18 tips to get your dog or cat to drink more
9 tips to get your dog to drink more
1. Clean and refill the drinking bowl daily.
Water that has been standing still for a while, is no longer attractive to your faithful friend. Just as we humans don’t like to drink from a dirty glass, animals don’t like to drink from a dirty drinking bowl!
2. Place the drinking bowl in a place your dog likes.
Maybe the current location of the drinking bowl doesn’t meet your four-legged friend’s wishes? Sometimes a small adjustment, like moving the bowl, can make a big difference.
3. Place water bowls in various areas of your house.
Or even better: give your dog different options. This way he can choose where he wants to drink at any time and there will always be a drinking bowl within his reach.
4. Try another type of drinking bowl, maybe a bigger one.
Dogs don’t like drinking bowls that are too small. Your dog may also be frightened when his collar taps against the stainless steel. It may therefore be worth trying a different type of bowl.
5. Buy a drinking fountain.
A drinking fountain ensures that the water stays clean and has a delicious taste. Flowing water also stimulates extra drinking.
6. Add water to your dog’s food.
This is a good way of ensuring your loyal friend still gets some of his daily intake. By the way, did you know that it’s also good for your dog's weight? Simply pouring water over your dog's food will make the kibble swell and your dog will feel like he’s getting a lot more to eat.
7. Flavour their water.
Do you have some unsalted water in which you have cooked chicken, meat or fish? Great!
8. Make doggy smoothies and ice creams.
Delicious and refreshing: freeze some unsalted meat broth and turn it into an ice lolly. Or make a tasty smoothie with your faithful companion's favourite fruit.
9. Offer water from your hand.
Some dogs are difficult drinkers when out and about. Does your dog refuse to drink from his traveling bowl? Then he might drinks some water from your cupped hand.
How much water should my dog drink?
9 tips to get your cat to drink more
1. Don’t place the drinking bowl near the feeding bowl.
By nature, cats don’t like to drink where they eat or do their business, as this could contaminate their water. Therefore, always place the drinking bowl away from the cat litter tray or feeding bowl.
2. Place water bowls throughout the house.
This way, your pet can choose where to drink and it will come across several drinking possibilities while walking through the house.
3. Try a drinking fountain.
Cats are known to be attracted by the movement of flowing water, which is why they like to drink directly from the tap. A drinking fountain will therefore make your purring friend extra happy.
4. Refresh the water daily.
Sounds obvious but is often forgotten. Even if the drinking bowl is still almost full, you should change the water daily.
5. Fill the drinking bowl all the way up to the top.
In general, cats prefer to be able to drink without their whiskers touching the side of the bowl.
6. Experiment with different types of drinking bowls.
Try a wider drinking bowl. This will also ensure that your feline's whiskers don’t touch the side of the bowl.
7. Give your cat wet food.
Wet food contains 70-80% water and is therefore an easy way to get your cat to drink more.
8. Flavour the water.
Have you perhaps cooked chicken, fish or meat in some unsalted water? Perfect for your cat.
9. Try bottled water or fresh rainwater.
Cats can be fussy eaters and drinkers. Some cats don’t like the taste of tap water. Bottled water or fresh rainwater may be the solution.
