How Long Can My Dog Go Without Water? Answers + Tips
If you are going out with your dog often, you might be thinking how long your dog can go without water. Let’s find out all the necessary facts about dogs’ tolerance for the dehydration with some tips to keep your dog hydrated when you go out with him.
Dogs have been humans’ best friends for a long period, and the relations between humans and dogs are inseparable. Today dogs are the most popular pets of humans, and they have become closer as a family member.
Therefore, dog owners have huge concerns regarding the well-being of their dogs. When you are away from home or go on a journey with your dog, you should be aware of the conditions of your dog.
Water is an important necessity not only for humans but also for dogs. You should make sure that your dog is hydrated well and be aware of how long a dog can go without water.
So, how long can a dog go without water? Dogs with good health can normally survive without water for 2-3 days. However, it is good to not leave your dog for more than 6-10 hours without water since it can affect them adversely. When it comes to puppies, they cannot stay without water like adult dogs since they are in the first periods of feeding on breast milk. Therefore, your puppy may need water at least once per hour in the transition of breast milk to food.
By reading this article, you may get an idea about the period that your dog can go without water, as well as how long a puppy can go without water. Then let’s identify how much water you should provide to your dog to keep it hydrated.
After that, symptoms of dehydration will be focused on. And I’ll provide you with some tips to keep your dog hydrated or stimulate it to drink water.
So, if you are a pet owner, this article will support you in taking care of your dog. Let’s dive in.
How long can dogs go without water?
Since dogs are the closest friends of people, they have adapted to the characteristics of people as a result of the long friendship and companionship of each other. Dogs are the most popular domestic pets, and they love their owners, and people also love their dogs so much.
Therefore, people have a strong concern about their dogs’ health, well-being, and happiness. So, when you are keeping your dog home alone or taking it somewhere, you should consider how long a dog can go without water.
Even though we love our dogs so much, we miss some tiny facts regarding our beloved four-legged furry friend. Due to our busy schedules and workload, we are in a hurry in our daily activities.
Due to that, you’ll miss filling the water bowl of your dog when you are out from home. Even when you go for a picnic carrying your dog with you, you may miss providing enough water to your dog.
They need plenty of water for their survival, and they can’t tell that to you directly. Therefore, separately concern how long a puppy can go without water as well as an adult dog.
It is said that a dog can survive without water for nearly 2-3 days, and it won’t affect them seriously. However, it does not mean that it is good for them to live without water like that.
Normally, a dog can go without water for 6-10 hours, and they won’t face any issues during that time. Therefore, you need to keep the dog hydrated for at least 6-10 hours. However, it differs with puppies since they are not well grown yet.
With the transitions of breast milk to the food, they may need the water more, and you may need to provide them water at least per hour. But when they grow up and become adult dogs, then their endurance is enhanced, and they may be able to stay days without water.
How much water should you provide to your dog?
In consideration of how long a puppy can go without water as well as a dog, you should be aware of the quantity of water that you should provide to your dog.
If you don’t provide your dog with enough water, then it may face dehydration, and it will cause illnesses and health issues for your dog. So, let’s identify how much water a dog needs per day.
If you are a dog owner, you should consider your dog’s weight and provide the necessary amount of water they need daily.
Normally, an adult dog needs an ounce of water proportionate to the weight of each pound. For example, if your dog weighs 65 pounds, the average water amount you need to provide them is 65 ounces. It can approximately say as 2 liters per day.
When it comes to puppies, you may need to provide them a half a cup of water every hour during their little ages.
However, these amounts are only rough values, and your dog may need more water than these amounts depending on their age, energy level, goods, activities they engage in, weather, and health conditions.
Symptoms of dogs’ Dehydration
Dehydration is the reduction of the water level of your body. Dehydration happens when you burn more fluid than you earn and your body lacks enough water to maintain its functions.
Considering how long a dog can go without water, it is good to identify the symptoms of dehydration of your dog when there is a lack of water in its body.
- Dry mouth
Dog’s mouth is normally wet and moisturized. When they are dehydrated and need water, their mouths get dry with no moisture. Their gums will be tacky and dry in these conditions. In such a situation, you need to identify their water needs and provide them.
- Appetite loss
When dogs are suffering from a lack of water level, they’ll lose their appetite and show less interest in foods. It is a symptom of dehydration. When they are dehydrated, their body functions may miss work, and digestion matters arise.
- Yellow and little pee
The color and the amount of your dog’s urine too can be an indicator of its dehydration. If your dog is going through dehydration, his urine will be dark yellow and very little. They should be pale or light yellow if your dog has good hydration.
- Sunken eyes
Dogs’ eyes are normally wet since they are primarily made out of water. If the dog is dehydrated, its eyes and muscles behind them are dry and difficult to rotate properly. Then they may look sunken and irritated.
- Lethargy
Lethargy is a sign of dehydration of your dog. He may feel tired, lazy, bored, and weak when he is dehydrated. Its normal playfulness will not be there anymore and act with no energy. It will be inactive and always sleep without an eagerness to do anything.
Tips to keep your dog hydrated
When considering how long can a dog go without water, we can observe that sometimes dogs do not drink water and ignore them. There may be some illnesses or health conditions for dogs to reject water.
There can be injuries in his mouth, urinary blockages, or issues in the tummy. However, suppose your dog is not drinking water.
In that case, there is the threat of dehydration, and it is better to pay attention to keeping your dog hydrated. Here are some tips you can follow to keep your dog hydrated.
- Leave the water bowl filled
When you are going away by leaving your dog home alone, remember to leave your dog’s water bowl filled with enough water.
If not, your dog may stay dehydrated until you return, and it may cause difficulties for them even though dogs can survive days without water.
- Change the water bowl
When your dog’s water bowl does not fit them, and then they refuse to drink water. Sometimes the bowl can be too deep that the dog cannot drink water from it, or it can be flatter that makes it irritating to drink water.
Therefore, find an appropriate water bowl for your dog and observe whether they are drinking enough water after changing the water bowl.
- Keep a doggy water bottle
When you are going for walks with your dog, remember to bring a doggy water bottle with your pet. Dogs may drink water during their walks due to the release of energy and tiring.
You can provide them with enough water on such occasions.
- Dog water fountain
A dog water fountain is another good investment that you can make for your dog. If your dog continuously refuses water, you can try this water fountain to get away from dehydration.
It has moving water, and it will be interesting for your dog, and it may prefer to drink water then.
- Water alternatives
If your dog continuously refuses to drink water, try out some water alternatives such as milk, juice, or other fluids.
They won’t replace the water necessity completely. But it is good to have them than to have nothing.
- Foods with moisture
You can try moisture-rich foods when your dog refuses to drink water, and it is difficult to achieve its daily need for water amount.
You can prevent dehydration by giving it canned-juicy dog foods, fruits, and vegetables. They are good moisture-rich foods to keep your dog hydrated. They are rich in not only moisture but also nutrients as well.
- Instructions from the vet
Suppose your dog still refuses to continuously drink water. In that case, there can be some severe health conditions or difficulties in its body.
Therefore, it is good to take your dog to the veterinarian and get instructions regarding dehydration. Then your vet may support you to keep your furry friend hydrated.
Conclusion
At the end of the article, now you are well aware of the matter, how long can a dog go without water and the period that a puppy needs water. Then you have identified the average amount of water that you should provide to your dog.
When your dog does not drink water, it may face dehydration, and we have discussed the symptoms of dehydration. Finally, we have understood how to keep your dog hydrated and stimulate it to drink water.
So, as dog owners, you may be much aware of your dog’s health conditions, and you have to provide enough water for them to keep them safe.
Thank you for reading this post. I hope it answered your burning questions about your dog. Stay tuned with Jack Russell Owner for more interesting posts.
