They become worried, but fear not, this is normal as your pet is now just getting some of their required hydration from their new diet. Raw food diets as opposed to kibble has a lot higher moisture and water content then kibble. So in simple terms, not only is your dog eating a healthy balanced diet, they are also hydrating themselves at the same time!
Lots of owners who switch their pet to a raw food diet from dry dog food (kibble) notice immediately that their pet is drinking far less water than they used to.
Making Sure My Dogs Drink Enough Water
Our dogs do a great job of drinking enough water to keep themselves hydrated. The only time I have trouble with them is during the summer when theyre more focused on playing (or exploring) than drinking water. On hot days, I add more water to their meal to make sure they stay hydrated.
We have ponds on our property as well as a creek that are filled with fresh water. But Im nervous about our dogs drinking from them, because of any potential bacteria. We never did figure out what made Scout sick last year.
I tried placing water dishes outside, around the property, but theyre difficult to keep filled, to keep clean, and to keep upright (the dogs always tip them over). At SuperZoo, I saw several outdoor water fountains and considered buying a few until I saw the price tag. Lucky for us, we received a product called The Hydro Pet Automatic Pet Water Bowl to try with our dogs in exchange for our honest thoughts.
How Much Water Should a Raw Fed Dog Drink
According to Dr. Karen Becker, “a healthy dog should drink between ½ and 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. So a healthy 65-pound Labrador Retriever should be drinking between about 33 and 65 ounces, or about ¼ to ½ gallon of water daily.”
From personal experience, I know that my dogs dont always drink when they should and we have to prompt them to drink water, interrupting play to make sure they remain hydrated. A dog that doesnt drink enough water has a risk of dehydration and urinary stones. Drinking too much water can be dangerous too.
And a dogs drinking habits can signify a health issue, so dont be afraid to contact your veterinarian if you think your dog isnt drinking enough water or is drinking too much water.
| Drinking Too Much Water | Not Drinking Enough Water |
| Dehydration | Nausea |
| Liver Disease | Pancreatites |
| Diabetes | Parvovirus |
| Cushings Disease | Leptospirosis |
| Diarrhea | |
| Fever | |
| Infection | |
| Kidney Disease | |
| Bladder Infection | |
| Cancer |
I cant remember our dogs water drinking habits pre-raw, but I can tell you they dont drink a lot of water from their dish because they get plenty in their diet.
Why does my raw fed dog drink less water and is it ok?
Responsible pet owners will spend a lot of time research the best food and proportions for their dogs, but have you ever wondered how much water they should be drinking? Dogs are messy drinkers and don’t always drink on a regular schedule making it hard to know just how much water they’re getting. Here’s what you need to know about keeping your dog hydrated.
On average, most dogs need about an ounce of fluid per pound of body weight in a day. So a 10-pound dog would need a little over a cup a day, while at 75 lbs would need a little over 9 cups of water a day.
However, there are tons of factors that also determine how much water your pup should be drinking. Dogs on raw diets tend to need less water, while active and lactating dogs need more. Puppies also tend to drink more water than adults.
Just as with humans, dogs can get thirsty for a few different reasons. Weather is a big factor. When it is hot, dogs tend to drink more to cool down, so you may notice your dog drinking more during the summer months. The activity level is another big factor. Just as we drink more water when exercising, dogs will as well. Always make sure you provide fresh, clean water when exercising your dog especially in the heat.
Diet is another factor. Traditional kibble is dry and will require your dogs to hydrate more. Raw diets contain more moisture, so your dog won’t need as much water to stay hydrated and digest it properly. Other thirst factors include illness, lactation, age, and medications.
It’s important to provide your dog with clean, freshwater regularly. That includes making sure their water bowl is kept clean as well. Water bowls are in contact with your dog’s saliva, making it an ideal place for bacteria to grow. If your dog isn’t drinking as much water, they may be trying to tell you the bowl is too dirty or the water too old. You should be changing your dog’s water once to twice a day at a minimum.
Pet owners are split on this. It’s generally a good idea to provide unlimited access to clean water. That way your dog can go and take a drink whenever they need it. Restricting water can cause dogs to over drink when it’s provided. However, sometimes you may have to limit water consumption. If your dog is over drinking due to a medical reason, consult your vet about this. Some pet owners also try to restrict water drinking to certain times when a dog is a puppy to help with potty training. So typically, it is best to always give your dogs access to freshwater, but as long as they are healthy and getting enough each day that is all that matters.