How much water should a dog drink per day? The commonly cited veterinary range is about 40 to 60 ml of water per kg of body weight per day — so a 10 kg dog needs about 400 to 600 ml a day, and a 30 kg dog needs about 1.2 to 1.8 litres. That range is a starting point, not a prescription: a dog that eats wet food takes in a lot of water with its food and drinks less from the bowl, a dog that eats dry food drinks more, and hot weather, exercise, illness, and nursing all push the amount up. This guide gives the water table by weight, explains what changes the amount, and covers the signs of dehydration and the signs that drinking too much needs a vet.
The short version is: always have fresh water available, in more than one place, and let the dog drink when it is thirsty — a healthy dog is good at regulating its own water intake, and the owner's job is to make water available, not to measure every sip. Measure the amount only if you are worried: fill the bowl to a known level in the morning, measure what is left in the evening, and repeat for a few days. If the dog is drinking much more or much less than the range in the table below, or if its drinking has changed suddenly, mention it to your vet — a sudden change in drinking is often the first sign of illness. The dog water intake calculator works out the figure for any weight, and the dog feeding chart by weight guide gives the food amounts that go with it.
How much water should a dog drink per day?
The range vets commonly cite is about 40 to 60 ml per kg of body weight per day. That is the total water the animal takes in, from the bowl and from its food together. A wet food is about 70 to 80% water, so a pet that eats wet food may drink very little from the bowl and still be well hydrated — while a pet that eats dry food, which is only about 10% water, must drink almost all of its water from the bowl. That is why the bowl matters more for a pet on dry food, and why a pet that switches from wet to dry food will suddenly seem to drink a lot more: it is not drinking too much, it is making up for the water that used to come in its food.
| Body weight | Water per day (about) | In litres |
|---|---|---|
| 2 kg | 80–120 ml | About 0.1 litres |
| 5 kg | 200–300 ml | About 0.25 litres |
| 10 kg | 400–600 ml | About 0.5 litres |
| 20 kg | 800–1200 ml | About 1.0 litres |
| 30 kg | 1200–1800 ml | About 1.5 litres |
| 40 kg | 1600–2400 ml | About 2.0 litres |
| 50 kg | 2000–3000 ml | About 2.5 litres |
If your dog is between two rows, take the middle of the range for its weight. Note that the table is for a healthy adult dog at rest in normal weather — a dog that has been exercising, that is in hot weather, that is nursing, or that is ill will need more, and a dog that eats wet food will drink less from the bowl. The right amount is the one that keeps the dog hydrated: moist gums, skin that springs back when gently pinched, and normal energy. The how much food should a puppy eat guide gives the food tables for young dogs, and the senior dog diet guide covers water for older dogs.
What changes how much a dog drinks?
Food is the biggest factor: a dog on wet food drinks much less from the bowl than a dog on dry food, because wet food is mostly water. Weather is the next: a dog in hot weather, or after exercise, drinks more — sometimes much more — and that is normal, as long as it settles back to normal when the weather cools or the exercise ends. Activity matters too: a working or very active dog loses water through panting and exercise, and needs more to replace it. Age matters: a puppy drinks more per kg than an adult because it is growing, and a senior dog may drink more because its kidneys concentrate urine less well — which is normal in old age, but a sudden increase in an older dog is worth mentioning to your vet.
Illness is the factor that matters most. A dog that suddenly starts drinking much more than usual, or much less, may be ill — increased thirst is a common early sign of diabetes, kidney disease, and some other conditions, and a dog that stops drinking is at risk of dehydration within a day. Medication can change drinking too: some medicines make a dog drink more, and your vet should tell you if that is expected. If your dog's drinking has changed suddenly, measure it for a few days and take the numbers to your vet — a measured change is far more useful than a feeling that it seems to drink more. The diabetes in dogs guide and the kidney disease in dogs guide explain the conditions where thirst changes first.
Signs of dehydration in dogs
A dehydrated dog has dry or sticky gums, skin that stays tented when gently pinched and released, sunken eyes, and lethargy — and in a bad case, a fast heartbeat and cold paws. The skin test is the easiest to do at home: gently pinch the skin on the back of the neck or between the shoulder blades, let go, and watch how fast it springs back. In a well-hydrated dog it springs back at once; in a dehydrated dog it stays tented for a second or two. The test is less reliable in very old or very thin dogs, whose skin is less elastic anyway, so use it with the gums and the general state of the dog, not on its own.
If a dog is mildly dehydrated after a hot day or a bout of vomiting or diarrhoea, offer small amounts of fresh water often, and call your vet if it will not drink, if it vomits the water back up, or if it is lethargic. Do not force water into a dog's mouth — it can go down the wrong way. A dog that is badly dehydrated needs a vet, not a bowl: it may need fluids under the skin or into a vein, and the cause of the dehydration needs finding. Young dogs dehydrate faster than adults, so a puppy with vomiting or diarrhoea should be seen by a vet the same day. The table above is the reference — the related guides below cover food, age, and health.
How to encourage a dog to drink more
Put fresh water in more than one place, in clean bowls, away from the food bowl and away from the litter tray — many dogs, and cats in particular, prefer to drink away from where they eat. Change the water daily, wash the bowls daily, and use a wide, shallow bowl for cats, whose whiskers can touch the sides of a narrow bowl and put them off drinking. Some dogs drink more from a running tap or a pet fountain, because moving water attracts them — a fountain is worth trying for a dog that does not drink enough. Adding a little water to dry food, or offering wet food, also increases water intake without the dog having to drink more from the bowl.
Do not add flavourings, milk, or broth to the water without veterinary advice: milk upsets many adult dogs, and broth is often salty, which makes thirst worse rather than better. Do not restrict water to stop a dog urinating in the house — a dog that needs water and cannot get it will dehydrate, and a dog that is urinating in the house needs a vet, not less water. If your dog drinks a lot more than the table suggests and it is not hot, not exercising, and not eating dry food, measure the amount for a few days and take it to your vet: increased thirst is a common early sign of illness, and it is better to check it early than to wait.
When drinking too much needs a vet
See a vet if your dog is drinking much more than the range in the table for more than a few days, if its drinking has increased suddenly, if it is urinating much more or having accidents in the house, or if it is drinking a lot and losing weight at the same time. Those are common early signs of diabetes, kidney disease, and some other conditions, and they are all easier to treat when they are caught early. Bring a measured amount — fill the bowl to a known level in the morning, measure what is left in the evening, and repeat for three days — because a measured number helps the vet far more than a feeling that the dog drinks a lot.
See a vet the same day if a dog will not drink at all, if it vomits water back up, if it is lethargic or collapsed, or if a puppy has vomiting or diarrhoea. A dog that is not drinking can dehydrate within a day, and a puppy faster than that. At the vet, expect a physical check, and possibly a blood test and a urine test — those are the usual first steps when drinking has changed, and they show whether the kidneys, the blood sugar, and the hydration are normal. The dog calorie calculator works out daily food for any weight, and the adult dog food calculator guide gives the full food tables.
For related reading, see the dog water intake calculator, the dog feeding chart by weight guide, the diabetes in dogs guide, the kidney disease in dogs guide, the dog calorie calculator, the senior dog diet guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much water should a dog drink per day?
The commonly cited veterinary range is about 40 to 60 ml per kg of body weight per day — so a 10 kg dog needs about 400 to 600 ml a day, and a 30 kg dog needs about 1.2 to 1.8 litres. A dog on wet food drinks less from the bowl, because wet food is mostly water, and a dog in hot weather or after exercise drinks more. Always have fresh water available in more than one place.
How do I know if my dog is dehydrated?
Check the gums — they should be moist, not dry or sticky — and the skin test: gently pinch the skin on the back of the neck, let go, and watch how fast it springs back. In a well-hydrated dog it springs back at once; in a dehydrated dog it stays tented for a second or two. A dehydrated dog is also lethargic, with sunken eyes. If a dog will not drink, or vomits water back up, see a vet the same day.
Why is my dog drinking more than usual?
Hot weather, exercise, dry food, and nursing all increase drinking, and that is normal. But a sudden increase that lasts more than a few days, especially with more urination or weight loss, can be an early sign of diabetes, kidney disease, or another condition. Measure the amount for three days and take the numbers to your vet.
Should a dog on wet food drink less water?
Yes — wet food is about 70 to 80% water, so a dog on wet food may drink very little from the bowl and still be well hydrated. A dog on dry food, which is only about 10% water, must drink almost all of its water from the bowl. That is why a dog that switches from wet to dry food suddenly seems to drink a lot more.
How can I get my dog to drink more water?
Put fresh water in more than one place, in clean bowls, away from the food bowl, and change it daily. Use a wide, shallow bowl for cats, and try a pet fountain — many dogs drink more from moving water. Adding a little water to dry food, or offering wet food, also increases water intake. Do not add milk or salty broth to the water.
Is it normal for a senior dog to drink more?
Older dogs often drink a little more, because their kidneys concentrate urine less well — which is normal in old age. But a sudden increase in an older dog is worth mentioning to your vet, because increased thirst is a common early sign of kidney disease and diabetes, and both are easier to treat when they are caught early.
Results on this page are estimates for general information only and are not veterinary advice. If your pet is ill, underweight, overweight, pregnant, or has a health condition, consult your veterinarian before changing diet or care.