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My dog doesn't drink much water. Is she getting enough hydration?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

My dog doesn’t seem to drink much water. How can I make sure she is getting enough?

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Answered By Dr. Leigh, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on January 25th, 2018

The amount of water a dog needs depends on several factors, including the activity level, and the type of food the dog eats. For example, if your dog eats wet food, then she may drink less water because canned food has a higher water content than dry food. In any case, you can always check your dog's hydration level by pinching her skin. If it goes flat right away, that's a sign that she's properly hydrated. However, if it takes several seconds, that could be a sign that she's dehydrated. That said, the best way to make sure is to have your dog examined by your veterinarian. Finally, you should always make sure your dog's water is fresh and clean. Also, keep in mind that some dogs will drink more out of fountain type bowls, so you could try that too.

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