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Once a puppy is weaned, a rough guide is about 33 to 65 ml of water per kg of body weight a day, with fresh water available throughout the day.
That figure comes from the American Kennel Club (AKC), which says older puppies that have been weaned generally need “between one half ounce and one ounce of water per pound of body weight per day”, and that on especially active days they may need more.
Very young puppies get their fluid from their mother’s milk. The AKC says that as they are weaned and start eating solid food, “they’ll need a fresh supply of water”.
This page is general information, not veterinary advice. If you are worried about how much your puppy is drinking, talk to your vet.
How Much Water Does A Puppy Need?
Using the AKC’s figure for weaned puppies, converted to metric and rounded:
| Puppy’s weight | Water per day (AKC guide) |
|---|---|
| 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) | about 80 to 160 ml |
| 5 kg (11 lb) | about 160 to 330 ml |
| 10 kg (22 lb) | about 330 to 650 ml |
| 20 kg (44 lb) | about 650 to 1,300 ml |
The AKC’s own example is a puppy of 20 pounds (about 9 kg), which needs between 10 and 20 ounces (about 300 to 600 ml) a day. For young puppies, it says they need “about one-half cup of water every two hours” (a US cup, so about 120 ml).
These are rough guides. The PDSA says how much a dog drinks varies with its size, overall health and activity level, so ask your vet what is normal for your puppy.
Water At Night And During House Training
The AKC suggests taking up your puppy’s water bowl at night, removing the food and water bowls “about two to three hours before bedtime”.
It warns not to take this too far by restricting water during the day: “Puppies are more prone to dehydration than adult dogs because of their greater need for water.” Even while house training, give your puppy their regular amount of water during the day.
The PDSA says never to restrict a dog’s water to control drinking or weeing more than usual, and to always allow access to fresh drinking water. If your puppy is very young, unwell or it is hot, ask your vet before taking water up at night.
If you are house training indoors, the listing for this artificial grass puppy pad describes a reusable turf pad of 20 x 25 inches (about 51 x 64 cm).
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link — Dog Fluffy may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.Signs Your Puppy May Be Dehydrated
The AKC, quoting its chief veterinary officer Dr Jerry Klein, lists these signs of dehydration: loss of skin elasticity, loss of appetite, vomiting (with or without diarrhoea), reduced energy and lethargy, panting, sunken, dry-looking eyes, a dry nose, dry, sticky gums and thick saliva.
It says that in a well-hydrated dog, skin that is gently lifted “instantly will spring back to its original position”, while the skin of a dehydrated dog takes longer to fall back. It also says that dry or sticky gums mean a puppy needs more water, and that in dehydrated dogs the capillary refill time (how fast a pressed gum turns pink again) “takes much longer”.
Causes the AKC lists include not drinking enough, vomiting, diarrhoea, heatstroke, illness and fever.
What To Do If You Think Your Puppy Is Dehydrated
The AKC says to first make sure your dog drinks fresh, cool water, that they may also need electrolyte replacement (check the dose with your vet), and that a vet can give fluids under the skin or into a vein. It calls dehydration with persistent vomiting a medical emergency.
If your puppy shows any of the signs above, call your vet straight away.
Is My Puppy Drinking Too Much?
PetMD calls excessive thirst polydipsia and says the main sign is a change from your dog’s normal routine, such as drinking much more than usual or needing to go out to wee more often. It notes that puppies may drink more than adult dogs because they are more active.
The PDSA lists medical causes of drinking and weeing more than usual, including diabetes, Cushing’s disease, kidney disease, liver disease, bladder or urinary problems and pyometra (an infected womb), and says some medicines, such as steroids, can increase thirst. Its advice: “Always contact your vet if you think your dog is drinking or peeing more than normal.”
Drinking too much at once can also be dangerous. The AKC says overhydration, also called water intoxication, can be as dangerous as dehydration. If you are worried, contact your vet.
Keeping Your Puppy Hydrated
The AKC says to “provide them with a constant supply of clean, clear water at all times, including when you take them outside”, and that dogs may need more water on some days than others, depending on the weather.
For walks and trips, see our guides to travel water bottles for dogs and automatic water bowls.
