Today, let’s talk about your dog’s daily water consumption Do you know how much water your dog needs daily?
According to pets.webmd.com, dogs on average require around 30ml of fluid per 450gm of body weight. Similar to humans, the amount of fluids required will differ due to age, lifestyle, diet, weather etc. Take for example, if your dog the day had been unusually warm and your dog had been running around, then instinctively it would be reason that he would require more water.
However, it is important to note that the volume of water consumed daily can cut both ways. Too much, or too little, can both signify underlying health issues (e.g. liver and / or kidney illness, dehydration, urinary tract infection) which is why as a concerned dog owner, you will need to monitor your dog’s drinking habits. This can be easily achieved by using a drinking bowl with markers to track your dog’s daily water intake. Ensure the bowl is refilled to the same level daily to facilitate the tracking.
What happens if your dog just isn’t a big fan of drinking? In such cases, there are several options that can be considered:
Adding water to his favourite treats or meals (this works very well if your dog is highly food motivated)
Using water alternatives such as milk, yoghurt or broth, keeping in mind your dog’s health condition. As dogs could be lactose intolerant, milk or yoghurt should therefore be diluted with water prior to feeding. Additionally, broth used should be clear and relatively low in oil, and bone broth is not suitable for dogs with existing kidney issues due to the higher level of protein content.
Feeding fruits with high water content. The drawback of this is that fruits tend to have high sugar content as well, so you would need to strike a balance.
Aside from the above, it is also good to send your dog to the vet for regular health checks (i.e. full blood tests, ultrasounds) to detect any possible illnesses. This will become more crucial as your dog ages as arresting the medical condition earlier can really make a difference to the quality and length of life they lead.
Written by : Syn Hwei
