Hydration is a crucial aspect of maintaining the health and well-being of your German Shepherd. These large, active dogs require a significant amount of water each day to support their body functions, keep cool, and maintain their overall health.
Always have fresh, clean water available for your dog throughout the day. Dogs need to stay properly hydrated to maintain their health. A general guideline for dogs’ water intake is that they should drink approximately one ounce of water per pound of body weight each day.
German Shepherds are a large breed, typically weighing between 50 to 90 pounds when fully grown, which means they would need between about 6 to 11 cups of water per day. Puppies, active dogs, nursing mothers, and dogs in hot climates may require more.
In this article, we’ll discuss how much water your German Shepherd needs, the signs of proper hydration, and the importance of regular water intake. Understanding your pet’s hydration needs is key to ensuring their optimal health and longevity.
How Long Can German Shepherd Dogs Go Without Drinking Water?
German Shepherds, like any other dogs, need a lot of water to survive. Depending on their physical condition and age, they can only go for up to 3 days without the fluid.
Most GSDs will show signs of dehydration within 24 hours of not getting water. Furthermore, it most likely indicates a potential health issue when dogs refuse to drink fluids.
How Much Water Does A German Shepherd Need?
Most dogs require at least 1 ounce of water per pound of their body weight.
As long as your dog is drinking normally and has been given access to water, you shouldn’t worry about the amount. You see, these smart animals are very good at self-regulating their own hydration needs and will drink as required by their body.
On the other hand, certain health conditions can sometimes make your German Shepherd not want to drink water.
How Much Water Does A German Shepherd Puppy Need?
Newborns and very little puppies fulfill their water needs with their mother’s milk. Similarly, growing pups that have started eating solid food need half a cup (4 ounces) of water every 2 hours.
How To Know If My Dog Isn’t Drinking Enough Water?
If you feel like your dog isn’t drinking water as much lately, you should look out for signs of dehydration. They include:
- Less Elastic Skin
- Dryness in eyes and nose
- Loss of Appetite
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue and Lethargy
- Panting with thick saliva
Here’s a test you can do to find out if your German Shepherd’s body doesn’t have enough water. Simply pull the skin on the back of its head and let it go.
If the animal is hydrated, the skin will easily return to normal. However, if it’s dehydrated, the skin will take more time to retract or may not be able to retain its original position at all.
You can also press the dog’s gums until it turns white. The gum should return to pink immediately if there’s adequate hydration. If not, it’ll remain white for longer.
Possible Reasons Your Dog May Be Dehydrated
Before talking about how you can help a dehydrated dog, it’s helpful to know the possible causes that took your pet to that condition:
- Health conditions such as kidney disease, diabetes, or something even more serious
- Excessive vomiting and diarrhea because of digestive issues
- Water not being accessible
- Heatstroke
- Fever
How To Fix Dehydration In A German Shepherd
First things first, you should take your dog to a vet if it shows any signs, as indicated above. While most mild cases of dehydration can be treated at home, it’s better not to take any risks and confirm there are no serious ailments.
Here are other ways to prevent dehydration or help a dehydrated dog:
Keep Your Dog Indoors
The heat from the direct sunlight makes a dog lose water in the form of sweat or saliva. Thus, keeping it indoors will help lower its body temperature and allow it to stay hydrated.
Feed it Wet Food
You can buy wet canned food or prepare things like soup. But make sure that you don’t overdo it; dogs that are used to very soft food may not chew well, causing them various dental problems.
Close the Toilet Seats
It’s an annoyance, but dogs seem to like drinking out of the toilet even if they have a glass next to them. To prevent them from ingesting disease-causing bacteria, you should close the toilet seat every time possible.
Prepare A Cool Treat
To make hydration fun for your german shepherd, you can prepare some ice pop by freezing a mixture of water and watermelon juice. Not only is it a tasty dog treat for hot summer days, but it can also be of excellent help to replenish the amount of H2O in the animal’s body.
Monitor the Liquid Intake
To monitor how much water your dog drinks, buy a cup and refill it every morning. Then check how much of the water’s gone by the evening. Repeat the process the next day as well.
Feed A Homemade Electrolyte Solution
You can treat initial signs of diarrhea or vomiting in dogs with this easy homemade electrolyte solution:
Things You Need
- Water
- Honey
- Salt
Process
- Mix a tablespoon each of honey and salt in 4 cups of water
- Bring the mixture to a boil under low heat. Stir it continuously until the honey, and the salt dissolve completely
- Let the solution cool down to room temperature.
- Offer about 1 tablespoon of the solution to the dog every 20 to 30 minutes. In the case of a puppy, only feed 1 teaspoon at a time.
Make Water Accessible at All Times
Ensure that you’ve filled your pet’s water bowl before going to work. It’s also a good idea to put a water bowl in every story of the house.
Furthermore, carry a water bottle when taking your pet out for a walk. Making water accessible to your dog all the time encourages it to drink immediately when thirsty.
Conclusion
It’s important to always have fresh, clean water available for your dog throughout the day. However, be aware that if your dog is drinking excessively or very little, it could be a sign of a health problem, and you should consult with a veterinarian.
Remember that these are general guidelines and can vary based on individual dog’s age, diet, health status, and activity level. When in doubt, it’s always a good idea to discuss any concerns with your vet.
FAQs
Why is My German Shepherd Always Thirsty?
Dogs may want to drink a lot of water after exercising, eating certain types of food, or during hot weather. On the other hand, getting thirsty all the time can also be a sign of dehydration, which you can verify by the skin pull test we discussed earlier.
What Can My German Shepherd Drink Besides Water?
Dogs can drink broths, coconut water, fresh juices, and probiotic drinks like kefir. Make sure that the drink doesn’t have any added sugar or salt. But remember, fresh water is still the best way to get your pooch hydrated.