Staying hydrated as a human is a struggle. 

Having a water bottle which keeps the water cold makes drinking water a little bit easier.

But, your dog does not have the luxury of carrying around a fancy water bottle because of the whole not having opposable thumbs and not having arms with elbows issue. 

For this reason, dogs have to rely on their humans to keep them hydrated. As their humans, it is our job to ensure we are giving our dogs the proper amount of water. 

This begs the question of “How much water should you give your dog?”

First of all, similar to humans, the answer is not one size fits all. This answer depends on multiple factors such as the weight of your dog, the amount of exercise your dog gets, and the climate your dog lives in.

A general rule for the weight of your dog to the amount of water needed. According to Fetch by WebMD, your dog needs one ounce of water to the amount of pounds your dog weighs. For example, if your dog is forty pounds, your dog needs forty ounces of water throughout the entire day. This is equal to five cups a day. Of course, your dog most likely will not drink this amount of water throughout the day similar to how you do not always drink the exact amount of water you need throughout the day. Do not force your dog to drink the amount of water as your dog will drink the amount of water him or her does need, but make sure this amount of water is available to them. 

Obviously, if your dog exercises a lot, they will need more water. If you take your dog on frequents, walks, runs, or hikes, your dog will want and most likely need more than the recommended amount of water per day recommended from their height because they are active. When exercising, your dog will deplete the amount of water in their system because they are using it for energy. For this reason, your dog will need more water. There is not a specific amount of water to say your dog needs because it depends on HOW active they are on a day to day basis, but if they are active, ensure you are making water available to them. Your dog will drink what his or her body needs. 

When your dog lives in a warmer climate, they will need more water than a dog that does not live in a warmer climate. Your dog needs more water when in a hotter climate because, as humans do, dogs use water for energy and to regulate body temperature. In a warm place with high temperatures, your dog is using up more water in their body to regulate their body temperature, so they need more water to keep their body properly functioning. Again, there is not a specific amount of water your body needs on a hot day, because it depends on the specific temperature and how much your dog’s body needs. On a hot day, keep your dog’s bowl filled with water and your dog will drink the amount they need. 

Your dog does need a specific amount of water, but there is not a magic formula to say how much because of the varying day to day factors. 

Give your dog access to plenty of water and they will take what they need.

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