[GuyCr]

Hello Everyone,

I have a problem with my 7 month old 'Staffy', whilst he tends to eat okay He doesn't seem to be drinking knowhere near enough water less than a 1/4 of a bowl a day, is there maybe something else that I can try? or is this normal? Your advise would be greatly appreciated.

Kind regards,
Guy

 

[gazar]

How big is the bowl?
I have four adult dogs (2 med. & 2 large) and they will drink
a gallon of water a day between them.

 

[GuyCr]

The bowl takes about 1/2 pint of water to fill it and he's literally taking a couple of 'licks' out of it a day.

 

[augrad]

What kind of food is he eating?

 

[GuyCr]

Canned food Pedigree chum etc. He wont go for the complete food.

 

[augrad]

Canned food is like 80% water (I think that's what I read). He's getting a lot of water from that. Will he chomp on ice cubes - that may be a way to get more water in him, if you're worried he's getting dehydrated.

If you're considering changing his diet at any point, check out the food thread at the top of the health & exercise thread. There's lots of good info there.

 

[yeovil red]

Maybe your tap water tastes funny,do they put alot of Flouride in it in Ireland?

Does he drink from other places?

Both mine tend to jump in our local stream on the way home from walkies or pick horrible looking muddy puddles over the park rather than drink from their water bowls

 

[GuyCr]

I have heard there is a bit of flouride in the water over here, but that said it does taste (to me anyway!) okay (They make bottled Ballygowan water in this town) also the lad that lives next door to me has a labrador retriever and he drinks gallons of water. The weather is stifling over here at the moment and I am getting quite concerned for him I've taken to splashing the water up at his face, still no joy. Would it be advisable to add a little diluted fruit juice to his water? or is there something else that I can try? many thanks again for your advice.

Guy

 

[gazar]

When I was having a problem with my cat not drinking enough water, the vet told me to put a little salt on her food to encourage her to drink more water. You might also try mixing some dry food with his wet food and let it soften before giving it to him to eat. Dry food makes them more thirsty which may be why the Lab drinks so much water. Another thought, is try diluting his canned food with water and see if he will lap it up. Good luck.

 

[smart]

My veterinarian say that a dog must drink 100 millilitre per 10 kilogram (22 lbs)....
You can soak food in water, than your dog get aditional fluid!

 

[GuyCr]

Thanks for all the tips, will try them.

Guy.

 

[Hoss]

You can also try some chicken or beef stock, or maybe a little low sugar, natural fruit juice in the water.