Water is important to all living things. All living things need water to survive. Drinking water regularly not only helps the body digest food but also helps carry out cell activities.
But why is your dog not drinking water? Even, sometimes our furry friends deny this essential nutrient. You want to know the causes. Well, don’t worry, this article will help you find out why and how to deal with this situation.
Why is your dog not drinking water?
There are various reasons for this situation – from health to psychological causes. Scientists believe that a healthy dog should drink ½ and 1 ounce of water a day depending on its weight. If not, you should find out why your canine companion refuses this essential nutrient. Here are some reasons that you should pay attention to:
A dog puppy drinking water
Older dogs tend to drink less water than younger ones. There are some reasons for this phenomenon, but most commonly happened due to their lack of exercise, leading to a decrease in their appetite and thirst.
However, it’s important to keep an eye on your pets’ physical health. Make sure your furry friends get enough water by switching to dehydrated pet food or providing more water bowls.
Change In Water
Do you know that dogs have much more sensitive senses than us? A slight change of smell or taste in the water bowl could decrease their hydration needs. Your dog can smell any weird factors in their bowl, even the smallest amount of bacteria or leftover food.To solve this problem, it’d better always keep the bowl clean and clear before refilling fresh water for your dog.
Pug puppy and kitten sit together with empty bowl.
Dogs are one of the most curious creatures. They can eat strange things like plastic, rocks, and string without knowing they’re edible or not. In the worst scenario, weird objects can be stuck and hurt their teeth, gums, and digestive systems.
If you think your canine won’t drink water because of mouth disease, you should make an appointment with your local vet immediately.
A new environment can also make a huge influence on your dog. When dogs leave their old places, they tend to be very anxious and fearful, which usually leads to a change in their habits such as eating or drinking.
Can Dog Drink Milk?
There is no one size fits all response to this question. Most dogs can consume a few tablespoons of goat or cow’s milk, but others might have lactose tolerance. Drinking too many dairy products can cause them vomiting, flatulence, or even diarrhea. So, the best way is to ask your vet if your dog can drink milk or not.
Thirsty 7 weeks old Bernese Mountain dog puppy drinking milk
Tips to persuade your dog drinking more water
Replace dry food with wet food
Switching your dog diet is not a bad idea. However, it’s better to ask for veterans’ advice before you make any change in their diet.
Add more water to their diet
Another solution to this problem is mixing your dog food with water. This will help your dog unconsciously drink more water and be healthy.
Keep the water bowl spotless
Always keep the water bowl clean and clear! Dogs’ noses are 100 million times sensitive than ours, just a slight change of smell or taste in the water bowl could decrease their hydration needs
Add some ice cubes
You can persuade your dog to drink more water by throwing some ice cubes in their bowl. This way, your dog will feel more excited and enjoyable than only drinking normal plain water.
Now you have got your answer to the question of “Why is your dog not drinking water?” and how to deal with it! If they continue to not drink water, I suggest you should contact the vet clinic and share your concerns with a skillful veterinary doctor. It’s important to take an eye on your dog’s well-being and provide the best environment for them.