How Much Water Should A Puppy Drink?

Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

When puppies are very young, all of their nutritional needs, including their hydration, are met with their mother’s milk. Once a puppy starts transitioning to solid foods, however, it’s time to pull out the water bowl.

Puppies who don’t drink enough water can get dehydrated and may become very ill. But how much is enough to keep your new pup healthy and happy? That depends on their size, the weather, and even the foods they eat.

To learn more about puppy hydration, we spoke with veterinary expert Dr. Paige Adams, DVM. She explains everything you need to know about your puppy’s water intake, from how much they should drink per day to the role your puppy’s water bowl plays in house training.

How Much Water Should a Puppy Drink?

“A general rule of thumb is that a puppy should drink about ½ – 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight,” says Dr. Adams. That means a puppy who weighs 10 pounds should drink 5-10 ounces of water daily, while a 20-pound puppy needs 10-20 ounces.

Puppy water needs by weight

Weight	Water Needed per Day
5 Pounds	2-5 oz
10 Pounds	5-10 oz
20 Pounds	10-20 oz
30 Pounds	15-30 oz
40 Pounds	20-40 oz
50 Pounds	25-50 oz
60 Pounds	30-60 oz

To help them get their daily intake of water, puppies should have access to clean water at all times. They can even have water in their crate at night. If you’re concerned about spills, try a no-spill bowl or attach a doggy water bottle to the side of the crate.

Measuring your puppy’s water intake

Most pet parents leave a dog water bowl out all day, filling it as needed. This method is great for making water perpetually available to your puppy, but it doesn’t always give you a good indication of how much water they’re actually drinking.

One way to measure your pup’s intake is to use a measuring cup and fill the bowl with the exact same amount every time. All you have to do is count the number of times you filled the bowl and then multiply by the number of ounces in your pre-measured pours.

Alternatively, a high-capacity dog water fountain ensures that your pup’s bowl is almost never empty. By monitoring the difference between the water levels in the fountain at the beginning and end of the day, you can get a sense of how much water your pup is consuming.

Puppy drinks water from fountain at park

JodiJacobson via iStock

Factors That Change Water Intake

Every rule of thumb comes with some wiggle room, including your puppy’s water needs. Dr. Adams explains that the recommended amount of water will vary based on factors like your dog’s activity level and the weather.

Exercise

More active puppies usually need more water, says Dr. Adams. She explains it in human terms: “If we’re sitting at a desk working, we may not be as thirsty as if we go to the gym or even sitting outside by the pool on a hot summer day.”

Weather

That hot summer day scenario points to another key factor in your pup’s water intake: climate. Puppies who live in warm climates face more hot-weather hazards and typically need more water to stay hydrated, especially if they’re spending a lot of time outside. Humidity is important too, as dry air is more likely to cause dehydration.

Diet

Wet food has a higher moisture content than dry kibble. Puppies who eat wet food (whether exclusively or as part of a balanced diet) may not need to drink as much water as those who eat only dry food.

Age

One factor that doesn’t change your dog’s water intake is age. Once your pup is weaned (usually around 3-4 weeks of age) they should have regular access to water.

While puppies tend to drink more water than adult dogs, the amount of water a dog needs per pound of body weight is the same. In other words, adult dogs need at least a half ounce of water per pound of body weight each day, just like young pups.

The key multiplier is your puppy’s weight, as noted in the chart above. This universal guideline makes it easier to determine their water needs as they grow up.

Signs Your Puppy Is Drinking Too Little

Not getting enough water is particularly dangerous for puppies due to their size. “Puppies can become dehydrated very quickly since they are so small,” says Dr. Adams. “This is why anytime a puppy is vomiting or has diarrhea, your veterinarian will offer to give them extra fluids.”

Symptoms to watch for

If you’re not sure if your puppy is getting enough water, Dr. Adams says to pay special attention to their mouths.

“You can feel your puppy’s gums. They should be wet in a normal, well-hydrated animal,” she explains. “If they are tacky and dry, that could indicate dehydration.”

Common signs of dehydration in puppies and dogs include:

Lethargy
Reduced appetite or a puppy not eating
Excessive panting
Sunken eyes
Dry or tacky gums

Do you need to visit the vet?

If you notice any of the symptoms of dehydration in dogs, it’s best to contact a vet immediately. Dehydration can quickly become life-threatening for puppies, as well as for senior pooches and dogs with underlying health conditions.

“If a puppy is lethargic and not acting like their normal selves, that would be an indication that something may be going on, and it’s time to see your vet,” says Dr. Adams.

Suddenly refusing water can point to a possible illness beyond dehydration. Both food allergies and intestinal parasites, for example, may cause puppies to stop drinking water. Depending on your dog’s symptoms and how long it’s been since they’ve had any water, you may need to seek emergency care.

How to encourage a puppy to drink more

For most pups, just having access to a clean water bowl every day is enough to help them meet their water needs.

“If a puppy is particularly uninterested in water, you can splash in some low-sodium broth in there for a bit of extra flavor,” says Dr. Adams. She also notes that there are specially made dental water additives that both taste good and support good oral health.

Here are a few more tips to encourage your puppy to drink more.

Try new food: For pups who would rather eat their water than lap it up, you can try switching to a wet food diet, adding wet food to your puppy’s regular kibble, or even adding water to their meals.
Offer hydrating treats: Some pups love licking ice cubes, while others love dog-friendly frozen sweets like blueberry and yogurt frozen dog treats. Just keep an eye on your pup while they’re enjoying frozen treats to prevent choking.
Freshen it up: Puppies should always have access to fresh, clean water. Clean, rinse, and refill their bowl each day to keep the water from getting stale. If that still doesn’t do the trick, you can try offering your pup bottled or filtered water instead of tap water.
Make it convenient: Keep your pup’s water bowl in an easy-to-access spot. If your pup is picky, try moving the bowl around to find a spot they like. For those who live in a large space, it can also be a good idea to place additional water bowls around your house.
Swap bowls: If your puppy can’t easily reach over the rim of the bowl to lap up water, the bowl is too big. Switching to a smaller bowl may help them drink more easily. You can also try bowls made of different materials—like glass, ceramic, and metal—as some dogs prefer certain bowls over others.

Person pouring water from bottle into bowl for dog

Bobex-73 via iStock

Signs Your Puppy Is Drinking Too Much

For most pups (and people), drinking too much water is far less of a risk than not getting enough. However, puppies who drink excessive amounts of water could be at risk for a serious condition known as water intoxication.

“If a dog drinks too much fresh water too quickly, it can cause electrolyte imbalances,” says Dr. Adams. Those imbalances can, in turn, lead to other serious health problems.

You probably don’t have to worry about water intoxication if your pup finishes off their bowl of water after a vigorous game of fetch. But if they’re emptying multiple bowls of water at a time, you might have reason to be concerned. Dogs who have been swimming for a long period of time are particularly at risk from water intoxication, due to extra water consumed during their swim.

Symptoms to watch for

Common symptoms of water intoxication include:

Lethargy
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Seizures
Loss of coordination
Disorientation
Bloating
Excessive drooling
Excessive peeing of clear urine

Do you need to visit the vet?

“Water intoxication can be extremely dangerous and emergency veterinary care is needed,” says Dr. Adams. “The dog needs to be hospitalized to correct the electrolyte derangements.”

Balancing electrolytes isn’t likely something you can do on your own. If your dog is showing any signs of water intoxication, get them to a veterinarian immediately.

Is it ever okay to limit or withhold water?

In general, puppies are pretty good at self-regulating their water intake. For most pups, you don’t need to limit the amount of water they drink unless you notice that they’re regularly drinking more than they should. If that’s the case, a trip to the vet may be needed to rule out any health concerns.

Limiting water intake for a healthy pup can have unexpected consequences, says Dr. Adams. “If you don’t teach a puppy how to manage their own water intake, you may end up with a puppy that drinks as much water as possible each time it’s offered because they don’t know when they’ll get it again.” Rescue dogs are particularly susceptible to water hoarding.

Dr. Adams says it can, however, be okay to thoughtfully withhold your puppy’s water at certain times during potty training. She typically picks up the water bowl before bedtime so that puppies can’t drink all night long. The key is to provide plenty of fresh water when puppies wake up and throughout the day so that they’re getting all the water they need before they lie down.

You’ll also want to take your puppy out for a potty break before they go to bed and as soon as they wake up. This balance helps to ensure that your pup is both well-hydrated and accident-free.

How Much Water Does My Puppy Need To Drink?