How To Trick Your Dog Into Drinking Water

Just like how it’s super important to make sure that we humans are drinking all of the water that we need to thrive, it’s also super important to make sure that our four-legged friends are getting all of the necessary hydration that they need to maintain healthy functioning, too. 

But, even though drinking water is a natural instinct that both us and dogs share, what do you do if you are noticing that your dog isn’t drinking as much water as it should be?

Believe it or not, pups refusing to drink their water is actually a lot more common than you might think, and we are here to lend you a helping hand.

In order to make sure that your dog is getting all of the water, they need to stay optimally hydrated at all times.

In this guide we are going to be sharing with you some of the best ways you can “trick” your dog into drinking their water!

From flavoring the water to swapping out water bowls – we have made sure to cover all bases! 

So, whenever you’re ready, just read on to discover some effective ways to encourage your dog to begin drinking enough water!

How To Trick Your Dog Into Drinking Water

It is very important to make sure that your dog is staying hydrated, as there are a variety of adverse effects that can happen due to being dehydrated.

Regardless of whether your dog is currently getting over an illness and isn’t drinking as much as he usually does, or you’ve simply got a stubborn pup on your hands that needs a little extra encouragement drinking all of the water that they need – read on for some simple yet effective methods that will have your furry friend drinking water in no time:

Swap Out The Current Water Bowl For A New One

First things first, one of the easiest ways that you can encourage your dog to begin drinking more water throughout the day is by switching up the water bowl.

Besides piquing your dog’s interest with a new object in their everyday environment, making sure that your dog has a water bowl that they like will only increase the likelihood of your dog making sure to drink enough water throughout the day.

On one hand, there are small to medium-breed dogs that will typically prefer to have a smaller-sized water bowl over a larger one.

On the other hand, the majority of larger breed dogs will prefer to be given a larger bowl to make it easier for them to drink their water, so it’s important to make sure that the size and style of the water bowl that you select aligns with the size of your dog.

Alongside the size of your water bowl, you should also consider what material you want the water bowl to be made out of.

Typically, water bowls for dogs are usually made out of metal, plastic, and ceramic, so if you feel that this might be the root of the problems, you might want to consider trying out a few different water bowls made out of these different materials to see which one your dog likes best.

Flavor Your Dog’s Water With Something Tasty!

Alongside making sure that your dog’s water bowl is the ideal size and shape for them, you might also want to consider flavoring your dog’s water with something that you know they’ll find delicious.

Many dog owners that want to encourage their dogs to drink more water throughout the day will typically infuse a little meat stock into their dog’s water to make the water more appealing to them. 

Allow Your Dog To Drink Out Of Your Hands

While this certainly might not be a permanent solution to your dog’s drinking habits, it’s certainly a solution that can act as a quick fix!

Besides being a person in your dog’s life that they trust, it’s a common fact that many dogs love to drink water out of their human’s hands because the salt across the skin helps to elevate the flavor of the water!

So, if your dog is being a little stubborn and you want a temporary solution to rehydrate them until they begin drinking water as they normally do – cupping your hands and allowing your dog to drink water from them is a surefire way to keep your dog hydrated. 

Consider Installing A Permanent Water Fountain

If your dog just flat out doesn’t like to drink from their water bowl, then a fun and exciting alternative that you can consider permanently installing is a drinking fountain!

Just think about it, dogs love to drink from water bottles after a long walk in the sun, so it only makes sense that they should love to drink from a water fountain, right? Right!

Many dogs prefer the feeling of drinking running water, so this method is certainly an option to think about if your dog doesn’t seem to enjoy drinking regular water from a bowl.

Final Words

There we have it! Thank you for taking the time to read through this article, we’re hoping that you now have a much better understanding of some of the best ways that you can encourage your dog to begin drinking more water!

As a final parting note, before you click off, why don’t you consider bookmarking this page?

That way, if you’re ever stuck with a dehydrated dog and need some inspiration to help encourage them to begin drinking the water that they need, you will know exactly where to find this helpful resource.

Of course, if your dog isn’t drinking enough water and you are beginning to notice signs of lethargicness or more, then you should absolutely take your dog to the vet so that they can assist further.