How To Trick Your Dog Into Drinking Water? 8 Easy Hacks
Dogs need water as much as we do. Without proper hydration, your dog will experience dehydration, which can become deadly in a matter of hours. This is why you should provide the pooch with a constant supply of drinking water. But what if your dog isn’t a big fan of drinking? In this post, I will share some tips on how to trick your dog into drinking water. It just takes a little creativity and some household items to increase your pooch’s hydration.
Tricks to get your dog to drink more water
Are you struggling to get your dog to drink more water? If so, the following tips will surely do wonders for your pet.
1. Give some low-sodium broth
If plain water doesn’t interest your doggo, adding some flavor to it might do the trick. The low-sodium broth is an excellent option because it’s very tasty that almost all dogs love it. Also, broth has lots of vitamins and minerals that will make your dog healthier. please read here benefits of giving a dog vitamins
Aside from low-sodium broth, you can also boil some animal organs in water and serve it to your dog. As your pooch eats the meat, it will also consume the soup. This is a very effective way to increase your dog’s water intake.
2. Give hydrating treats
Another trick you can use is hydrating treats. You can freeze some of the broth into cubes. You can toss some to your dog’s water bowl to encourage it to drink more.
Aside from that, you can also freeze watermelon and melon slices. These are very juicy fruits that will give your dog more hydration. However, you should give it in moderation as fruits have fructose, which is converted into glucose (blood sugar).
3. Drop the treats on the water
If you don’t have the time to prepare flavored treats or drinks, you can simply dunk your dog’s treats into its water bowl. As the pooch chases and slobbers for the treat, it will consume water. This is a very effective trick that I always use with my dog, Sherlock.
I will first refill the water bowl to the brim so my dog will consume a lot of water. Sometimes, the treat will crumble to pieces, which will make Sherlock drink more as he chases each bit. please read here why does my dog hack after drinking water
4. Prepare a fruit slush
If you want to make hydration a fun experience, you can prepare a fruit slush for your dog. Take note that you should not add anything to it except for the fruits. Your dog doesn’t need the extra sugar or whatever flavoring you have in mind.
Some of the best ingredients for fruit slush are watermelon, blueberries, bananas, apples, and cantaloupe. Make sure that you add some water to make it runny and juicy.
5. Consider using a water fountain
A water fountain will help entice your dog to drink more. The sound and movement of the water are enough to intrigue the doggo. And as we know, dogs are curious so they will surely take a sip to know what it is.
Aside from that, water fountains keep water fresh and cool. The movement of the water helps lock in more oxygen into the water, making it fresher and more inviting to drink.
6. Reward your dog for drinking
Positive reinforcement is a universal tool if you want your dog to do something. Try coaxing your dog to the water bowl with a treat. Drop the treat on the water and let the dog eat it. Next, pretend that you placed a treat on the water. If the dog drinks, give it the treat right away. Repeat this until your dog drinks automatically to receive a reward.
7. Provide multiple water bowls
Another thing you can do to increase your dog’s water intake is by providing multiple water bowls all over the house. This way, your dog won’t have to walk long distances just to reach the water bowl. Take note that this is very helpful for senior dogs and those with mobility problems.
By having multiple water bowls, your dog will be reminded to drink more. The accessibility of potable water makes it easier for your dog to get the hydration it needs. Take note that you should also place water bowls outdoors so your doggo can drink while it plays in the yard.
8. Consider a wet diet
If your pooch isn’t drinking a lot from the previous methods, your best bet for added hydration is a wet food diet. Wet food for dogs often have lots of moisture, which tricks the canine to drink even as it eats. Your dog should still drink fresh water from the bowl to wash the food bits on its mouth.
The only downside to wet food is that it doesn’t help reduce the formation of plaque as dry food does. Nevertheless, regular brushing would help maintain your dog’s dental health regardless of the food it’s eating.
What can I give my dog to drink other than water?
If your dog seems to be tired of water, you can give it some brewed tea without any sugar. There are also so-called ‘dog beer’, which is a non-alcoholic but flavored drink that will help hydrate your dog. However, these processed drinks shouldn’t become a big part of your dog’s diet. Clean water is still the best option for hydration.
How much water should a dog drink in 24 hours?
Dogs need to drink around 1 to 2 ml of water for every kilogram of their body weight per hour. This is the rule of thumb, but your dog may need more depending on its activity level and overall health condition. With this formula, a 10-kilogram dog needs to drink around 480 ml of water in a day.
It’s best to keep clean water accessible for your dog so it can drink anytime it wants. You can also use the tips I discussed above to encourage your pooch to drink more.
How do you know if your dog needs water?
Your dog needs water all the time so there’s no specific schedule as to when it should drink. This is why you should provide a water bowl all the time.
However, you should also watch out for signs of dehydration. This is when your dog needs water the most and immediately.
Loss of skin elasticity, lethargy, panting, dry nose, and vomiting are just some tell-tale signs of dehydration. You should give the dog clean water right away if you notice this. However, don’t force the dog to drink too much. Let it sip on its own volition until it becomes dehydrated. If a dehydrated dog is refusing to drink, you should take it to the vet immediately.
Can you give a dog Gatorade for hydration?
No, Gatorade isn’t made for dogs and shouldn’t be given to dogs. While Gatorade helps in hydration for humans, it contains lots of sugars, salts, colors, and artificial flavors. All of these would wreak havoc in your dog’s tummy.
If you want your dog to have a sweet drink, you can opt for fresh coconut water. In the end, clean water is still the best option.
Can dehydration kill a dog?
Yes, dehydration is very lethal and can kill a dog within hours. Each dog has varying thresholds as to how long they can survive without water. Most canines can endure for up to three days without water. By that time, the dog’s kidney is failing and death is imminent. Immediate veterinary care is needed to save the dog’s life.
Conclusion
Knowing how to trick your dog into drinking water can be a lifesaver. It ensures that dehydration is at bay. Most of all, it will keep your dog in good shape. You just have to be creative and patient to find out which method works for your dog best. Feel free to consult with the vet if your efforts are not working.
