Lizzy06 Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Hi I've been having troubles over the last 6 months or more to get my dog to drink. It is a mission. I have to mix water in her food so i know she gets some down. It is very rare she goes to her bowl and drinks on her own! Sometimes in the evenings i can get her to drink a little after boiling her chicken and she will drink a little bit of the water left over!. I'm getting to my witts ends with her! Even after a long walk she usually still does not drink! ANy sugestions would be appreciated. Thankyou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Hi- She will drink- she may not need much if she is getting wet food - and perhaps she drinks when you're not around? leave out a few different bowls- often dogs prefer water which is not 'fresh'.Try different materials- a ceramic one, a metal one , a plastic one.... The more water you ,mix with her meals.. and the more chicken stock you give her- the LESS she will want to drink plain water make sure there is at least one DEEP container of water which stays cool... and try to not change water too often.. .let it sit for a day to remove chlorine and other smells use rainwater, perhaps? Our dogs all prefer to drink out of one particular container when outside (there are about 6 different watering points around our yard) If, after a long walk... she is tired and panting a lot- and doesn't drink- she may well do after she has 'cooled down bit'. Hope this has been helpful. oh- all our water containers are at least 4 litres capacity... some are about 30 litres...keeps the water cooler in our heat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mystiqview Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 There is a product called Dogade. Comes in Beef, Chicken or Bacon flavour. Its electrolite based, but also gets them to drink more. I use it particularly in summer or while exercising dogs. Found it is really good. They really drink it. http://www.dogplus.com.au/ Or try mixing a tiny bit of vegemite in with the water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Not much ingredient info in that product - only the vitamin breakdown ? It would be good for ill dogs. I think this little dog of Lizzy's has kidney and pancreas problems... so may need to watch intake of salts, etc.? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Dally owners often encourage their dogs to drink more water (to prevent kidney stones) by adding a dash of low lactose (i.e. pet) milk to the water.....might this help? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellz Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 My puppy wasn't a big drinker when she arrived. Her breeder was mixing a lot of water with her dry food so that she was getting fluids. I don't do that here. I gradually increased the amount of dry and decreased the water but made sure that there was clean and fresh water available at all times. Oh and I don't use tap water for my dogs, they get either bottled or distilled water because many dogs don't like the chlorine taste/smell that some tap water can have. And remember that their noses and taste buds are so sensitive that they can sense it even if we can't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WreckitWhippet Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 She has to be drinking and drinking enough, otherwise she would be dead. Just put out a selection of buckets and make sure fresh water is always there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mystiqview Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Not much ingredient info in that product - only the vitamin breakdown ?It would be good for ill dogs. I think this little dog of Lizzy's has kidney and pancreas problems... so may need to watch intake of salts, etc.? A vet seeing the dog would be the best to diagnose that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 A vet seeing the dog would be the best to diagnose that. definitely! Which is why I mentioned the lack of easily available ingredient info on that product- it could be tricky if someone just purchases something like that, thinking they are doing the right thing..but are providing something which may not do the dog any good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzy06 Posted February 26, 2009 Author Share Posted February 26, 2009 Hi-She will drink- she may not need much if she is getting wet food - and perhaps she drinks when you're not around? leave out a few different bowls- often dogs prefer water which is not 'fresh'.Try different materials- a ceramic one, a metal one , a plastic one.... The more water you ,mix with her meals.. and the more chicken stock you give her- the LESS she will want to drink plain water make sure there is at least one DEEP container of water which stays cool... and try to not change water too often.. .let it sit for a day to remove chlorine and other smells use rainwater, perhaps? Our dogs all prefer to drink out of one particular container when outside (there are about 6 different watering points around our yard) If, after a long walk... she is tired and panting a lot- and doesn't drink- she may well do after she has 'cooled down bit'. Hope this has been helpful. I know she does not drink when we are not around. Her water bowl level never changes :-( Even when she was a puppy she was the same. I will try the rain water idea.... that sounds good! At the moment she does have a cermaic one and a plastic one. I think she just never feels thirsty?? it is strange. My mums dogs drink alot!. I know she is getting water in her wet food but i feel as though she doesnt get enough. They say 50mls for each half a kilo the dog weighs. I work out she should drink about 300mls. I think she would be lucky to have 100mls at the very most! Thankyou for your help :-) oh- all our water containers are at least 4 litres capacity... some are about 30 litres...keeps the water cooler in our heat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzy06 Posted February 26, 2009 Author Share Posted February 26, 2009 Not much ingredient info in that product - only the vitamin breakdown ?It would be good for ill dogs. I think this little dog of Lizzy's has kidney and pancreas problems... so may need to watch intake of salts, etc.? Yes my little Lizzy girl does have Pancreas / kidney problems. So that is another issue i have to watch with the salt / fat intake! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzy06 Posted February 26, 2009 Author Share Posted February 26, 2009 Not much ingredient info in that product - only the vitamin breakdown ?It would be good for ill dogs. I think this little dog of Lizzy's has kidney and pancreas problems... so may need to watch intake of salts, etc.? A vet seeing the dog would be the best to diagnose that. She was at the vet all the time when she was very sick. They couldn't really help me with anyways to get her to drink more. He just said like a horse you can lead her to water but not force her to drink it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzy06 Posted February 26, 2009 Author Share Posted February 26, 2009 My puppy wasn't a big drinker when she arrived. Her breeder was mixing a lot of water with her dry food so that she was getting fluids. I don't do that here. I gradually increased the amount of dry and decreased the water but made sure that there was clean and fresh water available at all times. Oh and I don't use tap water for my dogs, they get either bottled or distilled water because many dogs don't like the chlorine taste/smell that some tap water can have. And remember that their noses and taste buds are so sensitive that they can sense it even if we can't. Does your puppy drink more these days or still not a big drinker? Does it depend on the breed of dog? she is a mini foxi cross chihauhua. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 (edited) Why do you think your dog needs to drink more? What is her drinking bowl made out of. Edited February 26, 2009 by poodlefan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzy06 Posted February 26, 2009 Author Share Posted February 26, 2009 Why do you think your dog needs to drink more?What is her drinking bowl made out of. Yes i honestly do. I have felt this for months and months now. She has two one is cermaic and one is plastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Hi- your dog probably only needs to drink about a cupful each day Don't forget the food contains water... and some is obtained when food is metabolised. Don't fuss... or try and encourage her... this may make her anxious about actually drinking in front of you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Why do you think your dog needs to drink more?What is her drinking bowl made out of. Yes i honestly do. I have felt this for months and months now. She has two one is cermaic and one is plastic. Is your feeling based on veterinary advice or just your perception of what she should be drinking? She is a tiny dog getting significant water in her food. I rarely see my smallest dog drink but she's not dehydrated. I'd suggest you get rid of the plastic bowl and replace with a stainless steel or food grade ceramic one. If the ceramic one you have is not food grade, I'd replace it too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiniMum Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 I have heard that you can give them ice cubes - something to chew thats also a drink? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzy06 Posted February 26, 2009 Author Share Posted February 26, 2009 Hi- your dog probably only needs to drink about a cupful each day Don't forget the food contains water... and some is obtained when food is metabolised. Don't fuss... or try and encourage her... this may make her anxious about actually drinking in front of you Yeah i know but she wouldn't even drink half a cup full a day :-( Ok will try not to encourage but it is hard when i know she isn't drinking enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzy06 Posted February 26, 2009 Author Share Posted February 26, 2009 I have heard that you can give them ice cubes - something to chew thats also a drink? Ive tried that she has one or two licks and then walks off. ha ha I'm sure she does this to test me lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now