Providing your puppy with plenty of water is an important part of their care, and will help them stay healthy and happy. But how much water should a puppy drink in 24 hours?
Contents of this article:
- How much water should a puppy drink?
- How do I know if my puppy is drinking enough water?
- Signs that your puppy is dehydrated.
How much water should a puppy drink?
Your puppy will need to drink more frequently than an adult dog, since they are growing and have a higher metabolism and they also lose more water through respiration than adult dogs. Puppies pant and breathe more rapidly than adult dogs which contributes to your puppy needing more water.
A good rule of thumb is 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight, per day. For example, a 3-pound puppy would need 3 ounces of water each day. If you’d rather use the metric system, that’s 85ml of water for a 1.3kg puppy.
If you are potty training your puppy, it is especially important to make sure they are getting enough water. This is because they will be urinating frequently, and you don’t want them to become dehydrated.
Your puppy should have constant access to fresh water so that they can drink whenever they feel the need to. It’s a good idea to put the water bowl in the same place all the time so they know exactly where it is.
We have two dog water bowls in our kitchen, so that each of our dogs doesn’t have to wait for the other to finish before they can get a drink, they can just go to the other bowl.
Some people worry that their puppy will drink too much water and end up making a mess in the house. However, if you are providing your puppy with frequent opportunities to go outside to relieve themselves, and watching them when they are indoors, this shouldn’t be a problem.
If your puppy seems to be drinking significantly more or less than the recommended amount it could be a sign of a health problem and you should take them to the vet to get checked out.
How do I know if my puppy is drinking enough water?
The best way to make sure your puppy is getting enough water is to measure how much water you put in their bowl and then measure how much is left when you refill it. Make sure to thoroughly clean your puppy’s water bowl regularly.
Signs that your puppy is dehydrated.
Another way to tell if your puppy is drinking enough water is by observing their urination. A healthy puppy will have light colored, small, and frequent urinations.
If your puppy’s urine is dark yellow or they are urinating infrequently, this could be a sign of dehydration and you should take them to the vet.
You can also check your puppy’s gums to see if they are hydrated. Gently lift up your puppy’s lip and press on their gums with your finger. The gum tissue should snap back into place quickly.
If the gum tissue takes a few seconds to return to its normal position or if it feels tacky, your puppy may be dehydrated and you should take them to the vet.
Dehydration can be very serious, especially in puppies, so it’s important to make sure they are getting enough water. Dehydrated puppies can go downhill rapidly. If you are ever concerned about your puppy’s hydration levels, or if they are showing any other signs of illness, please take them to the vet.
Puppies need a lot of care and attention, but making sure they get enough water is an important part of keeping them healthy and happy. Just like with people, puppies need to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and function properly.
By providing your puppy with water and taking them out frequently to relieve themselves, you can help ensure they stay healthy and hydrated.
Check out this article on whether puppy pads are a good idea.
