Information on water intake in dogs
Average water intake
A healthy adult dog tends to drink somewhere between 40-60ml per kg of weight per day, or a little less than 1oz per pound.
For my labels, I calculated based on 50ml/kg per day.
Some dogs will drink more than that, some less. That's why it's an average.
The information above was
What is MOST important is monitoring for changes in drinking habits!
Excessive water intake
Called polydipsia. The medically agreed-upon amount of water that considered excessive is: 100ml(weight in kg) per day
Below Average water intake
The average is just that, an average. This means that some dog's normal intake will just be lower than that number, and some dogs will be higher. Both can be perfectly healthy for your pet.
If you want to try to get your dog to drink a little bit more, always ensure the bowl is clean and you're giving fresh water daily. Some dogs prefer water with ice. Some dogs may drink more with flavor (tuna juice, no garlic/onion low sodium chicken broth) but check with your vet first to see if that would work for your pet.
Possible causes of an increase in drinking
Below are some articles that explain more:
https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&catId=102899&id=11111095
https://riney.vet.cornell.edu/member-benefits-health-tips/polyuria-polydipsia-april-2024
We are not associated with the websites above which are available to the public. They are meant as a further educational tool.