Water is essential for all life, but how much water should a dog drink to stay healthy? How much water should a cat drink? Here are the general guidelines, and how to get your pet to drink more if they aren't drinking enough.
Why Water Matters for Dogs & Cats
Drinking an appropriate amount of water is vital to the health of both dogs and cats:
- 70% of your dog's or cat's body is made up of water
- Water is required for every chemical process in the body
Water is the most important nutrient! Water moisturizes the air in the lungs, transports oxygen and nutrients in the bloodstream to cells, helps regulate body temperature, protects and lubricates internal organs and joints, helps eliminate waste from the body and supports nervous system function.
How Much Water Should a Dog Drink Per Day?
A general rule of thumb for how much water a dog should drink is 1 ounce of fluids per pound of body weight. So a 10-pound dog should drink roughly 10 fluid ounces per day; a 100-pound dog should drink roughly 100 fluid ounces. How much water should a dog drink who is very active, lives in a hot climate or is lactating? Those dogs will drink more than other dogs, and puppies will often consume more water than adult dogs. A dog that eats wet food may also drink less water than a dog who eats kibble.

Why is my Dog Always Thirsty?
Drinking too much and peeing too much can be signs of an underlying medical condition in a dog. These conditions may include hormonal disorders such as diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, Cushing's syndrome, kidney disease, liver disease, cancer, fever and infection. Certain medications can cause increased thirst as well. If you notice that your dog is drinking more than usual, make an appointment with your veterinarian.
How Much Water Should a Cat Drink?
Compared to dogs, cats drink less water. In general, adult cats should consume anywhere between 5 to 10 fluid ounces of water per day, depending on their size, activity level, type of food and other factors, such as overall health and ambient temperature. If you feed your cat dry kibble, then they may drink closer to 10 ounces per day, and if you feed them canned food, they may drink closer to 5 ounces because of canned food's high moisture content.