Why won t my dog drink out of a stainless steel bowl
Why Wont My Dog Drink Water?
This post may contain affiliate links. We may be compensated if you purchase after clicking a link.
Cant figure out why your dog wont drink water? Dont worry yet. Here are the most common reasons a dog wont drink, ranging from simple to severe.
It can be frustrating when your dog is either drinking less than normal or not drinking at all.
Dehydration is very dangerous for dogs. It disrupts the bodys natural processes, including circulation, digestion, and excretion of waste. Insufficient hydration can quickly become a serious problem for your dogs health.
On average, dogs should be consuming about one ounce of water per pound of body weight each day, but this depends on the size of your dog, weather and exercise too.
Is your dog not getting that amount, either because theyre drinking too little or not at all? Lets look at some possible reasons and what you can do about them.
Your Dog Is Just Drinking Less Than You Expect
If your dog is drinking but youre not sure hes getting enough, it may be he just needs less water at the moment.
A variety of factors affect your dogs fluid needs. If theyve been exercising less or the weather has cooled, they may not need as much water anymore. If youve switched from kibble to a wet food, your dog is getting a larger portion of their fluid from their food, so they dont need to drink as much.
You could also be underestimating the amount your dog is drinking. Try to monitor your dogs fluid intake by keeping track of the difference in the amount of water in their bowl after you fill it and before you refill it. However, you should keep in mind that food is also a source of hydration for dogs, particularly if they are eating wet foods, so this isnt always an accurate method.
Its also important to watch for signs of dehydration such as:
- Lethargy
- Dry gyms and nose
- Panting and other symptoms of overheating
- Changes in temperament
- Loss of skin elasticity
- Sunken eyes (this is a late-stage sign that typically only appears when the dog is 8% or more dehydrated)
- Weakness or collapse (this is a sign of severe dehydration that typically occurs when the dog is 10% or more dehydrated)
If your dog shows signs of dehydration or their fluid intake is unusually low, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Your Dog Doesnt Like Something About the Bowl
Some dogs are picky about the bowl they drink out of.
For example, a friends dog refused to drink out of the stainless steel bowl, but would gulp water from a plastic storage container or plastic water bowl at my home. The reason? He didnt like when the metal tags on his collar hit the metal bowl while he drank.
Another dog I know wont drink out of a bowl if his whiskers touch the edges.
The key is to work out the problem and fix it which can sometimes be a guessing game.
If you keep the bowl on a stand, for example, the height may be uncomfortable for your dog. And if your dog has to stand near something else when drinking, such as a door or bin, this may put him off.
Alternatively, the location could be the problem. Your dog may not like having to leave the family to go get water, or may think the location of their bowl is too heavily trafficked. If your dog is older or injured, they may have difficulty getting to their bowls.
Try putting out a few different sizes and styles of bowls around your home and see which one your dog gravitates towards. You should also leave water bowls in a few places permanently, rather than just one, so your dog can always access a drink. Water fountains can also be more appealing to some dogs.
He Doesnt Like Something About the Water
The problem could also be the water itself.
When was the last time you cleaned your dogs bowl or completely changed their water? If its been longer than youd like to admit, your dog may just not want to drink the dirty water.
Make sure youre washing your dogs bowl with hot, soapy water every day and disinfecting it with water and (heavily diluted) bleach once a week.
If the weather is hot, especially if your dog is outside, they may want colder water. Drop a couple of ice cubes in the bowl every so often, especially after taking the dog outside.
While more commonly an issue in the cats I treat, some dogs dislike the chemical smell and taste of tap water, says Dr Linda Simon. These dogs may prefer freshly caught rainwater or bottled water (though this can quickly become an expensive habit!) Filtered water may also be more palatable to these dogs.
Your Dog Is Suffering With A Disrupted Routine
If your dog is in a new environment, like if youve moved to a new home or taken them on vacation, they may drink less than normal. The same can happen if things in their environment are unusual, like if youre having house guests or have changed your routine.
They could be anxious, but they could also just be distracted or getting acclimated to the new changes.
Take some time out with your dog in a less distracting environment, pet them and talk to them soothingly to get them to relax, and try to get them to drink. If they still wont drink, try tempting them with broth or a frozen treat. Give them wet food or add water to their food when you feed them so theyre getting some fluids when they eat.
Your Dog Isnt Feeling Well
Finally, your dog could be feeling sick.
Dont panic. That doesnt necessarily mean theres something seriously wrong. You know those days where you just feel under the weather? Dogs have those too.
Other minor issues that can cause your dog to not drink include things like motion sickness or a mild side effect of a medication or vaccination.
Oral health problems like a sore in the mouth or damaged tooth can make drinking, especially cooler water, uncomfortable.
Gastrointestinal or kidney issues, ranging from simple indigestion to more serious illnesses, may also dampen a dogs thirst.
Whatever the reason, if your dog isnt drinking then you should visit a vet as soon as possible even if you think its probably a minor problem. Dehydration can set in quickly and lead to serious health problems.
Summary
There are a variety of reasons that dogs may be disinclined to drink, ranging from mild to severe. However, if the cause isnt identified and responded to quickly, not drinking can quickly lead to major issues even if the underlying cause is relatively benign.
If you cant get your dog to drink by changing the type and location of the bowl, your dog goes more than a day without drinking, or if your dog shows signs of dehydration, have your vet check them out as soon as possible.
Still have questions about why your dog wont drink? Know of another reasons a dog may not drink? Or have another tip? Share with us in the comments!
Why Wont My Dog Drink Water Out of His Bowl?
If your dog is refusing to drink water from his bowl, or when youre out on a walk, then he could become dehydrated and quickly unwell. In some instances, where a dog that regularly wont drink water, the consequences can turn life-threatening.
Ive researched and compiled the best results possible that explain why your dog wont drink water, whether thats from a bowl, when your away from the home, or when inside.
Why wont my dog drink water?
Drinking water is an instinct and natural behavior for dogs. Therefore, a dog that refuses to drink water is often a sign of an underlying problem or issue.
First and foremost, you must visit the vet if you are unable to get them to drink over 24 hours, or if you suspect there is something amiss with their health.
In the meantime, here are the most likely reasons why your dog wont drink water at the moment.
1. Dog wont drink water due to a mouth injury or dental issue
For most dogs, a mouth injury will cause them to refuse and not drink water. Dogs love picking up and chewing on sticks, chew toys, and other rough items, as all dog owners are aware.
Unfortunately, these objects will sometimes break or splinter causing injuries in or around the mouth area resulting in severe pain for the affected canine.
In most cases, dogs will also refuse food and a speedy visit to the vet is necessary for them to return to their normal drinking and eating habits
Similarly, in older dogs, chewing over numerous years can cause dental issues that are equally as painful meaning they hurt when trying to drink water. Heres how to recognize tooth ache in your dog, as they wont be able to tell you.
When left for a long time, these issues can quickly turn serious, resulting in infected gums or broken teeth. If you suspect that your dog is having trouble drinking due to this, take them to the vet immediately.
It is not uncommon for dogs to refuse to drink until they are severely dehydrated because of dental problems.
2. Dog wont drink water due to a change in taste
Additionally, dogs are smart creatures, and will often detect even the smallest change to their water source. At times, when your dog is refusing to drink water, it can signify that they are unnerved by your choice to swap out their usual source of water with a different one.
If your dog suddenly wont drink water inside, but will outside, this could be reason. Now, you dont want them to revert to drinking rainwater, as this can make them ill.
Often, this happens when you are forced to give them tap instead of bottled water, distilled water (bad idea), or when traveling elsewhere in the country and having limited options.
Thankfully, with some encouragement, most dogs will eventually give in and drink when fatigued. If push comes to shove, you can try mixing in some of the old water with the new water to see whether this entices them to drink.
3. Dog wont drink water due to a health issue
In some instances, diseases can also affect the amount that dogs will drink. For example, kidney disease commonly causes nausea as it progresses, resulting in affected dogs refusing to touch their food and water.
Similarly, diseases that cause inflammation in the intestines, like gastroenteritis and pancreatitis, can also cause symptoms of nausea in canines.
Often, these diseases will be accompanied by other signs, such as vomiting and diarrhea and your dog wont drink water from his bowl perhaps due to weakness or nausea.
Therefore, it is important to take your pooch to the vet if you notice this, as dogs can become dangerously dehydrated when exhibiting these symptoms.
4. Dog wont drink water due to anxiety
Nervous dogs that are prone to anxiety, can refuse to drink when they feel uncomfortable or fearful. If you own a dog similar to this, try finding out what is making them feel uncomfortable and take the necessary steps to reduce their stress.
For example, it is common for dogs to become nervous around other dogs while eating or drinking. If you suspect this is the case, move the competing dogs or provide additional water bowls around the house for your nervous pooch.
It is also a good idea to move the bowl to a quiet place away from any areas where there are loud or unfamiliar noises, as dogs can develop negative associations with areas such as these in the home.
Its not uncommon to have two dogs in the home, one of which is more dominant. One of the pair can even urinate near or on water bowls for fear or dominance reasons. This will mean the other dog can stop drinking water from the bowl as a result.
5. Dog wont drink from a water bowl in public for territorial reasons
And similarly, to the last point, do you have a dog that wont drink from water bowls in public? Mine does this, and Ive always put it down to him sensing that other dogs have been drinking from it.
It makes sense, that if nervous, the dog might not want to drink from the outdoors water bowl if he thinks it belongs to another dog and doesnt want confrontation.
Why a refusal to drink water can be risky
To make matters worse, this behavior is especially risky for younger dogs or those with health issues. Therefore, dealing with a pooch who refuses to drink from its water bowl thats topped up all day, be it a puppy or an older dog, is often a frustrating and worrying experience for dog owners.
However, gaining a proper understanding of why dogs exhibit this behavior can help us to better deal with this problem.
In addition to this, by learning to recognize the symptoms of dehydration can allow us to address the situation before our dog becomes severely ill. Heres what to look out for:
The symptoms of dehydration in dogs
One of the most reliable ways you can do this is by testing the elasticity of your poochs skin. If you suspect your dog is dehydrated, gently pull on their skin and check to see if it returns to its original position quickly.
If the skin stays where it is or takes a long time to return to normal, then your canine friend is likely suffering from dehydration.
Another symptom of dehydration worth checking for is Xerostomia. This condition causes dogs gums to become dry and sticky and their saliva to thicken, eventually resembling a paste.
Heres why you should not let your dogs mouth get dry according to the experts at PetMD.com.
Drool its one of the less desirable aspects of pet ownership, right? But in reality, saliva plays a number of vital roles. It moisturizes food, making it easier to swallow, is essential to oral comfort, and helps prevent dental disease and infection within the mouth. Thats why dry mouth (xerostomia) in pets can be so devastating. (view source)
You can check for it by pressing your finger lightly against your dogs gums and then remove it.
If hydrated properly, their gums will briefly turn white and then return to their normal pink hue within seconds. In dehydrated dogs, this process takes much longer, sometimes up to a minute or more.
How important is water for dogs?
Dogs need to drink water regularly to stay healthy and fit. The reality is, thats its the only drink dogs need as Ive researched previously.
When compared to us, dogs are at a greater risk of becoming dehydrated due to the way their bodies function. For example, unlike humans, dogs cannot sweat effectively and instead release heat through vigorous panting.
Additionally, it is worth mentioning that dogs do have sweat glands, contrary to popular belief. However, these glands are located in the paws and are essentially useless when it comes to lowering a dogs temperature.
Therefore, your dog must drink regularly throughout the day, especially during warm bouts of weather.
How much water does a dog need to drink daily?
Before panicking when your dog refuses to drink and wont take water from the bowl, you should understand the amount of water they need to remain healthy.
Firstly, it is important to note that nearly all dogs forget to drink water from time to time. Although there are recommendations on how much water dogs should drink a day, most canines regularly consume less water without experiencing any issues.
For example, this is normal behavior for older dogs, who are usually less active than their younger counterparts.
Likewise, if your dog has been at home all day, or if he is poorly or nursing an injury, he will probably drink less water than a dog who has been out for rigorous exercise.
Therefore, there is no need to force them to drink if this is the case. Despite this, you should make sure that you are aware of how much they are drinking overall. Less active dogs can still fall prey to dehydration, especially if they forget to drink or have trouble getting to their water bowl.
When it comes to the amount of water recommended for canines to drink, it can vary depending on the poochs size, diet, and level of exercise.
Thankfully, there is one rule to follow that enables you to determine this easier. In general, most dogs need around an ounce of fluids per pound of their body weight daily to stay healthy, with puppies and extremely active canines needing a little more on average.
Visualizing this, it would mean that a 10-pound dog needs just over one cup of water per day so if they are not drinking water at that volume, perhaps talk to your vet.
Conclusion
Similar to humans, dogs need to drink plenty of water to stay healthy, and in most instances that is exactly what canines do. For most dogs, drinking water is completely normal, and they will seek out a water source on their own, especially after a long or tiring walk.
However, it is not all that uncommon for dogs to refuse to drink water, and this can, unfortunately, lead to dehydration.
If you are worried, please call a vet.
After all, if your dog wont drink from the water bowl, and it becomes a regular occurrence, its a significant problem.
