There’s a general rule of thumb that humans should drink at least 8 cups of water per day — but what about puppies? If you’re wondering, “How much water should a puppy drink in 24 hours?” Look no further — you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we’ll answer common questions about puppies and water, like: when can a puppy start drinking water, how much water to give a puppy, how to tell when your puppy is dehydrated, and more.
When Can A Puppy Start Drinking Water?
So, when can puppies drink water? Well, puppies start drinking water at around 3 to 4 weeks of age. During this time, they wean from their mothers, switching from milk to solid food as their teeth begin to come in.
But how much water does a puppy need each day, and how do you make sure your puppy stays hydrated? Keep reading to find out.
How Much Water Do Puppies Need?
There's no exact amount of water that a puppy should drink each day — every puppy is different.
The amount of water that your puppy needs to stay healthy depends on a variety of factors, including: their size, the amount of exercise that they get, whether or not it’s a hot day, if they have a medical condition, and how much liquid they take in via other means (like eating wet food instead of kibble, or consuming treats with a high water content, like cucumber or watermelon).
A good rule of thumb, though, is to give your puppy approximately 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight per day. So if you have a 10-pound puppy, he should drink a little more than 1 cup of water every 24 hours.
You should also always make sure that your puppy has plenty of fresh water available, and wash their drinking bowl daily to avoid bacteria growth.
How Much Water Should a Puppy Drink During Potty Training?
When potty training your puppy, you may want to let them drink water throughout the day, then take their water bowl away before bedtime. This helps reduce your puppy’s need for nighttime bathroom breaks. If you do this, try to remove your pup’s water bowl around the same time every night to establish a routine.
Also keep in mind that until your puppy is old enough to control their bladder — at around 9 months — they’ll probably have to go to the bathroom within 10 to 30 minutes after drinking water. So, if your puppy drinks water freely, you’ll have to take them out for potty breaks a lot.
Be patient, use positive reinforcement, and remember to reward any potty training progress with praise and training treats.
What to Do If Your Puppy Isn't Drinking Water
Your puppy’s thirst levels can change depending on the weather or how much they exercise, so some variation in water intake can be normal. However, if you notice that your puppy is uninterested in drinking, or hasn't had any water over the course of several hours, check for other signs that something may be wrong. If your little pal is lethargic, lacking in appetite, or showing any signs of pain, contact your vet immediately.
If your puppy needs a bit of encouragement to drink water, try placing their water bowl near their food bowl. You can also try giving them bone broth (just make sure it's unseasoned and doesn't contain onions, which are toxic to dogs) or add a few ice cubes to their water bowl. However, if your puppy isn't drinking enough water on their own, the absolute best thing you can do is check in with your vet to rule out any underlying health issues.
How To Tell If Your Puppy Is Dehydrated
Just like us, puppies can get dehydrated if they don’t drink enough water. Symptoms of dehydration in dogs include:
- Panting
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Dry nose
- Dry, sticky gums
- Pale gums or bright red gums
- Thick saliva
- Loss of skin elasticity
A good way to tell if your pup is dehydrated is to check for skin elasticity, which you can do with the “skin tent” test. Gently pinch your puppy’s skin between their shoulder blades, pull it up slightly, then let it go. If your puppy is well-hydrated, their skin should quickly return to its normal position. If they are dehydrated, however, their skin will stay in the “tented” position for longer, not bouncing back as quickly.
If you notice any of the above signs of dehydration in your puppy, contact your vet ASAP.
What To Do If Your Puppy Is Dehydrated
If your puppy is dehydrated, it’s best to seek a vet’s help to get them hydrated again. If your puppy drinks too much water at once, they might vomit. To treat severe dehydration, the vet may give your puppy fluids intravenously or under the skin to help them get back to normal.
Can a Puppy Drink Too Much Water?
While it’s important for your little buddy to stay hydrated, there is such a thing as drinking too much water — and it’s called water intoxication.
Most healthy dogs won't drink too much water on their own accord. The biggest danger for water intoxication comes when dogs are swimming — particularly if they're swimming after a ball — and they accidentally swallow large amounts of water.
Signs of water intoxication include:
- Loss of coordination
- Lethargy
- Nausea
- Bloating
- Drooling
- Pale gums
- Vomiting
- Glazed eyes
If you notice these symptoms in your puppy, contact your vet right away.
My Puppy Is Drinking A Lot Of Water — Should I Be Concerned?
Is your puppy drinking more water than usual? Before you worry too much, remember — each dog is unique. It’s important to familiarize yourself with your puppy’s routine and get to know what’s normal for your dog.
Puppies are very susceptible to change, so the simple act of switching their food or increasing their exercise can prompt them to drink more water. Typically this should settle back down in time, but if you notice continued guzzling, closely monitor your pup.
It’s also a good idea to contact your vet any time you notice a change in your puppy’s regular drinking or eating habits. They can help you rule out any underlying health issues like diarrhea, diabetes, or kidney and bladder infections, or certain medications that can cause excessive thirst.
Dog Food As A Source Of Hydration
If you’re concerned about your puppy’s water intake, you might consider feeding them wet food — like our Jinx Patés or Homemades — which give your pup extra moisture in addition to all of the essential nutrients they need to thrive.
You can also treat your pup to dog-friendly fruits and veggies in moderation — like watermelon, blueberries, and cucumber which have a high water content.
However, no food or treat is a substitute for regular access to refreshing drinking water. Be sure to keep your puppy’s water bowl full and clean so they can drink up!
At Jinx, we're here to upgrade the way you care for your dog by providing holistic nutrition made with thoughtful formulation, real ingredients, and a whole lot of love. Get started with our premium, pup-approved wet food and kibble today.