A good rule of thumb: Make sure your dog gets at least 1 ounce of water daily for each pound he weighs. That means a 20-pound dog needs at least 20 ounces of water every day. To help you keep track of how much water your dog drinks, make a note of how high you fill his water bowl and how far the level has dropped the next day.
Clean the bowl daily. Refill often so the water supply stays fresh.
Symptoms of dehydration include:
- Little energy
- No interest in eating
- Sunken eyes
- Dry mouth
You can use these two ways to quickly check your dog for dehydration, too. If the response isn’t normal, it’s a sign of possible dehydration:
Lift the skin on the back of your dog’s neck or between the shoulders. It should sink back to its normal place right away.
Gently press on your dog’s gums until the pressure creates a light spot. The normal color should come back right away when you remove your finger.
If you think your dog might be dehydrated, take him to the vet right away.