Water is a dog’s primary necessity, as it is in humans. It’s recommended that dogs drink one ounce per pound of their body weight to ensure they are hydrated daily. However, this number usually doubles during the summer or after a rigorous exercise. Dehydration is common in dogs because their only sweat glands are on their paws, which are never enough to cool them off.
The greatest contributing factor to the dogs’ increased risk of dehydration is their inability to cool their body quickly enough like humans. Water is a necessary factor that can keep your dog healthy and cool. So why do dogs refuse to drink water sometimes? Let’s get going.
Potential Factors Why Dogs Refuse to Drink Water
If you’ve been getting worried about your dog suddenly drinking water less or not at all daily, several factors may be causing it. Water is a cornerstone of dogs’ health, and a sudden change in their standard drinking patterns may indicate various problems. Dogs need water to keep themselves hydrated. So if you notice your furry companion refusing to drink water, below are five contributing factors that might be the one to blame.
1. Change in weather
Your dog may refuse to drink enough water due to weather changes. When the fall season occurs, most dogs will have less water intake, which usually seems alarming to the pet parents. When your dog isn’t drinking as much water during fall, your dog may not be really thirsty due to the cooler temperatures. And because of inactivity, dogs may not be very interested in drinking water when they reach their bowl. This is normal if your dog doesn’t stop drinking water totally.
2. Unfamiliar places
Places and smells unfamiliar to your furry companion can affect their drinking habit. Due to their accurate senses and strong smell, they know how to identify familiar and unfamiliar water sources. If the smell of the water you’re giving to your dog is not recognized as familiar, expect that they would refuse to drink it.
So if you’re planning to go on a trip or short vacation with your dog, ensure that you bring a bottle of water from home to keep them hydrated and ease your worries.
3. Mouth injury and oral disease
Oral injuries and infections can be the culprits behind your dog’s lack of interest in drinking water. Dogs that suffer from tooth and jaw dislocation, tooth root abscess, gum disease, loss, and fracture, could be giving them pain or discomfort when drinking. Bad breath is also the number one indicator of oral disease, so ensure that you bring your pet to the vet or dentist should you smell their foul-smelling breath.
4. Negative experiences and fear
When dogs experience fear or pain, they associate their negative emotions with what they experience. If something terrible happens when your dog drinks water, it may avoid drinking. Situations like when their tail was accidentally stepped on, or insects and ants have bitten their tongue could give them fears and traumatizing experiences about drinking water.
Buy your dog a new water bowl and try placing it in a different place to alleviate their fear
5. Health problems
Did you know numerous health issues can disrupt your pet’s drinking habit? One prominent example of this is urinary tract infections or bladder infections. Moreover, this may indicate kidney or diabetes. If you notice lethargy, lack of thirst, and appetite in your dog’s behavior, this may hint that something is wrong. Always call your local veterinarian when your dog acts differently and needs professional attention.
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