You may be wondering how much water a golden retriever puppy should drink. We did our in-depth research to ensure your golden retriever puppy isn’t over or dehydrated for their overall well-being.
A golden retriever puppy should drink half to one ounce of water per pound of body weight daily. For a puppy that weighs 20 pounds, you will need to give them 10 to 20 ounces of water per day. They may need more water with increased activity levels and on hotter days.
Inadequate water intake may indicate underlying health conditions and adversely affect their health. Let’s look at ideal hydration levels and how to identify and deal with over and dehydration!
Table of Contents
How Much Water is Enough for a Golden Retriever Puppy?
How much water should a puppy drink a day? According to AKC, an older golden retriever puppy that has already been weaned should drink between half and one ounce of water per pound of body weight every day.
Younger puppy maintains their hydration levels through their mother’s milk. As they are being weaned, they will need around half cup of water every two hours.
Most probably, you will be bringing an older puppy to your home that is completely weaned off their mother’s milk since they shouldn’t be separated from their mother and littermates before 8 weeks of age. Also, puppies usually make a complete switch to solid food by 7 to 8 weeks.
Therefore, considering that you’re bringing an older puppy home, they will need between half and one ounce of water per pound of body weight every day.
You may ask, “How much water should a 8 week puppy drink?” as you may feel that an 8-week-old puppy drinks a lot of water. For this, you will need to calculate their body weight.
According to this weight chart, an 8-week-old puppy weighs around 10 pounds. Hence, they should drink approximately 5 to 10 ounces of water daily.
If you ask how much water should a 6-month puppy drink, using the same weight chart for reference, they may weigh around 35 pounds. Therefore, a 6-month-old puppy should drink about 17.5 to 35 ounces of water every day.
RELATED: Golden Retriever 6 Months Old Behavior: A Complete Guide
However, let’s talk about other factors below that may influence your puppy’s water intake.
Summary: An older golden retriever puppy, weaned from mother’s milk, should drink half to one ounce of water per pound of body weight daily. For example, an 8-week-old puppy (about 10 pounds) needs 5-10 ounces, while a 6-month-old (around 35 pounds) requires 17.5-35 ounces daily.
What are the Factors that Affect the Water Intake of a Puppy?
Keep in mind that your puppy’s water intake will depend on various factors, such as your puppy’s age, activity levels, health, diet, and the weather. Let’s briefly discuss them one by one.
1. Age and Weight
If a very young puppy is being weaned, they will need more water, i.e., half a cup of water every two hours, to make it easier for them to digest solid food and help them stay hydrated.
RELATED: When Should My Golden Retriever Puppy Switch To Adult Food?
For older puppies who have already been weaned, hydration levels depend on their age (and weight), as we just discussed above with examples.
You may have noticed that an 8-week-old puppy drinks less water than a 6-month-old puppy.
Hence, as puppies age, they usually also gain weight, and their water consumption increases too.
2. Activity Levels
If your golden retriever puppy plays a lot and is quite physically active, they will pant more to cool themselves down, just like how humans sweat.
Recommended Reading: Do Golden Retrievers Pant A Lot?
As dogs pant, they quickly inhale, humidify, and exhale air, this causes the water to rapidly evaporate from their lungs and nose to cool down their body from the inside out.
In this process, a lot of water may be evaporated, and they may need more water to stay hydrated.
3. Weather Conditions
During hotter days, your puppy will pant more to cool themselves and may require more water.
On the other hand, during cold winter days, they may not require as much water.
4. Diet
Dogs also get water through food. If your little canine eats more food with higher water content, like cucumbers and canned wet food, than dry kibble, they will drink less water.
5. Health
According to WebMD, your little pup may be excessively thirsty or dehydrated due to underlying medical conditions such as kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, diarrhea, Cushing’s disease, and infection.
Some meds used to treat these conditions, along with anti-inflammatory drugs, heart failure drugs, and seizure medications, can also cause excessive thirst.
What’s the Importance of Water for Golden Retriever Puppies?
Golden retriever puppies, like all puppies, require adequate water to stay healthy and well-hydrated.
You should know that the blood’s main component is water, which helps carry nutrients and oxygen throughout the body.
This also ensures the health of every organ.
Water is important for golden retriever puppies because it assists their metabolic processes, including brain activities, blood flow, breathing, and digestion by helping break down the food they ingest.
Water helps regulate body temperature, lubricates joints for mobility, and removes waste from the body through urination, essential for maintaining good kidney health.
Therefore, ensuring your golden retriever puppy drinks enough water daily is necessary.
Summary: Water is crucial for golden retriever puppies as it supports metabolism, brain function, digestion, body temperature regulation, joint lubrication, and waste elimination.
How to Monitor the Water Intake of a Puppy?
One way to monitor the water intake of a golden retriever puppy is to keep track of how much water they drink each day.
You can do this by measuring the amount of water you pour into their bowl and noting how much is left at the end of the day.
If you notice that your puppy is drinking significantly more or less water than usual, it may be a sign that something is wrong, and you must consult your veterinarian.
Dehydration in Puppies
Dehydration can occur in golden retriever puppies due to overheating during play, fever, vomiting, heat stroke, diarrhea, excessive urination, and inadequate access to water.
Although puppies usually keep drinking water on their own, they may at times also “forget” to drink enough water.
It is essential to immediately seek veterinary care if your puppy shows signs of dehydration, as it can lead to serious health complications if left untreated.
Symptoms of Dehydration
The most common symptoms of dehydration in canines are:
- Dry, sticky gums
- Inelastic skin
- Low energy levels
- Panting
- Sunken, dry-looking eyes
- Dry nose
- Thick saliva
- Loss of appetite
How to Check if Your Golden Retriever Puppy is Dehydrated?
You can also do some tests to help figure out if your little puppy is dehydrated.
When feeling the gums of a dehydrated dog, they will be sticky or dry.
A more obvious sign is a loss of skin elasticity.
To test for skin elasticity, gently hold your little canine’s skin on the back of their neck, raise it, and then let it go.
The skin will instantly spring back to its original position in well-hydrated puppies. On the other hand, the skin of dehydrated puppies will take longer to fall back into place.
Another test you can do is to press the gums of your puppy gently with your finger. As you restrict the blood flow, they will turn white.
Once you lift your finger, the color should return to pink within two seconds. If it takes more, your dog may be dehydrated.
Tips for Ensuring Your Golden Retriever Puppy Drinks Enough Water
If your little pup doesn’t seem to be drinking enough water, these tips will encourage them to maintain ideal hydration levels.
1. Provide access to fresh, clean water
Make sure your puppy has access to clean water at all times.
You can place their water in places where they hang out the most at home.
When thinking about whether to give tap or bottled water to them, remember that if you wouldn’t drink it, your puppy shouldn’t drink it either.
Keep your pup’s water bottle with you when you go out.
Change the water frequently, especially if it becomes dirty or contaminated, as the foul odor may hinder them from drinking it.
2. Choose the right size bowl
Use a clean water bowl that is the right size for your puppy.
A bowl that is too small may not provide enough water, while a bowl that is too large may encourage your puppy to play in the water instead of drinking it.
3. Monitor your puppy’s water intake
Keep an eye on how much water your puppy is drinking each day.
If you notice that they drink significantly less than usual, it may be a sign of dehydration or illness.
4. Encourage your puppy to drink
Adding flavor to your puppy’s water can encourage them to drink enough water in a day.
Mixing bone, beef, or chicken broth in your pup’s water can make it more appealing to them.
5. Offer ice cubes
Most puppies love chewing on ice cubes. This is another great way to increase their water intake.
6. Add a treat to their water bowl
Placing a treat or two at the bottom of their water bowl will entice them to drink water while they try to eat their favorite treat.
Some dog parents have even seen great results with their pup’s water intake by crushing one to two treats and adding them to the water bowl.
Hydrating Treats for Golden Retriever Puppies
Hydrating treats are a great way to increase your golden retriever puppy’s water intake.
The hydrating treats consist of fruits and vegetables that contain up to 95% water, essential vitamins, and minerals that help to keep your puppy hydrated and healthy.
Recommended Reading: What Fruits Can Golden Retrievers Not Eat?
You can serve these hydrating treats by cutting them into small pieces or mixing them with puppy food. Some of the most common hydrating treats safe for puppies are listed below.
- Watermelon (remove the rind and seeds first)
- Cucumber
- Apple (remove the seeds and core first)
- Blueberries
- Carrots
- Chicken or meat broth
It is important to offer these hydrating treats in moderation and avoid any treats that could harm your puppy.
Recommended Reading: What Human Foods Can Golden Retrievers Eat?
Always supervise your puppy when giving them treats. It’s also recommended to talk to your vet about any treats you’re willing to give them.
Overhydration or Water Intoxication in Puppies
Overhydration (also called water intoxication) in puppies can be just as dangerous as dehydration.
If your puppy has started drinking a lot of water all of a sudden and you can’t relate to factors that affect excessive water intake like hot weather or increased activity levels, it can be a cause for concern.
The most common cause of water intoxication is when dogs accidentally swallow too much water when playing or swimming in the water.
RELATED: Do Golden Retrievers Like Water?
Overhydration can also be a cause of underlying medical conditions like diabetes, diarrhea, infection, Cushing’s disease, and kidney issues or certain medications, as we discussed above.
When you suspect your puppy of being overhydrated, contact your vet immediately.
Symptoms of Overhydration
It is essential to monitor your puppy’s water intake and ensure they do not drink too much water. You can watch out for these symptoms of overhydration or water intoxication in dogs:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of coordination
- Lethargy
- Bloating
- Pale gums
- Dilated pupils
- Excessive salivation
What to Do If Your Puppy Drinks Too Much Water?
Of course, the first thing you should do is consult your vet. Make sure you also tell them the symptoms your puppy is showing (if any), so they can detect the root cause and give proper treatment.
If the checkup confirms there’s nothing wrong with your dog, they may be simply obsessive drinkers.
You can also ask your vet for tips on how to control their water intake.
Usually, rationing the amount of water you give them daily will help maintain their adequate hydration levels.
Plan the amount of water they need in a day and put it in their water bowl in small quantities throughout the day so they don’t drink too much at once, which can cause them to vomit.
Of course, you will also have to give them extra water on hot days or when they are playing or exercising a lot.
How Much Water Should a Puppy Drink During Potty Training?
It’s not uncommon for pet parents to ask how often to give puppy water when potty training.
When potty training a puppy, providing access to water throughout the day is essential to ensure they remain adequately hydrated.
RECOMMENDED READING: How to Potty Train a Golden Retriever Puppy? (10 Easy Steps)
Never limit their access to water during the day, as you don’t want them to get dehydrated.
Remember that puppies generally need to pee within 10 to 30 minutes of drinking water, so you can expect your puppy to take bathroom breaks quite often during the day.
You should also set a routine for when you feed your puppy and remove their water bowls and be consistent with it.
However, to avoid accidents in the house at night or waking up throughout the night to take your dog to pee, you should remove their access to water two to three hours before bedtime.
Restricting water for puppy at night will ensure they don’t constantly wake you up for bathroom breaks through the night, and they can also sleep well.
This way, you will have to take them once for a bathroom break before bed.
Once your puppy is old enough and well-trained, giving them access to water even during the night shouldn’t be a problem because they get better control of their bladder and are well-trained as they grow older.
According to AKC, until puppies are about 4 months old, they can’t control their bladder. After that, they can hold their bladder for hours equal to their age in months plus 1. For example, a 5-month-old puppy can control their bladder for 6 hours (5 months + 1 hour).
Summary: During potty training, puppies should have unrestricted access to water throughout the day for hydration but limit it 2-3 hours before bedtime to reduce nighttime accidents. They usually need to pee 10-30 minutes after drinking, and bladder control improves with age.
Conclusion
Golden retriever puppies should drink about half to one ounce of water per pound of body weight daily. The amount of water your puppy needs will depend on several factors, such as weight, health, activity level, weather, and diet. However, it is important to monitor your puppy’s water intake and make adjustments as necessary to ensure that they stay hydrated properly.