Dogs need to stay well hydrated, just like humans. Lots of things can influence the amount of water your dog needs to drink each day, including exercise level, age, and even medical conditions. However, sometimes a dog might start drinking more than normal, and it might be hard to know if that indicates a problem. If you’ve noticed behavioral changes in your dog and are wondering, “Why is my dog drinking more water than usual?”, here’s what to consider and some reasons why your dog might be drinking more water than usual:

How Much Water Should a Dog Drink?

There’s no exact set amount of water that a dog should drink because it all depends on factors specific to your dog. However, there are some basic guidelines to follow. A good base guideline to determine your dog’s water needs is about 1 ounce of water for every 1 pound of their body weight. So, if your dog weighs approximately 50 pounds, a good guideline is to ensure at least 50 ounces of water a day.

However, if your dog is really active or you live in a warm climate, they should be drinking more water. Your dog also should be drinking more water during the summer months, especially if they spend a lot of time outside or heavily exercise. This is an important summer safety tip for dogs that all owners should be aware of.

Puppies and dogs that are nursing also may need more water than the general guideline. If your dog normally eats canned dog food or homemade food that has more water in it, they might not need to drink quite as much. Just make sure your dog has easy access to clean and fresh water each day by setting up a water and feeding station for your dog.

How to Determine How Much Your Dog Drinks Daily

If you want to know how much your dog drinks each day, you will need to keep track of how much water is in the bowl and how often you fill the water bowl. You can also be more precise by measuring the amount of water in the bowl in the morning and then measuring how much is left at the end of the evening. You can also purchase a dog bowl that has measurements on the side. However, if your dog tends to push or spill their bowl, you will not have a precise measurement.

If you notice your dog begins to drink a lot more water than normal or is taking more trips out to the bathroom, you should schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. This could be a sign of a urinary tract infection or other underlying health conditions that need to be addressed.

Why Is My Dog Drinking More Water Than Usual?

There are a few different factors that might determine why your dog is drinking more water than usual. Some are environmental factors, while others might be medical reasons. Here are a few reasons why your dog is drinking more water than usual.

1. Environmental and Physiological Factors

Just like humans, the amount of water a dog drinks typically depends on normal physiological or environmental reasons. Factors affecting how much water a dog is drinking can include:

• Activity level
• Warm Weather
• Dry Air
• Diet

Activity Level

If your dog is more active, they will naturally require more water than a dog that is a bit more of a couch potato. If you’re unsure about how much exercise your dog needs, this is one of the questions to ask at your dog’s first vet visit.

Warm Weather

During warmer weather or humid weather, dogs often drink more water because it helps regulate their body temperature. Staying hydrated is important for a dog’s overall health and well-being.

Dry Air

However, dogs also need to stay well hydrated during the winter. Unless you live in an extremely humid climate, winter weather often means the air is drier. If this is the case, dogs can become dehydrated, even if it’s not hot. Making sure your dog has plenty of water year-round, even during the winter, is an important winter safety tip for dogs. Your dog will also need water before and after winter exercise.

Diet

Diet may also determine how much water your dog needs. If your dog eats dry kibble, they should have more water to stay hydrated. If they eat canned or homemade food that has a higher water content, they may not drink quite as much. You can also help your dog stay hydrated with some of the best fruits and veggies for dogs, like watermelon.

2. Age

A dog’s age may also determine how much water they drink. Puppies’ kidneys do not concentrate their urine as well as an older dog’s, meaning they need to go to the bathroom more. Because they go to the bathroom more, they need to drink more water.

Sometimes, elderly dogs may drink more water or less because of cognitive decline. Also, some medical issues, like canine diabetes or kidney disease, might cause an older dog to drink more. If your older dog hasn’t been diagnosed with any of these issues, but is drinking more than normal, give your vet a call to schedule an appointment.

So if you’re wondering, “Why is my dog drinking more water than usual?”, these may be a few of the reasons. Unless your dog’s activity has increased or the weather has gotten drier or warmer, give your vet a call. They’ll be able to give your dog a check-up and look for any underlying issues that may be causing your dog to drink more water than usual.