for your pup's health, how much they should be drinking on average, and helpful tips for incorporating more water in their daily diet.

Why Hydration Matters for Your Dog's Health

Water does far more than satisfy a dog's thirst. In fact, it plays a vital role in nearly every function of their body. Think: digestion, circulation, temperature regulation, joint comfort, kidney function, and nutrient absorption.

It's also important to remember that hydration needs aren't the same for every dog. Factors like size, age, activity level, diet, environment, and overall health all influence how much water a dog needs each day.

How Much Water Should a Dog Drink Each Day?

A common guideline is that dogs need about one ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. Therefore, a 40-pound dog would typically need 40 ounces of water, or about 5 cups. However, this is a guideline, not a rule.

Every dog is different, and hydration needs can vary. Water needs go up with exercise, warm weather, dry kibble diets, pregnancy, nursing, and certain medications. Additionally, dogs who receive wet or human-grade gently-cooked fresh dog food may drink less from their bowl, as their meals already contain extra moisture.

Signs Your Dog May Not Be Drinking Enough

Some common signs of inadequate hydration include:

• Dry or sticky gums
• Lower-than-usual energy levels
• Excessive panting
• Thick saliva
• Reduced appetite
• Less frequent urinations

You can also perform a simple skin elasticity check at home. Gently lift the skin between your dog's shoulder blades and then release it. In a well-hydrated dog, the skin should quickly return to its normal position. If it settles more slowly, it may indicate dehydration. Age, body condition, and other factors can influence the result, so the test should be a helpful observation rather than a definitive assessment.

Common Reasons Dogs Don't Drink Enough Water

A dirty bowl, stale water, a bowl placed in high-traffic spots, stress, travel, or a recent food adjustment can all influence how frequent your dog stops by to take a sip. Some dogs even prefer moving water over still water in a bowl.

Additional health-related reasons may include dental pain, nausea, arthritis making it hard to bend down to a floor-level bowl, urinary issues, or other underlying health conditions.

How to Get My Dog to Drink More Water at Home

Keep water fresh, clean, and easy to reach. Refresh your dog's water regularly and wash their bowl daily.

Try a different bowl or pet fountain. Some dogs prefer wider, shallower bowls. Stainless steel and ceramic bowls are popular options.

Add moisture to meals. Dry kibble provides complete nutrition and contains less moisture than wet or human-grade gently-cooked fresh dog food. Mixing in a small amount of warm water, wet food, bone broth, or pouches can add moisture without ranking formats.

Use dog-safe flavor boosters. A small amount of dog-safe bone broth can make drinking and mealtime more enticing. Choose a broth specifically formulated for dogs whenever possible. Broth-Licious cups are one option.

Make hydration part of play and routine. Offering water after walks, meals, training sessions, playtime, and periods of rest creates regular opportunities for your dog to drink.

Hydrating Foods and Meal Ideas That Can Help

Water doesn't have to come exclusively from your dog's water bowl. Many dogs get a meaningful portion of their daily moisture from their food. Wet foods, human-grade gently-cooked fresh dog food, and rehydrated freeze-dried recipes all naturally contain a considerable amount of moisture.

What to Avoid When Encouraging Hydration

Rather than changing several things at once, try introducing one new strategy at a time. Foods and flavorings made for people often contain seasonings or additional ingredients that aren't intended for canine diets.

Making small daily changes to your dog's diet can help increase overall hydration.

Knowing how to get your dog to drink more water doesn't require a major overhaul. Fresh water, clean bowls, a little moisture in meals, safe flavor additions, and a consistent routine can go a long way.