Puppies will often have no less than one or two unusual behaviors. While a quirk here and there will likely be considered cute, there are occasions when these unusual behaviors can raise concern. Considered one of these behaviors is a puppy obsessing over water.
Most puppies will probably be obsessive about water just because they enjoy fiddling with it. Nevertheless, occasionally obsessively drinking water might be
an indication of tension or a medical issue in puppies.
In this text, we will probably be explaining all the possible the explanation why a puppy becomes obsessive about water. We can even be answering another commonly asked questions from puppy owners about their puppies’ water-drinking habits.
Let’s dive right in!
Also Read: 7 Tricks To Get Dog To Drink Water
4 Primary Causes of Puppies Obsessing Over Water
There are about 4 possible the explanation why puppies obsess over water.
More often than not water obsessions in puppies are an indication that they simply enjoy playing within the water. Nevertheless, resource guarding, anxiety, and a medical problem could all potentially be the reason behind this unusual behavior as well.
Listed below are the 4 major causes of water obsessive behavior in puppies.
1. Your Puppy Likes Playing within the Water
Many puppies enjoy splashing and playing within the water. This often includes licking and laying within the water as well. Playing in water is a reasonably normal behavior in puppies, especially if their breed typically loves the water. Labs, Golden Retrievers, and Newfoundlands are all great examples of water-loving dog breeds.
The one time when this could raise concern is in the event that they develop resource-guarding behavior across the water. Similarly, this cause won’t result in puppies obsessively drinking water or showing signs of maximum thirst.
Any signs of tension around this water obsessive behavior suggest that considered one of the opposite causes is admittedly the perpetrator as well.
2. Your Puppy is Hoarding a Resource
Puppies will sometimes hoard vital resources when there may be competition for them. That is mostly seen with food and treats, but it may well sometimes include resource-guarding water as well.
There are several different signs of resource-guarding behavior that puppy owners should concentrate on. More often than not a dog will growl or react aggressively each time any animal or person approaches that resource. Similarly, many dogs that feel the necessity to hoard water will gulp down the entire bowl before anyone else can get to it.
Resource guarding is an anxiety-driven behavior in dogs. This issue mainly occurs once they feel as if their vital resources might be taken away at any moment by an individual or one other animal.
This issue is mostly seen in homes with multiple dogs or children that prefer to tease dogs by taking things away from them. Luckily, there are methods you’ll be able to reduce this problem with training.
3. Your Puppy is Anxious
Anxiety can occasionally cause a dog to turn out to be obsessive about water.
Nevertheless, it is way less common that the opposite causes mentioned. Often, a dog will do that once they are experiencing anxiety as a strategy to address their stress. Most anxious dogs will exhibit other symptoms along with obsessive behaviors.
Some signs of tension to look out for in dogs include:
- Excessive panting and drooling
- Anxious body language (whites of eyes showing, hair standing on end, ears pinned back, etc.)
- Excessive barking, whining or howling
- Destructive behaviors similar to chewing or digging
- Restless behaviors like pacing or excessive licking
4. Your Puppy has a Health Issue
There are a selection of health issues that would potentially cause increased thirst and urination in puppies. So, in case your puppy is drinking tons of water then it’s an excellent idea to take them to the vet.
This is particularly true if the behavior occurs suddenly and is unusual.
How Much Water Should a Puppy Drink in a Day?
As an entire, puppies need more water every day than adult dogs do.
Here’s a helpful chart explaining how much water a puppy needs per day. This chart is relevant as much as a 12 months to a 12 months and a half in age depending in your dog’s breed.
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Amount of Water Needed Day by day |
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The final guideline that it is best to follow is giving your puppy either half an oz or one ounce of water per pound in body weight. As your puppy ages into an adult dog, they are going to likely not have to drink this much water anymore.
Many things can go into how much water a puppy needs on a given day. For instance, puppies will likely have to drink more on hot days and after a whole lot of physical activity. Giving your puppy more water in these moments is very important as it’ll prevent dehydration.
Puppy Water Schedule
Some puppy owners may find it helpful to follow a water drinking schedule for his or her puppy. A puppy water schedule should slot in well with feeding times and potty breaks.
Here’s a basic example of a watering schedule for a 20-pound 8-week-old puppy. The owner wakes up between 6 and seven o’clock within the morning and goes to bed at 11 o’clock at night.
Morning
Between 6 and seven am: The owner wakes up and takes their puppy out for a fast potty break. After they get back inside, the owner feeds the puppy their breakfast and offers them around 5 ounces of water. It’s an excellent idea to get one other 5 ounces of water right into a bowl for later in the event that they drink all of it.
9 am: After some morning playtime, take your puppy out for a fast potty break. While you get back inside, offer your puppy some water from their bowl in the event that they haven’t drunk any already. Should you are restricting water attributable to excessive drinking, offer the water now.
11 am: One other two hours, one other potty and water break. Remember, even just just a little water every couple of hours is high-quality.
Afternoon
1 pm: Take your puppy for a potty break, then give them some water again. Now may be an excellent time to feed your puppy lunch if vital.
3 pm: Potty and water break again. It’s possible you’ll have to replenish the water bowl again. Pouring 5 more ounces of water will show you how to keep track of how much your puppy is drinking.
Evening
5 pm: Potty break and offer some water. Remember, your puppy doesn’t have to drink a whole lot of water every time.
7 pm: Potty break then feed dinner. Most puppies prefer to drink water while eating their meal, especially when eating dry food.
8-9 pm: Since you might be potty training your puppy, restrict food and water until the morning.
11 pm: Last potty break then go to bed.
Remember, puppies can have a wide selection of water intake. They don’t have to drink a ton of water every time it is obtainable to them. So long as your puppy is drinking no less than half an oz of water per pound of weight, they needs to be high-quality!
Should You Let Your Puppy Drink Every time They Want?
Most puppies instinctively know once they are thirsty and wish to drink water. Because of this, it’s an excellent idea to all the time have water available to them in the course of the day. This is particularly true on hot days and on days once they are engaging in numerous physical activity.
Knowing how much water you might be putting into your puppy’s bowl can show you how to keep track of how much they’re drinking. For instance, putting 5 ounces of water into the bowl every time might be an excellent idea for a big or medium-breed puppy.
There are only a few times when puppy owners should restrict their puppy’s water intake.
The primary is at night during potty training with a view to prevent accidents.
The second is when you fear your puppy could make themselves sick from drinking an excessive amount of water. It will be significant that you simply visit a vet when you are frightened about your puppy over-drinking.
Should You Restrict Water for Your Puppy at Night?
Restricting your puppy’s water intake a number of hours before bed might be really useful during potty training, especially early on. Doing this can help prevent your puppy from having an accident or crying to make use of the toilet overnight. It’s an excellent idea to do that with food during potty training as well.
A very good rule of thumb to follow is to restrict your puppy’s water intake around 2 to three hours before you go to bed.
That is secure so long as your puppy gets access to water within the morning shortly after waking up. So, when you go to bed at 10 o’clock at night, it’s an excellent idea to stop giving your puppy water somewhere between 7 and eight.
Signs of Dehydration in Puppies and Why You Should At all times Look Out for Them
It will be significant for each dog owner to be knowledgeable of the signs of dehydration in dogs.
Listed below are a few of the symptoms to look at out for:
- A dry nose and eyes
- Thick, sticky saliva
- Sunken-looking eyes
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Excessive panting
- A reduced appetite
- Reduced skin elasticity
Most of those symptoms are pretty straightforward, but reduced skin elasticity might have some further explanation. Should you pick up a little bit of your puppy’s skin and it falls back into place immediately, then your puppy is probably going high-quality. Nevertheless, in case your puppy’s skin continues to be standing up after removing your hand, this can be a sign that they’re experiencing fairly severe dehydration.
In case your puppy is simply showing signs of very mild dehydration, then giving them some water to drink will likely get them back to normal. Nevertheless, it’s also an excellent idea to call your vet for further advice when you suspect that their dehydration is severe.
How Much Water Should a Puppy Drink During Potty Training?
Puppies needs to be given as much water as is really useful in line with their body weight in the course of the day. Nevertheless, it’s best to limit their access to water a number of hours before bedtime to forestall them from having an accident. It is a rule that is simply vital during potty training.
Restricting access to water a number of hours before bed is useful since it prevents them from having a full bladder. This is particularly true for puppies which might be under three months old. Puppies this young won’t have the ability to carry their bladder overnight in the event that they have water right before bed.
