Dogs usually don’t have a hard time drinking water. They need it and they like drinking fresh water. But, it is possible that your pet refuses to do this due to some health or some other reason. How to trick a dog into drinking water? Well, you will have to use the tips we can share with you right here. There are a lot of these out there but we will present only the ones that are simple and very effective.
Tips To To Trick A Dog Into Drinking Water
Get Him Another Water Bowl
This usually works like magic. A dog will want to try a new bowl hence he will drink from it. Many small dog breeds will need a bowl that is just right. You can try stainless steel models that look nice, special bowls and so much more. How to trick your dog into drinking water? Get him the bowl he will like. You may need a lot of time to find the one you seek.
Use Water Fountain
The water fountain works well in this scenario. It is a clever tip. It is not the most affordable here but it does work well due to just one reason. Dogs like and prefer moving water. They are not fond of still water. You can see this when you are pouring water into the bowl. The pet will drink the water next to the bottle rather than the one in the bowl.
Use Your Hands To Give Him Water
This is an interesting tip and one that is very appealing. You will use your cupped hands to give water to the dog. He trusts you and he will usually drink from you. The method we have here may not always work and will not work if you are a new owner of the dog but you can still try it.
Use Flavorings
This method works and in some cases, it is the most effective one here. You can add lactose-free milk. You can also add bone broth. The idea is to color and to provide flavor to the water. Because dogs love to eat as well, they will want to taste that treat. It is important to find the scent your pet likes and use it. If you find this, your pet will drink all the water he needs.
Wet Food
This will not make your pet drink more water. But he will be better hydrated. Wet food, fruits, and vegetables all contain a lot of moisture and water. When a dog eats these, he will get a higher water intake. Always talk to your vet about changing the diet plan and adding new food. If your pet has some health issues, your vet may help you make the right choice.
Get A Water Bowl That Is Bigger Than The Food Bowl
It is another method that works well and has been helping dog owners for a long period of time. All you must do is to find a bowl for water that is bigger than the bowl for food. Your pet will see this bowl first and he will be curious what is inside, why it is bigger, etc. All you have to do is sit back, relax and watch your pet drinking water.
Why Does My Dog Drink Less Water Now?
There are a few cases when a dog will drink lower amounts of water than every other day. The first one is when the weather is cooler or he doesn’t get a lot of physical activity. There is no need to worry if this is the case with your pet. Once he starts running around and the weather is warmer, he will drink the water he needs. Basically, he can’t use the water he drinks so he drinks less.
When you move or even if you take a dog to holiday, he will refuse to drink water. This happens because the new water will smell differently and has a different taste. The solution here is to bring water from home and if possible his water bowl. If you are moving to a new home, try this but also gradually allow him to drink the local water.
It is possible that a dog refuses to drink water because he is old. He is not physically active as before so he doesn’t need more water. Just look at him and monitor the water intake.
Sadly, there are a lot of health issues that can cause your dog not to drink water. For example, kidney disease, diabetes, and many other diseases will take away appetite and thirst from your pet. He will not eat or drink water. Urinary tract infection can cause the same thing which may sound confusing.
If you suspect that your pet is not feeling well, you need to take him to a vet. He will examine the dog and prescribe the treatment. Even then, you will have to help your pet drink water. Use these tips to achieve the goal.
How Much Water Do Dogs Need Per Day?
This is an extremely important question and the one that will help you understand the issue better. In general, dogs need 1 ounce per 1 pound of weight. In other words, a dog with 8 pounds of weight will need one glass of water per day.
There are some variations. For instance, dogs who are very active need more water. When the exterior temperature is higher dogs will need more water as well. The best thing to do is to allow water to have plenty of drinking water all the time.
The Final Word
How to trick a dog into drinking water? Use these tips and you will do it. First, it is important to understand why your dog refuses water. Secondly, calculate how much water he needs and then try to reach that value. Use all these tips if possible and your pet will stay well-hydrated. Of course, some will work better than others.
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