Water for Fido

Water for Fido is the most important of all the nutrients recommended for a healthy dog, because water is necessary for almost every function a dog's body performs.

On any day, if fresh water is not present, the average domesticated dog becomes dehydrated in a few short hours. In fact, a dog can loose all of its fat and half of its protein and survive — but if a dog looses just 10% of his or her body water — it causes serious illness. Puppies need more water than adult dogs, because water constitutes 84% of a puppy and 60% of an adult dog.

How Much Water Does a Dog Need?
A general rule of thumb is that a dog needs to consume 2.5 times more water than the total amount of food. In other words, if a dog eats 2 lbs. of dry food, it should consume 5 lbs. of water. (There are 8 lbs. in a gallon.) Another scale is that if your dog eats 4 oz. of dry food, he should drink a minimum of 10 ounces of water (1¼ cup). Remember, that's just the minimum.

Our Bailey is a Labrador Retriever and used to weigh 134 lbs. His Vet has him on a restricted diet to control his weight and ward off disease from obesity. He now weighs 110 lbs. and gobbles up two cups of dry food, one cup in the morning and one for dinner, plus his snacks and treats. I notice that his 3-cup water bowl empties out a minimum of four times a day. We don't fill it full to avoid the slosh factor.

Just following his own habit of drinking water, he drinks a minimum of 8 cups of water -- more water than the minimum. In fact, he gets all the water he wants to drink. I don't wait for his water bowl to be empty: I fill it up whenever I see it low.

Quality of Water for Fido
Most pet owners know that not all water is clean: Sometimes water is dirty or polluted. You don't want your dog drinking out of the toilet bowl or from a puddle outside. Considering the quantity and importance of water consumed in Fido's lifetime, it is important that you provide your dog with the best possible water quality.

Household tap water is considered to be safe, though just as with people, water that is high in nitrates, iron, or magnesium can pose long term health risks. Many pet owners give their dogs bottled water or filtered water.

Clean Water Bowl
Keep in mind that the finest water in the world is not good if it is placed in a dirty container. Unwashed water bowls can harbor all kinds of bad organisms.

Water bowls should be washed daily and disinfected periodically. Stainless steel bowls are the easiest to keep clean and resist scratches that can harbor bacteria.

Stoneware crock-style dishes are also a good option. Buy a good quality bowl, but once it starts to look worn and scratched, replace it.

BTW: When a dog does not feel good they stop drinking: Watch for this sign.

Here are two tips to keep in mind when providing ample water for your dog: 

1. Every time you turn on the tap for a drink of water do not forget to give your dog a drink. Fido is thirsty, too.

2. If you would not drink the water from your pet’s bowl, then neither should your pet.

Water for Fido is the basis for life. Give your dog ample water of the highest quality.