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Frequently Asked Questions on How to Increase Your Dog’s Water Intake — Key Points for Pet Owners

UrinaryQ&AMeongsiljang Veterinary Advisory Board

When dogs don’t drink enough water, their risk of urinary tract diseases increases. Here are answers to frequently asked questions about how to encourage your dog to drink more water.

Changing Your Behavior Is the Key to Increasing Your Dog’s Water Intake

A cute illustration of a puppy gazing at its water bowl

To increase your dog’s water intake, improving your daily habits is more important than simply offering more water. - Adjust the water bowl location: Placing it in a quiet area with minimal foot traffic allows your dog to drink without stress. - Change the bowl type: Stainless steel or ceramic bowls tend to retain fewer odors, which often makes drinking more comfortable for dogs. - Establish a water-changing routine: Refresh the water 2–3 times a day and thoroughly clean the bowl each time. - Schedule drinking times: Developing a habit of offering water after walks, before meals, and before bed encourages natural drinking. - Consider flavoring the water: Adding chicken broth or fish soup to water has uncertain effectiveness and may contain salt, so we do not actively recommend it. If you do try this, ensure the product is pure and low in sodium, use only a very small amount, and closely monitor your dog’s response. While flavoring can spark interest, the safest approach is to frequently provide fresh, clean water. Combining environmental adjustments with consistent habits yields the best results.

Why Is Your Dog Drinking Less Water?

There are several reasons why a dog might drink less water. - Bowl cleanliness: If the water bowl is dirty, the odor can make your dog reluctant to drink. - Taste of the water: Plain water may not be appealing enough to hold your dog’s interest. - Environmental distractions: In busy or noisy areas, your dog may have trouble focusing and thus skip drinking. - Psychological factors: Stress, anxiety, or changes in the environment can naturally reduce water intake. - Health issues: Urinary tract diseases or kidney dysfunction often cause increased thirst and urination (polydipsia and polyuria). Therefore, if you notice a sudden change in your dog’s water consumption or urination pattern compared to their usual habits, it could indicate a health problem. It’s best to investigate the cause and consult with a veterinarian.

The expression of a dog sniffing a dirty bowl

5 Practical Tips to Encourage Your Dog to Drink More Water

To encourage your dog to drink more water, try the following methods:

Change the water frequently: Refresh the water at least twice a day and keep the bowl clean.

Use different bowls: Try alternating between stainless steel, ceramic, and plastic bowls.

Experiment with water flavor: Broths or soups may contain salt and their effectiveness is uncertain, so we do not actively recommend them. If you do try this, use only a very small amount. It is safer to focus on frequently refreshing clean water and maintaining bowl hygiene.

Use a water fountain: Transparent fountains that show flowing water can interest some dogs, but results vary greatly by individual, and some dogs may dislike them or fail to get used to them. Consider this only as a supplementary method.

Establish drinking times: Develop a habit of offering water after walks and before meals.

A puppy drinking water from a water bottle

Comparison Chart of Methods to Increase Your Dog’s Water Intake

Item	Effectiveness	Preparation Time	Cost
Frequently Changing the Water Bowl	High	Low	Low
Using Various Bowls	Moderate	Low	Low
Adding Broth to Water	Fair (concern over excess sodium)	Moderate	Low
Using a Water Pouch	Moderate (large individual variation)	Moderate	Moderate
Setting Water-Drinking Times	High	Low	Low

Effectiveness indicates how much it helps increase the dog's water intake, rated as high, moderate, or fair. However, when adding broth or soup to the water, caution is needed in the assessment due to salt intake and health risks.

It Can Be Dangerous If Your Dog Doesn’t Drink Enough Water

If your dog doesn’t drink enough water, it can put their urinary tract health at risk. - Increased risk of urinary tract diseases: When your dog is dehydrated, their urine becomes more concentrated, which can strain the urinary tract. - Higher chance of stone formation: Frequent production of concentrated urine can increase the likelihood of developing stones. - Decline in kidney function: Long-term dehydration can place a burden on the kidneys. - Changes in urine color: Brown or dark yellow urine may be a sign that your dog isn’t getting enough water. - Immediate action needed: If your dog is drinking significantly less water than usual or producing much less urine, consult your veterinarian right away. Dehydration can also show up as dry, sticky gums, reduced skin elasticity, or sunken eyes. The most important thing is to prevent these issues through regular daily care.

The sad expression of a puppy that won’t drink water

Signs That Require an Immediate Vet Visit

If your dog hasn’t drunk water for more than 12 hours, is producing very little urine, or is showing signs of vomiting, lethargy, or abdominal pain, you should take them to the vet immediately. These could be signs of dehydration or kidney dysfunction.

Daily Management Tips to Increase Your Dog’s Water Intake

To encourage your dog to drink more water, you need to consistently improve daily habits. - Offer water after walks: Providing water when your dog is thirsty from post-walk activity encourages natural drinking. - Provide water before meals: Offering water before eating helps maintain hydration throughout the meal. - Create a quiet drinking spot: Placing the bowl in a quiet area with minimal human activity allows your dog to drink without stress. - Change the water bowl frequently: Refresh the water at least twice a day and keep the bowl clean. - Try changing the taste of the water: Adding broth or soup to water has unclear effectiveness and may contain salt, so it is not strongly recommended. If you do try it, use only a very small amount; instead, regularly refreshing clean water and using a clean bowl is safer. - Change the water bowl location: Place bowls in multiple spots and observe where your dog drinks the most. Consistent care like this is important.

Reviewed by a veterinarian

Dr. Tony — Punnawat Phongkittirak

Veterinarian

A veterinarian who majored in veterinary medicine at Khon Kaen University, Thailand, and completed the IVSA program at North Carolina State University in the United States. Drawing on clinical experience at animal hospitals, he works in the pet healthcare field and is dedicated to building a digital care environment that connects pet parents with veterinarians.

Frequently Asked Questions

My dog isn’t drinking water. What should I do?

First, thoroughly clean the water bowl and refresh the water frequently. You may also try changing the type or location of the bowl. Adding broth or soup is difficult to recommend, as these can contain salt and their effectiveness is unclear. The most important thing is to provide clean water and maintain a hygienic bowl.

Are water balloons really effective?

Water fountains and automatic waterers can pique some dogs’ interest with their flowing water, but responses vary widely—some may dislike them or simply never get used to them. They’re best viewed as a supportive aid to encourage hydration, not a core strategy.

Can I add broth to the water?

A small amount of chicken or fish broth may pique some dogs' interest, but caution is needed because it can contain salt. If you do try it, use only a minimal amount and prioritize maintaining healthy habits, such as ensuring your dog drinks plenty of fresh water.

It’s normal for dogs to urinate more frequently after drinking water. Is this a cause for concern?

Drinking more water naturally increases urine output, which is generally a normal change. However, if your pet starts urinating excessively frequently, has difficulty eliminating, or drinks significantly less water than usual, please consult your veterinarian immediately.

Is it okay to put the water bowl in the refrigerator?

While chilled water may pique the interest of some dogs, excessively cold water can be a strain on their system, so offering water at room temperature is generally the safest choice. You can store the water in the refrigerator, but it’s best to let it warm up to room temperature before serving it to your dog.

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References

[1] Notes on Canine Internal Medicine, 4th Ed. (2023). Chapter 8: Urinary Concentrating Ability and Hydration Status.

[2] Urinalysis in the Dog and Cat (2022). CRC Press. Section 4.2: Interpretation of Urine Specific Gravity.

[3] Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed. (2021). Section on Fluid Therapy and Hydration Monitoring.