How much water does your dog need per day?
The standard veterinary guideline is 50–60 ml of water per kg of body weight per day from all sources (food and drinking water combined). However, actual needs vary based on diet, activity, weather, and life stage.
Dogs on dry kibble get very little moisture from their food (<10%) and need to drink most of their water from a bowl. Dogs on wet food get 70–85% of their water from food, so they drink much less. Raw-fed dogs typically fall in between.
The base guideline is 50–60 ml/kg/day total water intake. For a 10 kg dog: 500–600 ml total per day. For a 20 kg dog: 1,000–1,200 ml. For a 30 kg dog: 1,500–1,800 ml. If your dog eats dry food, most of this comes from their water bowl. If they eat wet food, a significant portion comes from food. Dogs should always have access to fresh, clean water — never restrict water unless specifically instructed by a vet.
Check your dog's gums — they should be moist, pink, and slippery. Dry or tacky gums are an early sign of dehydration. The skin tent test: gently pinch the skin at the scruff of the neck between two fingers, then release. In a well-hydrated dog, the skin springs back immediately. If it stays tented for more than 2 seconds, the dog is mildly to moderately dehydrated. Other signs: sunken or dull eyes, lethargy, decreased urination, loss of appetite, and dark yellow urine. Dehydration over 10% of body fluid loss is a life-threatening emergency — take your dog to a vet immediately.
Sudden or significant increases in water intake (polydipsia, defined as drinking >100 ml/kg/day) are a red flag for several conditions: diabetes mellitus, Cushing's disease (hyperadrenocorticism), chronic kidney disease, liver disease, urinary tract infection, hypercalcaemia, or certain medications (like prednisone). If you notice your dog drinking noticeably more than usual for more than a day or two, book a vet visit. A urine sample and basic blood panel are usually the first tests recommended.
Yes — water intoxication (hyponatraemia) occurs when dogs drink or swallow very large volumes of water quickly, diluting sodium levels in the blood. This is most common in dogs playing fetch in water, swimming with their mouth open, or drinking from a garden hose. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, lethargy, staggering, bloated appearance, and in severe cases, seizures and death. Moderate water play is fine — limit sessions and watch for early signs. Compulsive water-seeking behaviour should be investigated by a vet.
Significantly less. A 400g can of wet food contains approximately 300–340 ml of water. For a 10 kg adult dog needing 500–600 ml of total water, eating wet food could supply 60–70% of their water needs from food alone. This is why dogs on wet-only diets often appear to drink very little — they're simply getting water from their food. This is beneficial for urinary tract health and kidney function, particularly in cats and dogs prone to urinary crystals.