Your dog isn’t drinking enough: Possible causes & 7 tips that really help

Sometimes, a physical change is the reason behind reduced water intake. Pain or discomfort can cause your dog to drink less or visit their water bowl less often.

The digestive system can also influence how much a dog likes to drink. In the event of discomfort, nausea or changes in the gastrointestinal tract, a dog’s general behaviour may change.

A balanced digestive system is important for your dog’s wellbeing. BIOGENA PETS Belly Drops support normal digestion and can help maintain the natural balance in the digestive system.

The reason for your dog not drinking enough isn’t always down to something physically wrong with him. Changes in his environment or his daily routine can also play a part.

Dogs are creatures of habit and react to new situations with varying degrees of sensitivity. Some changes go largely unnoticed by us humans, but can be quite a big adjustment for a dog.

Stress in dogs can manifest itself in various ways. Some dogs become more restless, whilst others withdraw or change their usual behaviour – which may also include their water intake.

Triggers can include, for example, changes to their daily routine, a move, a journey, new situations or changes to their social environment. During stressful periods, your dog may pay less attention to their basic needs.

A calm environment, consistent routines and plenty of places to retreat to can help your dog regain a sense of security in their daily life.

As a complementary measure, BIOGENA PETS Relax Drops can help calm your dog when they’re stressed and support them in challenging situations.

Some dogs are sensitive to changes involving their water bowl. A new bowl may only look different to us – but for your dog, the smell, sound or feel of it may be unfamiliar.

Dogs perceive their surroundings primarily through their sense of smell. That is why the quality and freshness of the water can also affect whether your dog enjoys drinking from it. Stagnant water can develop different odours or become contaminated over time.

Diet has a significant impact on fluid intake. Wet food already contains a high water content, whereas dogs on dry food are more reliant on drinking additional fluid from their water bowl. If you change your dog’s diet, their drinking habits may therefore also change.

A dog’s water requirements vary from dog to dog and depend on a number of factors. These include body weight, activity level, diet, age and the outside temperature.

As a rough guide: about 50 ml of water per kilogram of body weight per day.

So a dog weighing 20 kg needs approximately 1 to 2 litres of fluid a day. If your dog is fed wet food, part of this amount is already covered by their diet – you should bear this in mind when estimating their needs.

The actual requirement can also vary. An active dog after a long walk or a dog on a warm day may need more fluid.

A low intake of water on its own does not automatically mean that your dog is not drinking enough. The key factor is comparing this to their usual behaviour.

A dog that has always drunk very little from its bowl but gets enough fluid from its food may behave differently to a dog whose water intake suddenly drops significantly. You should keep a close eye out for any changes over several days or any other unusual symptoms.

On hot days, the need for fluids increases. Unlike humans, dogs cannot sweat through their skin; instead, they regulate their body temperature mainly by panting. In the process, their bodies lose fluid, which must then be replenished.

Particularly on hot days, factors such as longer walks, active exercise, high outdoor temperatures or direct sunlight can affect their fluid requirements.

Adequate water intake is therefore an important part of looking after your dog in summer temperatures.

If your dog isn’t drinking much, even small changes to their daily routine can help make drinking water more appealing. It’s not about forcing your dog to drink, but about offering them options that are as straightforward and pleasant as possible.

First, observe your dog’s drinking habits: does he prefer to drink in the morning or in the evening? Does he favour certain places? Or has his behaviour only recently changed? These observations will help you find the right support for your four-legged friend.

Dogs often drink whilst going about their business – especially when water is easily accessible. Having just one bowl in a fixed spot may mean your dog passes it less often or doesn’t use it in certain situations.

Having several drinking spots around the home can therefore be helpful. Particularly in larger flats or houses, those with several floors, or if your dog spends a lot of time in different areas, an extra water bowl can make access easier. An easily accessible drinking spot can also be useful for older dogs, when walking long distances or getting up frequently becomes increasingly difficult.

Feeding can play an important role in your dog’s daily fluid intake. wet food already contains water and can therefore meet part of their fluid requirements. If, on the other hand, your dog is mainly fed dry food, they will consume less fluid through their food and will be more reliant on drinking extra water.

Adding a little water to their food can also be a way of incorporating more fluid into their daily routine.

A small amount of suitable stock can also be a way of making water more appealing to the palate. Make sure you only use varieties suitable for dogs, without unsuitable additives such as onions or garlic.

Some dogs are more likely to drink water if it has a familiar taste. One option is to occasionally make the water a little more appealing by adding suitable ingredients. However, you should ensure that you only use additives that are safe for dogs.

For example, strongly spiced foods or ingredients that may be harmful to dogs are not suitable.

If your dog consistently drinks very little, you should continue to monitor the cause. Flavouring the water can be a helpful everyday measure, but it is no substitute for seeking a veterinary assessment if there are noticeable changes.

Some dogs are particularly interested in moving water. A drinking fountain can be a way of making drinking more interesting. The flowing water may be more appealing to some dogs, as it differs from stagnant water in a bowl. Furthermore, many dogs have a keen sense of smell and are very attuned to changes in their surroundings.

However, a drinking fountain isn’t necessary for every dog. Some dogs still prefer a traditional water bowl. The key is to find out which option your dog prefers. Make sure you clean drinking fountains regularly too, so that the water stays fresh.

If your dog happens to be drinking less than usual, this doesn’t necessarily mean there’s cause for concern.

What matters most is how things develop over a longer period of time: If your dog consistently drinks less than usual or if other changes occur, you should take a closer look.

Your dog cannot tell you directly what’s wrong. That’s why it helps to be mindful of changes in behaviour, feeding habits and water intake.