Approved by Dr. Dwight Alleyne, DVM 8 Reasons Your Dog Won’t Drink Water & What To Do
Dogs get up to some weird behavior from time to time...but when they suddenly won't drink water, it can be pretty scary! So here are 8 reasons why & what you can do to get them hydrated again.
As a loving dog parent, we know you’re doing your best to keep your buddy safe and healthy. So when you come home to find your dog won’t drink water…it’s pretty understandable if you’re worried. So in this post, we’re going to cover the main reasons why your dog won’t drink water and what can you do about it. (Plus, how to pick up on the other, easy-to-miss signs your dog might be sick.)
Is water important for your dog?
Dogs, like humans, need to drink water every day. And much like us, they’re at risk from dehydration if they don’t. In fact, dogs are actually at greater risk than humans because they release heat from their bodies much more slowly. Dogs do have some sweat glands in their foot-pads, but not enough to cool their body. As a result, they control their body temperature mostly through panting.
This is why water is so important for dogs and why you should provide your buddy with enough water every day.
How much water does a dog need?
As a general rule, the amount of water a dog needs to drink in a day is equal to 100 ml water for every kg of body weight. However, other factors do play a role in how much water a dog needs in a day. For example, Dr. Jürgen Zentek – head of the Institute for Animal Nutrition at the University of Berlin – found that the amount of water your dog needs to drink depends on factors like:
- Their size
- How active they are
- The overall temperature
- And the type of food you’re giving them
Based on his formulas we created this chart of how much water a dog needs in a day. So you can find out how much water your dog should be drinking on any given day:
8 reasons why your dog won’t drink water
If you’re suddenly finding your dog won’t drink water, here are a couple of reasons why:
- Stress can cause your dog to stop drinking. For example, if you’ve shifted apartments or are taking them out on a road trip. Dogs can tell the difference between unfamiliar and familiar sources of food and water. So if they don’t recognize the smell, they might not drink or eat.
- Environmental factors can also cause your dog to drink less. Like, for example, unclean water, the wrong temperature, or a bowl that’s too high, low, or in a noisy part of your home.
- Growing older can cause your dog to grow less active over time – so they’re less hungry or thirsty overall.
- Certain medications cause your dog to drink less water as a side effect.
- Fear or anxiety can cause your dog to avoid the water bowl. (Like if they’ve experienced being jostled aside by other dogs or someone stepping on their tail or paw.)
- A lack of exercise means your dog just isn’t likely to be as thirsty as usual.
- Some medical conditions can make your dog drink less water, including diabetes, kidney disease, or even dehydration. A dog struggling with nausea or digestive issues may avoid both food and water.
- Pain could make your dog simply want to move less. Older dogs might not drink water due to painful conditions like arthritis, which make it too much of an effort to reach the water bowl.
When to head to the vet
If your dog isn’t drinking water for an extended period, keep an eye out for any other signs of illness. A dog can only go 2-3 days without water before serious health complications arise.2 Drop by your vet’s clinic if you notice your dog:
- Refusing water for more than 24 hours.
- Showing other symptoms of illness, including vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, excessive panting, dry gums, or loss of appetite.
- Showing signs of dehydration, like sunken eyes, dry nose, loss of skin elasticity, or dark, concentrated urine.
Trust your instincts — if something feels off with your dog, it’s better to be cautious and consult a vet.
What to expect at the vet
Your vet will begin by figuring out the underlying cause behind why your dog isn’t drinking water – including if it’s because of dehydration or another health problem. Here’s what you can expect:
- A full physical examination
Including checking for visible signs of dehydration, discomfort, or illness. They might look at your dog’s gums, skin elasticity, and hydration levels. - Questions about your dog’s recent behavior
Be prepared to answer questions about your dog’s water intake, eating habits, activity levels, and any recent changes in behavior or environment. - Diagnostic tests
Depending on your vet’s initial findings, they may recommend tests like:- Bloodwork to check for infections, kidney issues, or other systemic problems.
- Urinalysis to identify signs of dehydration or urinary tract infections.
- Imaging (X-rays or ultrasounds) to rule out blockages or internal issues.
- Treatment
Like, for example, administering fluids, if dehydration is the underlying cause. This could be done through subcutaneous (under the skin) or intravenous (IV) fluid therapy, depending on the severity. - An ongoing treatment plan
Once your vet figures out why your dog isn’t drinking, they’ll recommend a treatment plan. This could involve medications for infections, changes in diet, or pain relief for dental issues.
How to get a dog to drink more water
If your dog won’t drink water like they used to, there’s a few things you can do:
- Change the position of the water bowl. If you have multiple pets at home, it’s a good idea to feed them in separate areas.
- Mix wet dog food with water. Else, you could add some broth to your dog’s water for some extra flavor.
- Carry some bottled water from “home” in case you’re shifting houses or on a road trip. The familiar scent might entice your dog to drink.
- Switch up your water sources, like, for example, letting your dog drink from the water hose instead. Or you could give them an ice cube to gnaw on instead.
- Clean the water bowl and water. Your dog can sniff out “dirty” water or an unclean water bowl, which might make them avoid it.
- Exchange the water bowl. Try to avoid water bowls made out of metal because your dog might get spooked by the noise. Use a glass water bowl if possible.
- Provide more bowls: Offer your dog the possibility to drink out of multiple bowls of water, placed in different areas.
- Contact your vet: If your dog still won’t drink water, or if he/she is suffering from an illness, you should contact a veterinarian as soon as possible. In case of illness, proper hydration is important to the recovery process.
If my dog won’t drink water, can my dog drink milk?
Generally, this isn’t recommended. As they grow older, most dogs lose the enzyme that helps them digest lactose.4 Which means, yes, it’s possible your dog might be lactose intolerant. At the same time, fermented products, like hard cheese, yogurt or buttermilk, contain a smaller amount of lactose. Because of this, they’re less harmful.
Some dogs will tolerate milk better. This category includes mostly livestock guardian dogs, since milk (products) were often the only ones available. In case you do want to feed your dog milk, in addition to water (not as a substitute), make sure to choose a lactose-free milk.
Where an Activity Tracker can come in handy
As a general rule, dogs should never go more than a day without water. If they do, the first signs might be sneakier than you expect – like a drop in their daily activity. It’s why vets even recommend keeping track of your dog’s everyday exercise to catch on to a health issue before it worsens.1
💡Which is why dog parents around the world – just like you – are investing in Activity Trackers for dogs – to take a more active role in their buddies’ health and wellbeing.
With its built-in motion detector, your Tractive device picks up on your dog’s movements throughout the day. Logging them in as “active minutes.”
Now if you notice a drop in your dog’s active minutes, you can take action early – and get them over to the vet for a checkup. Keeping them healthy and happy in the long run…and potentially saving their life, while at it.
Want more ideas on how to make a dog drink water? Check out the video below:
And if you’ve liked this post, share it with a friend or a loved one – and let’s help build a safer, kinder world for our furry friends together.
Your furry friend’s health and wellbeing means as much as to us as it does to you. So we’ve made it a priority to only share medically-relevant content on our blog.
This post was checked, double-checked, and medically verified by Georgia-based vet, Dr. Dwight Alleyne.
Originally from Long Island, New York, Dr. Alleyne began his career at a no-kill animal shelter before becoming a licensed veterinary technician. He graduated from Cornell University Veterinary College in 2006 and completed an internship at Purdue University.
Now practicing in Georgia, Dr. Alleyne specializes in soft tissue surgery and ultrasounds. He also writes pet health articles on his website, “The Animal Doctor Blog” (www.anmldrblog.com).
