Water plays a vital role in the overall health and well-being of puppies. It helps them regulate body temperature, helps digestion, helps the body absorb nutrients, and expel waste and toxins through the body. In short, water can keep their bodies functioning normally.

The amount of water your dog drinks throughout the day is a good indicator of their overall health, so you must pay attention to their water intake. Freshpet veterinarian Dr. Aziza shared some of the main reasons why you should pay attention to your dog's water intake, and what to do if you find that it doesn't seem to be normal.

A dog drinking more water than usual can mean many things, not all of which are worthy of attention. Your dog's thirst level may change due to activity, diet, or more serious medical problems (such as diabetes or urinary tract infections). If you suddenly notice a significant increase in the amount of water your dog is drinking, please take your dog to your veterinarian for further evaluation to determine the cause of this increase in water consumption.

Dogs on a high-moisture diet tend to drink less water than dogs on a dry, kibble diet. Canned or fresh meals, such as the Freshpet Select Chunky Beef recipe, can have a moisture content of up to 70% or higher. This elevated water content helps meet the dog's daily water needs and reduces the need to drink large amounts of water.

The second reason may be that the water is not appetizing. Some dogs prefer fresh water, so if you don't change the water regularly, you may see them look interested, or even smell the water and walk away. If you find this happens, try to replace the water with fresh water throughout the day, or buy a water dispenser that can do this for you. You can even add things like chicken soup to flavor the water and encourage them to drink.

The third and more serious reason is that dogs may feel pain or discomfort, and drinking water can make them feel worse.

When the veterinarian determines the dog's daily water intake, we calculate the maintenance level. This is the minimum amount of water required to maintain good health without dehydration. This daily maintenance level is calculated by multiplying 60 mL by the kilogram of body weight. In other words, for every 10 pounds of body weight, a dog should consume more than 1 cup of water or 9 ounces. Remember, this is the minimum amount-if your dog drinks more water than the maintenance level, that's okay.

If a dog is panting, it can mean several things. After strenuous physical activity (such as running), the dog will pant to help cool down. Similarly, if the temperature is high, the dog will pant to lower its body temperature. Panting can also be a way for your dog to express feelings of stress or anxiety. If you notice that your dog is panting for a long time without obvious environmental reasons, it may mean that they are in pain and need to be examined by a veterinarian.

When your dog is in warmer regions or warmer seasons, they should naturally drink plenty of water. They should also drink plenty of water after strenuous activities such as walking or playing. If your dog is eating dry kibbles, you should also expect them to drink more water each day.

Some dogs just like to drink water, it is difficult to restrain themselves when drinking water. These dogs tend to drink too quickly, which can cause vomiting-similar to dogs that eat too much and too fast. If this is the case for your dog, it is recommended to limit the amount of water available at one time or use a different type of drinking fountain to prevent them from swallowing water too quickly.

A good way to increase the amount of water your dogs drink is to feed them fresh food that already contains a lot of water. Fruits, vegetables and cooked chicken are important sources of water and can be used as a supplement to healthy food or daily meals. If you are looking for a complete recipe that helps increase your dog’s daily water intake, try Freshpet Vital Fresh Cuts Shredded Chicken or Fresh From the Kitchen Chicken Recipes. They all contain a lot of water, which reduces the need for ways to persuade them to drink more water throughout the day.

If your dog looks like it lives in a water bowl, or feels like you have to fill their bowl with water several times a day, then your dog may be drinking too much water. If this is a new behavior and there is no change in your dog's schedule or lifestyle, then persistent thirst may indicate a medical problem. In this case, it is recommended that you contact your veterinarian for further evaluation.

I noticed that by the end of the day, there is often some food or dirt floating in the water bowl, which does not look appetizing. Knowing this, I recommend replacing the dog's water bowl with fresh water at least once a day. If your dog has a tendency to spill a lot of water or knock over the bowl, you may need to refill the bowl more.

We hope that Dr. Aziza can answer some of your most pressing questions about your dog's water intake. Are there any questions answered? Make an appointment with your veterinarian-they will be happy to discuss how you can help your dog improve his daily water intake.

Freshpet Inc. published this content on October 20, 2021 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by the public at 14:50:04 on October 20, 2021, UTC time, unedited and unaltered.