You’ve probably been told multiple times in your life about how important it is to stay hydrated. Not only does water quench your thirst, but it has many health benefits for you too. The same applies to your dog. Drinking the right amount of water helps with joint health and also removes toxins in the body, keeping the kidneys and liver healthy while reducing pain at the same time.
Veterinarians recommend that dogs drink one ounce of water per pound of body weight per day. Therefore, if you are the owner of a larger breed, they will require a more significant amount of water. However, this can be difficult for dogs that don’t like water. Below are our top tips on helping your furry friend get their much-needed hydration each day, especially in the summer months.
Add some flavor
Just like humans, dogs are enticed to eat or drink when there is more flavor involved. Just like how we add cucumber to our water, you can do the same for your furry friend. Consider adding different flavored broths to the water. For example, provide them with chicken on Monday but then beef on Tuesday. This prevents them from getting bored and allows them to get a bit excited over what flavor they’ll be getting that day. You can also discover which one is their favorite and which one encourages them to drink more.
Provide more water bowls
Your dog may not be drinking enough water because they don’t have enough access to it. For some dogs, just one bowl in the home isn’t enough. By providing one outside and inside, and in every room they sleep or play in, they’re more likely to have a drink. The water will always be in sight and reminds them to drink water. As they say, out of sight, out of mind, which could be the reason they don’t drink as much as they need.
Freeze their beloved toys
Dogs are active animals, and some physical and mental stimulation may be the best thing to combine with drinking water. A great way to do this is by taking their favorite toy and freezing it inside a bowl of water. They’ll be desperate to get to it, so your furry friend will most likely lick the ice to gain access while also getting a large amount of their daily water intake. You can make things even more enjoyable for them by using broth instead of water when freezing the toy. You’ll no doubt see lots of wagging tails while they enjoy the flavors of the broth and having fun at the same time.
Play some water games
Just like with the frozen toys, playing water games with your dog is an excellent way for them to have fun while drinking water at the same time. Think back to when you were a kid; what sort of games did you play with water when it was hot? Your dog will enjoy a wide range of activities, and you can even get some bonding time in too. Maybe let the sprinkler go off outside and encourage your furry friend to run through it with you. Or even get the paddling pool out and go for a little dip. There’s no doubt from all the excitement and activity that your dog will stop and have a few drinks throughout the games.
Test out different bowls
Do you have a favorite dish you like to eat or drink out of? Well, your dog can have preferences too. If they aren’t drinking enough water now, it may be that they don’t like the material the bowl is made out of, or it’s the wrong size for them. Consider using different types of bowls, such as stainless steel, ceramic, glass, or plastic. Allow them a week or two to test the bowl, and if things haven’t improved, you can switch things up again. Hopefully, your dog will fall in love with one of them, and their drinking habits will improve.
You now have our top tips on getting your dog to drink more. Not all work for every dog, so you’re going to want to test each out and see which one your furry friend loves most. You need to keep in mind how important it is for your dog to stay hydrated, especially in the summer months. It’s a great way to cool them down but also promote better health. Once you find the one that works for you, stick to it and don’t try and switch things up again.