Many dog owners leave water out for their dogs all the time with the thought that their dogs will drink as much, or as little, as they need. But how much water should a dog drink? Monitoring your dog’s water intake can improve his health, prevent illness and more. While some dogs naturally do this on their own, some either under-drink or over-drink. Too little water can lead to dehydration in dogs, kidney stones, organ failure and even death. Drinking too much water can lead to stomach bloat, electrolyte imbalances, and Hyponatremia (water toxicity).

Also, keep in mind that if your dog is under-drinking or over-drinking, it could be a sign of an underlying illness. Under-drinking can indicate parvo, leptospirosis or pancreatitis. Over-drinking can signify a bladder infection, another type of infection or diabetes. Have your vet check your dog if he’s doing either.

How much water should a dog drink daily? How much and how carefully you have to monitor him depends on several factors:

When answering the question, “how much water should a dog drink,” we must also discuss dehydration and over-hydration. To look for dehydration in dogs, grab a piece of skin at the back of your dog’s neck. Stretch it out, then let it go. A properly hydrated dog’s skin will snap quickly back into place, while the skin of a dehydrated dog will return slowly and form a “tent” in the process. You can also check your dog’s gums for dehydration — wet, slippery gums are healthy. Dull, sticky gums suggest dehydration.

Dogs who over-hydrate will often vomit, act confused or become lethargic.

Now that we’ve answered the question, “how much water should a dog drink,” let’s talk about how to manage under-drinkers and over-drinkers. There are a few ways to manage these pooches:

To help insure that the water supply for both humans and canines is protected, you can do one simple action — clean up after your dog. And by providing a healthy diet and the right amount of clean water to your pooch, you can prevent illness and promote health. For as Mark Twain says, “Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody.”

Worried that you’re not getting enough water? Don’t know why drinking water is important? Check out 6 reasons to stay hydrated >>

Top Photography ©K_Thalhofer | Thinkstock.

This piece was originally published in 2017. 

24 thoughts on “How Much Water Should a Dog Drink a Day?” wick June 3, 2021 at 8:13 am this is very helpful information for my dog ,thankyou so much dear Reply Bhuboy November 22, 2020 at 2:15 am This is great information, I did not know that they can overdrink too. I only watch out for under drinking. Thanks for this Reply Pets Health November 12, 2020 at 5:52 am My dog drinks as much water as he wants. I don’t watch it. Reply Shae September 5, 2020 at 9:53 am I live in AZ where temps will be over 100 for several weeks. Should dogs be drinking cold water? I’ve heard mixed reactions on giving dogs cold or ice water. Reply sv388 August 3, 2020 at 10:22 pm oh wow!!!!!! Reply thiết bị vệ sinh July 13, 2020 at 10:41 pm oh wow!!!!!! Reply bồn tắm chính hãng July 13, 2020 at 10:41 pm omg! Reply bồn cầu vệ sinh July 13, 2020 at 10:39 pm OMG!!!! Reply sv388 July 13, 2020 at 10:06 pm omg!!! contact us!!! Reply NormanWilkes July 13, 2020 at 9:52 am It’s good to know this information. I normally don’t measure how much should my dog drink. Thanks! Reply Pingback: How Can Jogging with Your Dog Help You Combat Anxiety? | FitBark Gerry Rigley July 10, 2020 at 2:28 pm I have six dogs all ex-strays, the two big ones, a Rottie and a huge mixed variety, will both drink until the water bowl is empty and then a few minutes later will regurgitate a huge puddle on the floor, then start all over again, there is always water available because of having so many dogs as well as two cats and with daily temps of 40+ here in southern Italy, water needs to be available at all times, any suggestions gratefully accepted. Reply CHRISTIE. WAGNER-STARLEY July 10, 2020 at 12:01 pm Excellent article BUT lacking are both descriptions and illustrations of the water dispensers for the horse and rabbit as well as the compartmentalized water dispenser for the dog. Reply Pingback: 4 Ways To Make Sure Your Pup Stays Hydrated All Summer Long – Dog's notes Pingback: 7 Best Automatic Dog Waterer 2019 – Which One to Buy? Bhuboy August 24, 2019 at 3:02 am This is great information, I always thought of leaving a water bowl is a good idea, to have water anytime my dog need. Did not know that they can also be over hydrated. Thanks for this Reply Pingback: How to Get Your Dog to Drink (more ..) Water | Daily Dog Stuff RottieMom January 10, 2019 at 7:27 pm My dog drank a lot. over a gallon a day. Turns out she had Cushing’s disease. When she was hospitalized and they had her on IV her sodium levels increased to dangerous levels. I kick myself because if her pneumonia was caught earlier and she could have remained at home with free access to water if she would have survived. I’ll never know. Reply Trish November 18, 2018 at 3:39 am My male German Shepherd drinks about 3 gallons of water a day. He will drink until his bowl is empty and when I refill he he repeats the same behavior. I’ve noticed he has constant head shaking and figured it was probably ear mites. We have tried many different medicines but its still there now he has also started losing fur all over his body. We have purchased special shampoos and creams and nothing helps. Could this be a sign of diabetes ? We lost our only income about 2 months ago and don’t have the money for all the tests at the vet. My husband’s last job closed up and didn’t pay any of its employees so we’re struggling. Any suggestions would be appreciated Reply Michaela Conlon November 19, 2018 at 10:30 am Hi there Trish, Thanks for reaching out! Here is an article for more information on canine diabetes: Can Dogs Get Diabetes? Let’s Discuss Canine Diabetes Here is an article for more information about dogs and water: How Dogs Drink Water Is Anything But Normal For the future, here are some articles to help you find affordable vet care for your dog: Affordable Pet Care: Where & How to Find Financial Assistance For Your Dog 8 Ways to Find Affordable Vet Care for Your Dog Reply Susan Grant April 25, 2019 at 8:16 am Sorry to hear of your troubles. Our Beagle has been drinking and urinating a lot so I did research about diabetes. There are two types, glucose diabetes and “water” diabetes, which has to do with hormones that control the body’s retention of water. I thought of this when you mentioned that your dog is losing his fur. This is one of the symptoms. So try doing research under WATER DIABETES. Reply Pingback: 7 Ways To Make Your Yard Dog-Friendly | Neighborfully.com Vanessa Murray July 10, 2018 at 2:34 pm I had a golden that was always “a little dehydrated”. He loved water but did drink much, so I bought a fountain. The running water was the ticket. He happily drank from the running water while the other dogs would drink from the reservoir. Problem easily solved. Reply alexis October 18, 2018 at 10:45 am wow can you answer this question which tempature of water does a dog prefer? Reply Leave a Comment Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Type here..Name* Email* Website Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ

this is very helpful information for my dog ,thankyou so much dear

This is great information, I did not know that they can overdrink too. I only watch out for under drinking. Thanks for this

My dog drinks as much water as he wants. I don’t watch it.

I live in AZ where temps will be over 100 for several weeks. Should dogs be drinking cold water? I’ve heard mixed reactions on giving dogs cold or ice water.

It’s good to know this information. I normally don’t measure how much should my dog drink. Thanks!

Pingback: How Can Jogging with Your Dog Help You Combat Anxiety? | FitBark

I have six dogs all ex-strays, the two big ones, a Rottie and a huge mixed variety, will both drink until the water bowl is empty and then a few minutes later will regurgitate a huge puddle on the floor, then start all over again, there is always water available because of having so many dogs as well as two cats and with daily temps of 40+ here in southern Italy, water needs to be available at all times, any suggestions gratefully accepted.

Excellent article BUT lacking are both descriptions and illustrations of the water dispensers for the horse and rabbit as well as the compartmentalized water dispenser for the dog.

Pingback: 4 Ways To Make Sure Your Pup Stays Hydrated All Summer Long – Dog's notes

Pingback: 7 Best Automatic Dog Waterer 2019 – Which One to Buy?

This is great information, I always thought of leaving a water bowl is a good idea, to have water anytime my dog need. Did not know that they can also be over hydrated. Thanks for this

Pingback: How to Get Your Dog to Drink (more ..) Water | Daily Dog Stuff

My dog drank a lot. over a gallon a day. Turns out she had Cushing’s disease. When she was hospitalized and they had her on IV her sodium levels increased to dangerous levels. I kick myself because if her pneumonia was caught earlier and she could have remained at home with free access to water if she would have survived. I’ll never know.

My male German Shepherd drinks about 3 gallons of water a day. He will drink until his bowl is empty and when I refill he he repeats the same behavior. I’ve noticed he has constant head shaking and figured it was probably ear mites. We have tried many different medicines but its still there now he has also started losing fur all over his body. We have purchased special shampoos and creams and nothing helps. Could this be a sign of diabetes ? We lost our only income about 2 months ago and don’t have the money for all the tests at the vet. My husband’s last job closed up and didn’t pay any of its employees so we’re struggling. Any suggestions would be appreciated

Thanks for reaching out! Here is an article for more information on canine diabetes:

Can Dogs Get Diabetes? Let’s Discuss Canine Diabetes

Here is an article for more information about dogs and water:

How Dogs Drink Water Is Anything But Normal

For the future, here are some articles to help you find affordable vet care for your dog:

Affordable Pet Care: Where & How to Find Financial Assistance For Your Dog

8 Ways to Find Affordable Vet Care for Your Dog

Sorry to hear of your troubles. Our Beagle has been drinking and urinating a lot so I did research about diabetes. There are two types, glucose diabetes and “water” diabetes, which has to do with hormones that control the body’s retention of water. I thought of this when you mentioned that your dog is losing his fur. This is one of the symptoms. So try doing research under WATER DIABETES.

Pingback: 7 Ways To Make Your Yard Dog-Friendly | Neighborfully.com

I had a golden that was always “a little dehydrated”. He loved water but did drink much, so I bought a fountain. The running water was the ticket. He happily drank from the running water while the other dogs would drink from the reservoir. Problem easily solved.

wow can you answer this question which tempature of water does a dog prefer?

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

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