Getting a dog means you’re signing up for long walks, a lifetime of cuddles, and fantastic company!
However, this 4-paw cheerful companion is also a full-time responsibility. You see, you’d have to ensure a healthy lifestyle for your pet so he can grow as a happy, lively soul ready to go along with you through life.
Although many things matter when it comes to your pet’s healthy life, water intake can influence his overall health.
Many health problems can occur without a keen observation, as the signs can be ultra-fine, but the outcomes of dehydration may be severe.
Are you eager to find how long can a dog go without water? And what are your furry friend’s water needs? This article will briefly explain the things you need to know in this regard.
Table of Contents
Can Dogs Survive Without Water for long?
If you have contrived to do your work without recalling topping up your pet’s water bowl, there are chances that your dog will be fine for the workday duration. Generally, dogs can survive easily for about three days without drinking water.
However, it’s essential to note that just surviving is not enough for good health. A dog who has not drunk enough water for a long time will surely need instant hydration, be in poor health, and immediately require medical care to prevent any long-term damage.
The body of your dog usually contains about 80% of water, and a loss of 10% could, no doubt, have exceedingly severe consequences. If this health issue is not cured instantly, the outcomes could be even more fatal.
If your dog is dehydrated, consider purchasing the best wet food for your dog as it has high moisture content and can be beneficial to fight dehydration to a great extent.
You can check Pedigree Choice Cuts in Gravy Adult Wet Dog Food as it’s a hot-seller with a fantastic trust profile of pet parents.
Factors that Lead to Poor Water Consumption
Dehydration in dogs may appear due to the owner’s negligence, but this is not always the case as every pet owner tries to look after his pet to its best.
The dehydration may also result from any external factor leading to water intake’s rejection or any internal (physiological) factor leading to the dog’s water consumption issues.
We’ll discuss both in detail so you can figure out how long can a dog go without water and what you can do to help him in case of dehydration.
External/Environmental Factors
Some of the dogs may not have convenient water access, particularly if they’re homeless, because warm and scorching climates majorly affect water availability conditions. Other external factors in which dogs tend to avoid drinking water are as follows:
- Tainted Water
Dogs are extremely sensitive animals and can detect odors and tastes, which most human beings may not even distinguish.
The dog drinking a lot of water stays healthy and lively, but it can easily refuse drinking water without even appearing disturbed or distressed in any way.
When this occurs, you have to examine the water abnormalities as they could be highly tainted with iron or dirt. Dogs want and need clean and pure water to stay safe and healthy in the long run.
- Cold Weather
Another main reason why a dog will continue to survive without water for a very long period is the climate/weather. Drinking water highly assists in regulating the temperature of a pet’s body to a great extent.
Most of the dogs typically drink water to exchange the one they have strayed from due to heat. However, when there is cold weather, your dog may not usually drink as much water as it’s not roaming too much fluid.
- Being Unfamiliar with the Place
A dog’s keen sense of smell allows them to identify when they are in unknown territory quickly. As a result, the dog may become cautious or highly nervous and may refuse to drink water.
Internal/Physiological Factors
It’s really weird for a dog to live without drinking water for many days. But of course, there could be more than a few causes why your dog chooses to avoid water despite the availability. Some of these conditions are:
- Urinary Tract Infection
Urinary tract infections in dogs usually begin from the urethra and, after some time, move gradually to the bladder. At times, the disease of inflammation may even start affecting the kidneys as well.
Therefore, if you are noticing the below-mentioned things in your dog, it’s more likely that your pet has an infection in the urinary tract:
- Impotence to have a regular or free flow of urine is generally distinguished by a lack of power to urinate and even stand.
- Exhibits symptoms of an endangered or compromised immune system
- An adversely high urine concentration leading to many complications
If left untreated, such issues can cause severe infection in the kidneys and the bladder and are usually more typical in older and female dogs. They can show many symptoms such as:
- Painful urination
- More frequent urination
- Urination in the house
- Blood in the urine, etc.
- Oral Injuries
Illness or injuries can, without any doubt, disrupt a dog’s average water consumption. If your dog is going through any oral damage, just don’t expect regular water intake.
The pain from these injuries and inflammatory diseases can obstruct your poor canine’s water intake for many days in a row.
Some of the primary injuries leading a dog to refuse water intake are:
- Tooth root abscess
- Mouth cancer
- Periodontal disease
- Dislocation
- Fracture, etc.
Both periodontal disease and tooth root cysts are correlated with inadequate oral hygiene. Further, if your dog suffers a trauma, it can lead to fracture, dislocation, and loss, ultimately leading to insufficient water intake.
- Aging
Unfortunately, older dogs are more prone to catch many health issues, making it harder for them to stay hydrated even though they still require water to drink.
Older dogs are generally unwilling to utilize their declining energies to get to that place where they can quickly drink water.
And since they don’t do exercises like an agile and younger dog, they may not get as thirsty as other dogs. It means that they’ll have an exceptionally lower thirst level.
- Traumatic Experience
When a dog goes through a bad and traumatic experience like neutering, castration, and dental surgery, it might refuse to take water. That may be due to severe depression, sadness, and social anxiety resulting from shock or trauma.
A Tip: If you are wondering how to rehydrate a dog, here’s a fun tip. If your poor pooch is firmly rejecting water, you can play a smart trick by offering him some ice chips as they are the quickest and most innovative way to rehydrate your sick pup. You can provide your pooch ice chips many times a day to restore their water balance in a fun way.
Why Is Water Important for Your Dog?
Any metabolic process or action in any creature and, of course, dogs is based on water.
The value of water cannot be overstated, especially when it comes to canines like dogs. Water is the primary element that helps transport vital nutrients from one part to another part of the body and in and out of cells.
Water also aids in the digestion and absorption of foods inside the body. After a run, it also aids in cooling a dog’s body to help them regain their average body temperature.
Moreover, water is also necessary for dogs because it cushions the joints after lubrication and makes their movement more accessible.
The spinal cord and other body tissues are all cushioned with moisture, and also, water removes metabolic wastes from the body via urination. Conclusively, water is crucial for every bodily function.
It is the main reason why dogs require at least twice as much water as their food. For example, if your dog eats two cups of kibble in a day, he has to drink at least four to five cups of water in a day.
In addition to this, your dog will not be able to drink this much water in one sitting; no dog can. However, if the water bowl is kept full, the pooch can consume water in small sips throughout the day whenever he feels thirsty. Still, if he eats wet food, he may need less water.
But how would you know if he isn’t thirsty, or he isn’t taking enough water? The answer is to understand the symptoms of dehydration.
What are the Symptoms of Dehydration?
You must be conscious of how much water your little dog consumes daily. If your dog’s water bowl appears to be untouched after you fill it up before leaving for work in the morning, you should pay attention to identify its behavior.
The following alarming signs will warn you if your dog is steadily dehydrating and whether you should bring your furry friend to your nearest veterinarian or not.
- A Reduced Appetite
If your baby dog is dehydrated, it may have difficulty digesting or swallowing food. Any change in appetite must be noticed and monitored, as it could indicate a more severe problem.
- Sunken Eyes
Dehydration can also severely affect the eyes, and the best way to spot this is to see if your dog’s eyes unexpectedly seem sunken.
That’s due to the lack of hydration in his eye’s protective muscles. If it’s so, see your local veterinarian as soon as possible to take care of the severe dehydration.
- Lethargy
As a result of dehydration, there is less blood circulating into your dog’s muscles. Hence, they would have less energy to power themselves. They may seem lethargic and uninterested in everyday activities, including playing with their favorite toys or mates.
- Abnormal Panting
Excessive panting indicates your dog is feeling hot and is probably thirsty. It suggests that he is dehydrated, and if he is left to pant for a long time, the problem can worsen.
- Depleted Skin Elasticity
Dogs’ skins are usually very flexible. That is, if you tug on your dog’s skin, it will automatically return to its original position.
When the skin of a dehydrated dog is pulled out of position, it takes some time to return to its original shape. Use this tip to see if your dog is dehydrated or not!
- Dry Nose and Gums
Your dog’s nose should be wet or moist. If it is dry or cracking, it may be a sign of dehydration.
- Color of Dog’s Pee
Just like all mammals, the color of your pup’s pee can indicate hydration level. A pale or light yellow urine is considered good, whereas a darker yellow indicates inadequate hydration.
How Long Can a Dog Go Without Water?
If you are eager to find exactly how long can a dog go without water and food, it’s essential to know that the situation varies depending upon different root causes:
· If He Is Sick:
If your dog is ill, he or she will probably not want to eat or drink anything. It is acceptable for a while, but it may be an issue if your dog is vomiting or has diarrhea.
The length of time the dog will stay without water depends on some factors, including what caused the illness in the first place.
If a dog has diarrhea, it will probably need to drink something within 16 to 20 hours. If the dog is not drinking, it will usually last about 20 hours until you need to take it to an emergency veterinarian.
Moreover, if your dog is vomiting, keep it to the house for at least 6 to 8 hours to prevent it from eating grass or leaves.
For a few hours, give 1 or 2 tablespoons of water per hour. You can give it with Famotidine or Omeprazole to help relax its stomach but consult your veterinarian first.
· If He Has Undergone A Surgery:
Again, the answer to the query “how long can a dog go without water after surgery” varies on the type of surgical procedure it went through.
Your dog may not feel like eating after surgery because it feels nauseated, which should improve with time. Just keep offering water, but don’t force it. If your dog does not drink within 24 hours, contact your vet.
How Much Water Should A Dog Drink in A Day?
Did you ever wonder how much water should a dog drink a day? If not, search it today to keep your little pup all hydrated.
Generally, dogs should drink at least one ounce of water per pound of body weight. For example, a 50-pound dog needs to drink at least 50 ounces of water per day.
Although a dog might be able to go for up to three days without water, it will most likely be in poor health.
If the dog is outside on a hot day, even one day without water is too long.
My Dog Refuses to Eat or Drink. What should I do?
It is expected that your furry dog cannot go without water for more than three days. That’s because dehydration can be dangerous and even fatal. Well, your dog would not be in danger of running out of water or being seriously dehydrated if you follow the steps below.
- Use Hydrated Food
If your canine is ill and needs to be encouraged to drink or rehydrate quickly, wet food is the best option to feed him. Before offering your pup the meal, pour fresh water on the kibble and allow the pellets to absorb the water for a few minutes.
Take Water on Walks with Your Dog
It is essential to take your dog for a walk to maintain a physically and emotionally healthy lifestyle for him. If you’re doing it on a hot day, make sure you bring plenty of new, clean water with you so he can sip up between the walk to prevent heat and panting.
Here’s a Prima Pets Collapsible Silicone Food & Water Travel Bowl with Clip that you can tie to your dog’s leash for added convenience.
- Avoid Salty Foods
You should not feed salty food to dogs of any age. That’s because salt can cause excessive thirst as well as high blood pressure.
Excessive salt in your dog’s diet can also cause fits, vomiting, and tremor. So, don’t share your snacks with your dog. Do not give your dog cookies, crisps, popcorn, or other similar foods.
- Make Water Available at All Times
Make sure your baby friend has enough access to lean water all the time. Put his water bowl in a convenient location to get to it quickly and sip up easily.
You can take good care of your pup’s hydration by considering all the symptoms, causes, and reasons mentioned above.
Also, you can get through the handful of information provided at Saucedpet. Still, if you think you need to know more, you can read The Ultimate Pet Health Guide, as it’s a masterpiece for all the pet owners out there.
Conclusion
Water is an element of life, and any up and down in its balance can cause alarming outcomes, ultimately leading to severe dehydration and death.
There’re a lot of signs that warn about low water levels in your pup’s body, and on-time handling can save your pet from a lot of disastrous issues.
Keep a check on the symptoms of dehydration, figure out any external or internal factors leading to insufficient water consumption and handle the cause smartly. If your dog still refuses to take water, take him to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
As in the end, a happy and lively pet is the one who keeps the family happy!
