How to trick your dog into drinking water?
If you’re like most pet owners, you know that your dog loves to drink water. But did you know that you can trick your dog into drinking water using simple techniques? Following these tips ensures your dog gets the hydration it needs and stays healthy overall. So whether you’re looking to prevent your dog from getting sick, teach it good drinking habits, or make life a little easier for you and your pooch, read on for helpful tips!
Amount of Water a Dog Needs Per Day
First and foremost, you’ll want to know the amount of water a dog needs per day. This varies depending on your pet’s size, breed, age, exercise level, and environment.
However, most experts recommend that dogs drink around 10-12 cups of fresh water daily. So if you’re worried about your dog getting enough hydration or prefer not to mess with measuring cups (or have a particularly thirsty pup), give these tips a try!
Moreover, keep an eye on your dog’s water intake. If it seems like it isn’t drinking enough, give it a little more attention and ensure you provide plenty of fresh water throughout the day.
15 Ways to Trick Your Dog into Drinking Water
Now that you know how much water your dog needs per day, it’s time to learn some techniques for getting it to drink. Here are 15 ways to get your pup into drinking water:
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Place water where dog hangs out:
One of the easiest ways to get your dog to drink water is to place a cup of fresh water near its favorite spots. This means you don’t have to constantly be on top of ensuring that your pup is drinking enough (which can be time-consuming). Let it know where the water is, and you’re good to go!
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Use treats as bribes:
If bribery isn’t working, try using treats instead. Many dogs love rewards for drinking, so offering one when they finish a glass of water will likely encourage them to drink more often! Make sure not to give your pup too many treats – they may become overeating due to being thirsty.
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Flavour the water:
One of the simplest ways to get your dog to drink water is by adding a little flavoring. Some popular options include apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, or mint tea. Just be sure to dilute the flavoring before giving it to your pup (and make sure they don’t overdo it!).
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Give ice cubes:
Another way to get your dog to drink water is by giving them ice cubes. Not only will this help reduce thirst, but it may also keep their food and drink colder longer (which can be appealing). Just be sure not to overload your pup with too many ice cubes – they’ll likely want to lick them all!
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Create a drinking game:
If bribery or flavoring aren’t working, try creating a drinking game with your pup. This will give them something else to focus on while trying to drink more water. Make sure the game isn’t too difficult – dogs tend to get bored if the challenge is too great!
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Water in food:
You can add water to your pup’s food to help them drink more. Just be sure not to overload them with too much water – they’ll likely want to lick it all up! This is also an excellent way for potty training puppies – make sure you follow their drinking schedule carefully!
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Veggies and fruits:
Water isn’t the only thing your pup needs to drink – they also need vegetables and fruits! Not only do these foods help keep them hydrated, but they may also contain essential vitamins and minerals. Be sure not to overdo it – veggies can have a strong flavor, so dilute them if needed.
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Use wet food:
If you’re struggling to get your pup to drink water on their own, try using wet food to help them hydrate. This type of food is high in water content, so it will likely be more appealing to them. Ensure they always have access to fresh drinking water – wet food doesn’t last long!
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Use a treat:
You can use a treat to get your pup to drink more water. Just be sure that the treat is small enough for them to eat but big enough to keep them interested – they’ll likely want more after eating an enormous treat! This is also a great way to help with potty training – ensure not to over-use it.
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Use a spout:
You can also use a spout to help your pup drink more water. This is a small, funnel-like device that attaches to the side of your pup’s bowl. Fill it with water and feed it to your dog – they’ll love being able to drink from their bowl!
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Change the bowl:
If your pup is drinking but isn’t getting enough, try changing their bowl. This can be a little more challenging – keep an extra water dish handy! Changing the bowl often will help ensure that your pup always has access to fresh water.
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Monitor their diet:
If you’re noticing that your pup isn’t drinking as much water as they should, it might be helpful to monitor their diet. If they are eating a lot of sugary foods or drink much soda, this could be contributing to their lack of hydration. Speak with your vet if you’re concerned – they may have some recommendations for adjusting your pup’s diet accordingly.
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Change the time of day:
If your pup isn’t drinking enough at night, try changing the time of day. Puppies drink more water at night because they wake up to go to the bathroom and want to ensure they’re fully hydrated before going back to sleep.
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Increase the water supply:
If you have a large pool or lake nearby, adding more water could help your pup drink more. Just be sure not to over-fill their bowl – they may try to drink from the neighboring bodies of water!
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Swimming:
Take your dog for swimming sessions to help them drink more water. This will also give them plenty of exercises and cool on hot summer days!
Bottom Line
Water is essential for our beloved pets, and while there are many things you can do to ensure that your pup is drinking enough, the above tricks will help you out immensely. Monitor their diet, change the time of day, or increase the water supply – whichever is easiest for you – and your pup will be well on its way to a healthy drink habit!
If you want to know more about dog caring please read my 18 key points about how to take care of a dog.
