How long can a dog go without water?
Water is essential to a dog’s well-being, which means that you, as a dog owner, are responsible for always keeping your pet hydrated. So, if you’re planning to leave it for an extended period, it’s essential to know the facts and organize its feeding and water-changing with a petsitter properly.
How Long Can A Puppy Go Without Water
Although a pup can survive two or three days of dehydration, it’s still important to avoid puppy suffering like that ever.
So, how long can a dog live without water? Your pet will not be in danger if you forget to give it water for a day, but it should not happen repeatedly. The most it can survive without water is two or three days, and this type of dehydration can be fatal for your dog.
Fresh, clean water is crucial for your pup’s vital organs to function properly.
If your pet does end up not drinking any liquids in three days, he should be immediately hospitalized to avoid any damage.
Why Is Water Important for Dogs
When you think of nutrients, you probably think of food. However, people often overlook water as a critical part of necessary nutrition.
Water is vital because it moves all the other important substances throughout the body. And it also plays a considerable part in digestion, detox, and temperature.
- Digestion—A dog’s body can’t break down food into nutrients without water. This liquid creates saliva, stomach acids, and bile, which are essential to the whole digestion process.
- Cell cycle—Water is crucial for cell growth and division; if there’s a lack of it in a pup’s system, skin and coat quality will be seriously affected.
- Detox—Toxins must be removed from the body regularly, and dehydration will likely disturb that process. The build-up of harmful toxins and excess water-soluble nutrients can cause kidney and urinary tract issues.
- Temperature—Dogs need extra hydration during the summer days. To cool off, they sweat through their paws, which means they need appropriate water levels in their organism.
Pups should drink even more water than they regularly do when facing troubles like diarrhea. A loose stool will cause dehydration to worsen, so fresh water should always be available to your pet.
How Much Water Should Dogs Drink
Now that you know how long dogs can live without water, it’s time to understand how much water dogs should consume daily.
The American Kennel Club states that an average adult dog should drink no less than an ounce of water for every pound they weigh. For example, if a dog has a body weight of 25 lbs, it will need to consume 25 oz throughout the day.
It’s important to note that puppies need different amounts of water to function than already grown dogs. When transitioning from milk to solid food, they need about half a cup of water every other hour.
Although these guidelines are good to follow, your pup’s water needs may vary depending on factors like weather, health, and activity levels. Changes might not be a big deal, but you should still check for signs of dehydration.
How to Check If Your Dog Is Dehydrated
Dehydration is a serious issue for dogs and can easily become life-threatening if not treated. But how do you know if your dog is dehydrated? If your dog has these symptoms, it’s most probably in need of water:
- Loss of appetite,
- Fatigue and low energy,
- Excessive panting,
- Dry mouth and gums,
- Dry nose,
- Dark yellow urine,
- Sunken eyes,
- Decrease in skin elasticity.
Besides checking if their nose is dry, the easiest way to determine if your pet is dehydrated is by putting your thumb on their back or head. If the skin doesn’t spring back once you release your finger, you should fill that water bowl up.
Why Won’t My Dog Drink Water
If a dog refuses to drink water, there’s an underlying issue. For one, it may be that your dog has had some kind of a mouth injury. Whether it’s the tongue, teeth, or gums, it won’t be that enthusiastic about drinking liquids.
An upset stomach can also be at fault for this issue. Dogs are curious beings and may frequently eat something they shouldn’t—chips being one example. This salty snack can cause severe dehydration and stomach problems, preventing your pet from drinking water.
It may sound weird, but the shape, size, or material of the water bowl you’re using may cause them to dislike drinking liquids. It could be that the bowl is too deep or too flat and wide, so their ears get wet whenever they try to drink water.
If nothing helps, you can try to give your pup moisture-rich foods, such as ZiwiPeak and Weruva. Another option is to pour some raw goat milk into its food or make treats like bone broth dog popsicles.
What Can I Do For My Dehydrated Dog
If your dog is facing mild dehydration and is not yet hospitalized, you will have to try and fix the problem at home. We’ve gathered some tips that will be useful in rehydrating your parched pet.
- Take your dog indoors;
- Encourage them to drink water or an electrolyte drink;
- Constantly check your pup’s condition;
- Let your pup nap in a cool place.
If your furry friend doesn’t get any better, immediately take it to your local vet for proper medical treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days can a dog go without water?
Dogs can go three days at most without drinking water but will show symptoms in the first 24 hours.
How long can a dog go without food?
Most healthy dogs will live three to five days without eating food before showing any severe consequences, but only if they drink plenty of fluids.
Can I leave my dog without water during the day?
It’s not a big deal if you forget to fill your dog’s water bowl for a day, but try not to make that a regular occurrence.
Key Takeaways
So, how long can a dog go without water? Typically it takes two to three days until your pet is fully malnourished because of dehydration. This serious health concern can be fatal, so don’t forget to fill that dog bowl up before going to work.
