Often times, we may be concerned about our dog’s water intake. Is it too little? Is it too much? The normal dog daily water intake may vary based upon exercise, diet (canned or dry), age, size, and general health. On average, however, normal dogs drink between ½ to 1 ounce of water per pound of weight. So a dog weighing 60 pounds would drink between 1 to 2 quarts daily. Puppies generally drink more than adults.
Excessive water intake (often accompanied by increased urinations) may indicate health problems. Diabetes, kidney and liver disease, and Cushing’s disease, among others, may all show increased water consumption as a major factor. Averaging your dog’s daily water intake over 3 days will help your veterinarian determine if there may be a concern. If there is a concern, blood work and a urine analysis are strongly encouraged.