What tricks do you know of to get a dog to drink water? (The vet has taken him off food for 24 hours.)?

Question

I took my dog to the vet due to 48 hours of diarrhea. The vet has taken him off food for 24 hours. The problem is that I was using food to get him to drink more so he wouldn't dehydrate. I was dropping a half dozen pieces of dry food in his water dish, which always gets him to drain the water dish. Without that trick, I'm worried he'll dehydrate as he hasn't shown much interest in water. He also doesn't seem to care about ice cubes in or out of the water dish. Any other tricks to get a dog to drink more?

Answer 1

You are worring too much. He will drink when he is thursty. However if you just want to ease your mind use 1 beef boulion cube boiled in about 6 cups of water. let it cool and let him drink that. If it is hot where you are and your dog likes ice (like mine do) just make some beef ice cubes with the boulion you made for him to nibble on. but trust me he probibly doesn't want to drink if his bottom is sore from all the diareah. Good luck home some of what I said helps.
Christina G

Answer 2

try those fountain pet watering dishes.

maybe he just doesnl't like water that sits too long, mine is the same way but he has a whole other thing going on. He jumps into the tub and waits for someone to turn on the faucet.

Anyway, that is one way, another is to mix milk and water and see how he likes it then slowly taper off the milk. Dogs are lactose but alittle bit won't hurt, I give mine milk popcicles on hot days, usually mixed with water.

below is a fountain site there are many others just look up pet drinking fountains, but this is a good place to start.

I am surprised your vet has not told you some drinking tips.

Answer 3

I give my fosters pedialyte. It's an electrolyte solution available at any drugstore usually given to children with diarreah. It's very salty. My puppies actually like the bubble gum flavor best. If it's an older dog he may like the plain salty flavor best. My older dogs do. It will restore his electrolytes and certainly hydrate him.
You can also buy a meat flavored electrolyte solution at Petsmart or any pet store. I'm sorry I can't remember the name of it. We use it at the SPCA. Just ask for it. You can also put an oxo cube in water. I would buy electrolyte solution first if you can afford it. It's best.

Answer 4

All you can do is provide cool, clean water and make sure he knows where it is. Your dog has gotten used to your trick and has come to expect it. But once he gets thirsty enough, he will drink.

If he is really stubborn and gets really dehydrated, the vet can give him subcutaneous fluids, which is no big deal. But I'd be really shocked if it actually came to that.

Answer 5

Either put a little chicken broth in the water, or try ice cubes, or crushed up ice either in the water or try playing with him with the ice to try and get him to bite at it or eat it.

Answer 6

Provide fresh water at all times - he'll drink if he wants to.

If he doesn't want to, there's a problem and you need to call the vet to tell them, he may need subcut. or even intravenous fluids. Keep a close eye on him, he certainly shouldn't go more than 12 hours with no liquid at all.

Chalice

Answer 7

try flavored ice cubes, like ones made out of chicken broth or something sweet. You can even just let your dog play/eat a regular ice cube my dog loves that!

Answer 8

Put your fingers in the water and let him lick your fingers. He will eventually want more water and drink out of the bowl. Or you can put a little bit of chicken broth in the water.

Answer 9

Make sure that he has fresh, clean, cool water available. He'll drink when he's thirsty. Unless he has kidney issues or a history of medical problems associated with not drinking, leave it up to him.

Answer 10

Too much water is what causes diarrhea. What on earth makes you think he doesn't drink enough. Discuss this with your vet. Does he know that you stimulate your dog to drink more than it wants to?