Why is my dog not drinking water?

Being a happy, healthy and active pup is thirsty work, so it’s vital to ensure that your dog is getting enough water. Water is essential for a dog’s core body processes, from enabling digestion, blood circulation and waste removal, to supporting a healthy metabolism and ensuring good temperature regulation.

If you’ve spotted your dog not drinking water or drinking less than usual, here are some of the possible reasons why – and top tips to keep them hydrated. 

The amount of water your dog needs depends on factors such as their breed, size, activity levels, the ambient temperature and even their daily diet. 

As a rule of thumb, dogs should drink around 40–60ml of water per kilogram of body weight a day. Smaller dogs such as Pugs or Yorkshire Terriers that weigh around 6kg should be drinking around 300ml of water a day, while bigger dogs such as Labradors that weigh 30kg or more should be drinking at least 1,500ml. 

If you’re worried about a change to your dog’s drinking habits, it’s always best to consult your vet – and if your dog won’t drink water at all, seek help straight away. Similarly, you should book a veterinary appointment if your dog is drinking more water than usual.

There are a variety of reasons why dogs stop drinking water. Below are some of the most common.

In summer, hotter weather can make your dog much more thirsty, while colder temperatures in winter have the opposite effect. Your dog is also likely to drink less when they’re less active, so always make sure they’re getting a healthy amount of exercise for their breed, age and fitness level.

Other external changes to a dog’s environment can also cause stress and anxiety, making them want to drink less. This could follow an unsettling change in routine, such as a house move or new pet, or could be caused by separation anxiety if they’re seeing less of their favourite person or people. 

If your dog has had a bad experience while drinking from their water bowl – such as someone stepping on their paw, or being chased away by another dog – they may become fearful of repeating the experience. 

Always pay attention to signs of stress in your dog, and consider adjusting their routine to help relieve any anxieties they might be feeling.

Some dogs are naturally inclined to drink less than others or are pickier about the water they drink. Things we might not even notice, such as noise or smells around their water bowl, may also deter them from drinking. These dogs may benefit from a little encouragement – see below for some tips on keeping your dog hydrated.

Even a mild stomach upset or eating something they shouldn’t can be enough to put your dog off drinking water.

Poisoning from foods such as chocolate, grapes, onions and other unlikely culprits such as garden products, frogs and toads can also cause a decreased appetite and thirst. Look out for other general symptoms such as tiredness, foaming at the mouth, twitching and shaking, sickness and diarrhoea.

Much like humans, dogs can have favourite meals. If they’ve got used to a particular diet, swapping out this food can cause them to go off their water. 

Wetter food also has a higher moisture content, which may naturally reduce how much your dog drinks from their bowl. This isn’t usually a cause for concern if they’re still getting enough fluid from their food, but it’s important to monitor their overall appetite and behaviour to rule out any underlying health issues.

While excessive thirst is more typical in older age – as some older animals can develop kidney and hormonal issues – occasionally, older dogs reduce their water intake. This could be caused by something as harmless as less activity, but could also be a sign of underlying health issues. 

If your dog is tired, sore or arthritic, they may not want to exert themselves to make the trip to their water bowl. Cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) – ‘doggy dementia’ – can also make dogs forgetful of their usual habits and routines. 

As with any behaviour change in older dogs, it’s wise to discuss an alteration in drinking habits with your vet.

Reduced thirst does not always equal a reduced appetite, so it’s possible to find a dog eating but not drinking water.  

If this is the case, it’s important to make sure that your dog is not dehydrated. Speak to your vet immediately if your dog is not drinking at all, as it may be that a medical issue is triggering this behaviour.

There are various medical causes for a dog not drinking water. If your dog is not eating or drinking, it’s important to observe them closely for other symptoms such as lethargy, abnormal movements, vomiting, diarrhoea or toileting problems, and seek vet advice without delay.

If you have dog insurance with Petplan, you can access Pet Expert Chat by logging into your My Petplan account and speaking with someone about any health concerns.

If your dog is not eating or drinking but still seems hungry and thirsty, it may be that they’re experiencing pain or soreness in their mouth or throat. This could mean a dental issue such as gum disease or a tooth abscess; mouth cancer, or an injury to their throat or jaw. Again, it’s best to observe their symptoms closely and get them checked out by your vet.

Dogs who suffer from joint or muscle pain, or those who are older, may find it harder to get to their water bowls, meaning they drink less. Any pain, including that felt directly in their mouths and throat or those caused by the discomfort of a bladder infection, may also affect their usual habits and appetite.

If a dog is already dehydrated, this can consequently cause them to be less thirsty, creating a vicious cycle. Signs of dehydration in dogs include lethargy, dry or dull sunken eyes, dry and sticky gums, thick saliva, increased panting and loss of usual skin elasticity.

To check if your dog is dehydrated, try gently pinching and lifting a little of the skin on the back of their neck. The skin should spring back into place more or less immediately, but in a dehydrated dog, this will take longer than usual. (Though if you have a particularly loose-skinned, wrinkly breed, such as a Neapolitan Mastiff, this test may not be effective.)

Gently pressing a finger against your dog’s gums and seeing whether it returns to its normal shade of pink almost straight away – or whether it takes a longer time – can also be a good test.

If you’re worried your dog is dehydrated, seek your vet’s advice – while making sure they have access to fresh water. 

Any health condition that makes your dog feel sick and puts them off their food could also deter them from drinking. This includes things such as bladder infections, bacterial or viral infections and advanced kidney disease. Look out for other signs such as urination in unusual places or more frequent urination and loss of appetite. To get rid of any infection your dog may be facing, it’s important to see a vet. 

Some neurological diseases can also affect your dog’s thirst levels. The most well-known is rabies – and while thankfully this deadly disease has been eliminated from the UK pet population, your dog will need to be vaccinated against it if travelling abroad.

While increased thirst in dogs is a common warning sign of diabetes, it can also make them less thirsty. Keep an eye out for other signs such as vomiting, dehydration, lethargy and weight loss, and speak to your vet if you are concerned.

If your vet has ruled out any underlying health issues but your dog won’t drink water, these handy tips can help you to keep your pup hydrated.

You wouldn’t want to drink water that’s less than fresh, so make sure your dog doesn’t have to, either. Change the water in your dog’s bowls regularly and clean them thoroughly with hot water and antibacterial soap to avoid harmful bacteria breeding and causing a tummy upset. 

Dogs can also taste different kinds of water and detect when water smells less than fresh or has been contaminated. If your dog isn’t drinking, it may be that they prefer a different source to the one provided or are aware the water source has changed. Instead of providing tap water (which has a high chlorine content), try mixing tap water with filtered water. 

If you’ve moved house or gone on holiday, the water may taste different to your dog. Try mixing it with filtered or bottled water at first and phasing in the new taste gradually, so they have time to get used to it.

Having multiple water bowls around your home for your dog can encourage them to drink. Try placing a single bowl near the entrance of the rooms your dog spends most time in, and aim for at least one water bowl on each level of your home – especially around spaces they associate with food and play. 

Switching to an elevated bowl can also help dogs with mobility issues. However, if your dog is a breed prone to bloat, be aware that raised bowls are thought to increase the risk.

If your dog has any negative associations with their current drinking location, place the bowl in a new location where they can drink undisturbed. And if you’ve got more than one dog, it could be that one of them is resource-guarding water and deterring the other(s) from drinking. If so, you’ll need to feed and water them separately, and address the resource-guarding issues.

Putting ice cubes or crushed ice in your dog’s water is a quick and easy treat for them on a hot summer’s day. To make things even more tempting, try adding bits of food, such as salmon, lean chicken or tuna.

If you’re worried about a change to your dog’s drinking habits, it’s best to consult your vet. Seek help straight away if your dog won’t drink water at all.