Dog Won't Drink Water? 9 Vet-Backed Ways to Boost Hydration

Before trying fixes, confirm the problem: check how much water your dog actually needs — a dog on wet food may look like it barely drinks but be fully hydrated.

First: Confirm There's Actually a Problem

Not all low bowl-drinking is dehydration. Dogs on wet food, raw food, or mixed diets get most of their water from meals — the bowl target is substantially lower. Check the baseline water requirements guide for your dog's diet type before assuming there's a problem.

For dogs on dry food: the skin turgor test is faster than measuring bowl intake. Pinch the skin at the back of the neck and release. If it snaps back in under 1 second, the dog is hydrated. Tacky gums or slow skin return confirm under-hydration.

9 Ways to Get Your Dog to Drink More Water

Add water to dry kibble

Pour 50–100 ml of warm or room-temperature water over dry food before serving. This is the highest-impact change for dogs on dry-only diets — each meal becomes a hydration opportunity. Warm water often increases palatability. Start with small amounts; some dogs initially dislike soggy kibble and need a gradual transition over a few days.

Switch to wet food or add a wet topper

Wet food is approximately 78–82% water by weight. A full switch to wet food dramatically increases daily water intake from food. If a full switch is too expensive or causes digestive upset, a wet food topper (1–2 tablespoons on each meal) still meaningfully increases moisture. Transition any diet change over 5–7 days to avoid gastrointestinal upset.

Try a recirculating water fountain

Many dogs prefer running or moving water over still water in a bowl. Recirculating fountains keep water oxygenated and cooler, which enhances palatability. Studies in cats (and anecdotally observed in dogs) show significantly higher daily intake from fountains versus standard bowls. Choose a model with an easy-to-clean design — fountains require regular cleaning to prevent biofilm buildup.

Move the bowl away from food

Dogs have a natural tendency to avoid water sources near food — an instinct rooted in avoiding contaminated water near decaying meat. Place the water bowl at least 1–2 metres from the food bowl. In some dogs, moving the bowl to a different room or corner entirely resolves apparent reluctance to drink.

Add multiple water stations

Dogs often drink opportunistically when they encounter water rather than seeking it out deliberately. More water points = more drinking occasions. Add a bowl in each room the dog spends significant time in, and one outdoors if the dog has garden access. For multi-floor homes, one bowl per floor is the minimum.

Change the bowl material

Plastic bowls develop micro-scratches that harbour bacteria and develop odours, which some dogs detect and avoid. Switch to stainless steel or ceramic. Some dogs are also bowl-shy due to their tags clinking against the side — try a wider or heavier bowl to prevent movement.

Offer ice cubes or a frozen treat

Many dogs enjoy chewing ice cubes, particularly in warm weather. Frozen broth cubes (plain, no onion or garlic) are a popular treat that delivers both enrichment and hydration. This approach works well for dogs that are not enthusiastic drinkers but enjoy chewing and foraging.

Add low-sodium broth or bone broth

A tablespoon or two of plain, unseasoned, low-sodium chicken or beef broth added to the water bowl makes it more palatable for most dogs. Avoid any product containing onion, garlic, chives, or added salt. Dog-specific bone broth products are commercially available. This is a useful short-term strategy — over time, most dogs adapt and you can phase it out.

Ensure fresh water at all times

Stale water develops a film and loses dissolved oxygen, making it less palatable. Change water at least once daily — twice in warm weather. Wash the bowl daily with soap and water; biofilm (the slippery coating that develops on the inside of a plastic or ceramic bowl) reduces palatability even when not visibly dirty.

When to See a Vet Instead

If reduced drinking is accompanied by any of the following, the cause is likely medical rather than behavioural — try the strategies above only after ruling out illness:

Loss of appetite for 24+ hours
Vomiting or diarrhea alongside reduced drinking
Obvious pain, difficulty swallowing, or mouth sores
Post-surgical patient who has not drunk voluntarily within 12 hours
Puppy or senior dog that has stopped drinking — these groups deteriorate faster
Dark, odorous urine and lethargy

For dogs that have recently had surgery, not drinking after surgery has specific causes and timelines — read that guide separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Some reduction in bowl drinking is expected and normal when a dog eats wet food, raw food, or mixed diets — the food itself provides substantial moisture. A dog on wet food may drink 60–70% less from the bowl than a dog on dry kibble and still be well hydrated. If the dog is on dry food and drinking noticeably less than usual, or if reduced drinking is accompanied by lethargy, dark urine, or loss of appetite, consult a vet.

Yes. Adding 50–100 ml of water to dry kibble before feeding noticeably increases total daily water intake. Warm water can enhance palatability — many dogs prefer it and eat their food more enthusiastically. The added water is counted toward the dog's total daily requirement. This approach is especially helpful for dogs that consistently under-drink and for seniors whose thirst drive may be reduced.

Wet food typically provides 78–82% of its weight as water. A dog eating exclusively wet food gets a very large proportion of their daily water requirement from meals and will drink much less from the bowl. This is normal and not concerning. However, a dog transitioning from dry to wet food may appear to stop drinking entirely — monitor total hydration via skin turgor and gum moisture, not just bowl intake.

Yes, with caution. Low-sodium, unseasoned chicken or beef broth can make water more palatable and is safe in small amounts. Avoid any broth containing onion or garlic (both toxic to dogs), added salt, or artificial flavourings. Bone broth is a popular alternative — commercially prepared dog-safe versions are widely available. Start with 1–2 tablespoons per bowl and adjust. Don't replace water entirely with broth; keep fresh water available at all times.

At minimum, one bowl per dog plus one extra. Multi-dog households and larger homes benefit from water stations in multiple locations — dogs often drink opportunistically when they pass a water source rather than making a dedicated trip. Studies in domestic cats (and extrapolated to dogs) show that access to multiple water points significantly increases daily water intake. For multi-story homes, one bowl per floor is a practical baseline.

Possibly. Plastic bowls develop micro-scratches over time that harbour bacteria and odour, which some dogs detect and avoid. Stainless steel and ceramic are less prone to this. Bowl placement matters too — dogs often avoid bowls placed directly next to food or litter areas (instinctive aversion to water near food that might spoil it, and contamination near waste). Moving the bowl 1–2 metres away from the food bowl sometimes resolves reluctance to drink.

Sources

Buckley CM et al. (2011). Effect of drinking water source on intake and urine concentration in healthy dogs. Journal of Small Animal Practice 52(6):296–303.
WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines. Section on water intake and hydration assessment.

PawToolkit provides general educational information. Consult a vet if your dog's reduced drinking is accompanied by other symptoms.