You are so excited to have a new German Shepherd puppy in your home, but you know these puppies are super active and can get dehydrated quickly. How do you know how much water you should give your puppy daily? What happens if you give him too little or too much?
The amount of water needed by a German Shepherd varies by puppy age and weight. The following table summarizes the amount of water needed by german shepherds at different ages:
| Age of Puppy | Amount of Water | Frequency |
| 2-3 Weeks | Mother’s milk | On-demand |
| 4-5 Weeks | ½ cup water | Every 2 hours |
| 6 Weeks+ | ½ to 1 ounce per pound of body weight | Every day |
It’s pretty easy to determine how much water to give your German Shepherd puppy. Still, you need to know the tell-tale signs that your puppy is hydrated and healthy. Keep reading to learn more about drinking quantities as your German Shepherd grows and how to keep them happy and healthy.
How Much Water Should My German Shepherd Puppy Drink?
The age of your German Shepherd is crucial when determining how much water to give them. When they are 1 to 3 weeks old, they should not be given any water, as they stay hydrated from their mother’s milk.
Once they reach 4-5 weeks old, they should be weaning off of their mother’s milk and beginning to eat regular food. When your puppy is eager to eat like this, he can be given ½ cup of water every two hours.
Your puppy should be completely weaned off its mother’s milk at six weeks old. At this point, you need to give more water than before. 6-week-old puppies should be given ½ to 1 ounce of water per body weight daily. For example, if your puppy weighs 20 pounds, he should be given 10-20 ounces of water. This would be about 2.5 cups per day. If your puppy weights 50 pounds, he should be given 40-50 ounces of water per day.
As your puppy grows, you’ll need to monitor his weight and base his water intake on that unless he is super energetic and may need to consume more. It is best to stick to the recommended amounts whenever possible, as overconsumption of water can lead to water intoxication.
Water intoxication is known as hyponatremia. It is a rare condition, but could happen if your dog consumes too much water. This is why it is extremely important to monitor your dogs water consumption. Water intoxication may happen if your puppy likes to play in pressurized water like from a hose or sprinkler as well as in pools. Hyponatremia progresses quickly and may cause harm to your pet. When your puppy is playing in water, make sure they take a rest every so often to keep them safe.
Why Is My Puppy Still Thirsty?
German Shepherds are highly active dogs; after six weeks, they need an ounce of water for every pound they weigh. Some dogs may drink more than this, and some will drink less. However, if your puppy suddenly shows extreme thirst, even if you are giving more water than necessary, this may be a cause for concern.
These factors can play a role in excessive thirst in german shepherd puppies:
- Activity level
- Diet
- Medicine
- Illness
- Heat
If your dog is highly active, especially on a hot day, you can probably give him some extra water, with no need to worry. However, if the excessive thirst is sudden and continues for multiple days, take your puppy to the vet. The veterinarian can diagnose what could be causing their desire to drink more.
How Can I Tell If My Puppy Is Dehydrated?
Every dog is different, and the amount they drink will vary, but as long as you give them an adequate water supply, they should be well-hydrated and healthy.
However, depending on the activity level of your German Shepherd, they may require more than what you are giving them.
If you notice any of the following symptoms in your dog, it may be necessary to increase their water intake.
- Loss of skin elasticity
- Dry nose and dry sticky gums
- Loss of appetite
- Panting
- Lethargy
- Thick saliva
Dehydration can have severe impacts on your puppy. For example, dehydration can lead to heatstroke, kidney failure and other serious complications. If you sense something is wrong, it’s best to take action immediately. If giving them cool water doesn’t seem to help, take them to the vet!
Treating Dehydration In A German Shepherd Puppy
The first thing you need to do if you notice signs of dehydration is to give your puppy clean, cold water. If he is only mildly dehydrated, you may switch out his water for electrolytes, once throughout the day. Do not give him too much, as electrolyte dosages are different for dogs than humans. You may also give your dog ice chips to encourage him to drink water if he is reluctant to do so.
If your puppy is lethargic and has no appetite, the best thing to do is take him to the veterinarian. In this case, your German Shepherd may be severely dehydrated and may need to receive fluids through an IV. While at the vet, you should be sure to tell them the amount of water you give your dog daily. This can help the veterinarian determine if your dog’s dehydration is due to lack of hydration or some other illness or condition.
Even though you can treat severe dehydration, most importantly, you can prevent it! If you leave home throughout the day, be sure to leave plenty of water for your puppy to drink while you’re away. If it is extremely hot and your puppy is playing outside, provide clean, cold water for them to access as they please.
Conclusion
Without a doubt, German Shepherd puppies drink a lot of water. Although they should only drink ½ cup a day when they are 4-5 weeks old, after six weeks, puppies will begin to drink more depending on how much they weigh. Most puppies are incredibly active and must be given the correct amount of water to avoid dehydration. If it is a sweltering day, provide extra cold water and a cool shaded area to keep your puppy happy and healthy.