I have a Dalmatian that will not drink water from her water bowl.?

Question

I keep fresh water for her inside, but she will go in search of water outside, the pond, rainwater that has collected in chairs etc, even licks the driveway when there is water on it. If I pour water in my hand outside she will drink it, if I put it in a bowl, she won't. I might add she is neurotic in other matters too.

Answer 1

Have you tried other bowls? Sometimes the tin bowls can make a tinging noise and dogs don't like that so they will refuse to go near it. If it's another type there maybe something to it she doesn't like. If you don't mind her drinking out of something strange but with fresh water try putting something else down with water instead. Come up with a clever, cute idea to use as a water bowl that will get your dog drinking fresh water and be a nice conversation peice in your home!

If she is only drinking the rainwater and such she may be lacking something in her body. Rainwater has salt in it so that could be the problem but do not feed your dog salt. If you can't get her to drink fresh water take her to the vet to get her checked out.

Edit: I read a post about adding sugar to the bowl, sugar is not good for a dog and over time will hurt them. Don't add anything to the bowl unless you've checked with your vet first to make sure it's ok.

Answer 2

Get a different bowl, put water in it and add some sugar or Karo syrup. If all else fails, leave the toilet open, and forget about the bowl. She'll drink that and it will always be fresh if you flush each time you use the toilet. Also, be sure not to use those blue chemicals in the back bowl.
If you can't stand that idea, tell her to leave the water bowl alone and pretend to hide it. She will probably want it, then.

Answer 3

Is it tap water you want her to drink, its not very nice tasting stuff. I add a small amount of Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (apart for it being good for them) they love it. Every now and then I will put some gum leaves in their bowl, just because any natural water source has a different flavour, depending what kind of tress etc are surrounding the body of water.
Why is she stressing?

Answer 4

I have a mixed bred terrier who does the same thing!She won't eat out of a bowl ,plate ,or any other container.I just figured she was spoiled.She is a strange little animal ,but I'm probably strange to her at times too.With all her little quirks she still very precious to me.My dog will drink from the water bowl,but it really strains her to do so . She will make several attempts toward the bowl before she drinks.She will drink or eat from my hand tho.

Answer 5

Try bottled water in the bowl. It may be the smell of the water. Also, try a different bowl and make sure there is no soap or cleaner residue that she may be smelling. She also may want the water outside because she is deficient in minerals and the body seeks what it needs.

Answer 6

Place her water bowl outside. This might help. My pet will not drink water inside either. Good Luck

Answer 7

Try a different bowl. Some dogs (and other pets) prefer to drink out of a ceramic bowl; others might prefer stainless steel, or even plastic. Also, try filtered or bottled water.

Answer 8

Do you got a lot of cloride in your water? She might not like the taste of it. Let it sit for a day, she might like it better. Otherwise don't worry about it to much. Never heard of a dog getting dehydrated in front of a full water bowl.

Answer 9

i have 3 dogs and my one would not drink from a bowl either he stuck to the toilet or outside, he is a big dog though and he hates having to bend his head down too far, so we got him a water bowl with a stand it sits on and now he has now problem

Answer 10

Change the kind of texture of the bowl. I had to get a stainless bowl. My dog would not go near plastic.