Poor water intake can be concerning for dog parents. Puppies become dehydrated when they don’t drink enough water or if they lose too much water. Sick, pregnant, nursing, and older dogs in particular can get easily dehydrated, which is why their owners must ensure they sip water from time to time.
Dehydration is no simple matter because it can quickly lead to a fatal condition. One way to check for dehydration is to pinch the skin from the back of a puppy’s neck and lift it. After that, leave it and observe if the skin falls back into place immediately. In a case like this, the puppy is adequately hydrated.
However, if a puppy suddenly stops drinking water or significantly reduces water consumption, you have a reason to meet the vet asap. Dog insurance helps provide a puppy with superior health care during non-routine vet visits and emergencies.
With cheap pet insurance, a puppy is covered for basic health benefits at affordable costs. In contrast, the best pet policies cover a puppy for broader-ranging health conditions but are comparatively costly. So, one must weigh the benefits of various plans and assess the puppy’s health needs and budget before signing up for one.
Meanwhile, dog owners can read this article to know some reasons why dogs refuse to drink water.
1.Old age
Puppies drink less water as they get old. Perhaps, older dogs find it challenging to walk to another room to sip some mouthfuls of water or because their thirst and hunger instincts are diminishing over time.
Also, older dogs engage in significantly less physical activity compared to younger pups which could be one reason they don’t have the urge to drink water. Less exertion means less dehydration, so fewer cravings for water.
Even when older dogs exert less, dog owners should monitor their senior pets to ensure they are sipping sufficient water daily and aren’t deprived of it. Offering wet food can allow for some water intake that isn’t consumed from the water bowl.
2.Negative experience
Some puppies associate drinking water with negative experiences (suppose the puppy is adopted from an animal shelter), and others may not like the type of bowl or where it is placed. If the puppy is picky, the human parents should leave the bowl selection decision to their fur baby. Pay attention to the puppy’s preferences to clear the issues right away.
3.Stress and anxiety
One potential reason for a puppy not to drink water. For instance, a beloved family member leaving home for college or moved to a different place, there has been a death in the household, parting ways with a favorite person due to human parents’ divorce, moving to a new home, and several other emotionally devastating reasons can take a toll on a puppy’s appetite and thirst.
It is worth noting that dogs need double the water they usually drink on hot days or after vigorous exercise to stay hydrated. Puppy owners can offer water in the form of fresh fruit juices, dog-safe ice creams, and colas they can conveniently lick and sip to encourage drinking water.
However, if the puppy has decreased its water intake to almost nothing, it is a problematic situation. Head to the vet to seek treatment if you suspect chronic dehydration. Claiming unplanned vet bills can be easy with the online services most dog insurance providers offer.
Cheap pet insurance covers a puppy’s testing, treatment, and medication costs during unanticipated vet visits and medical emergencies. Consider buying a policy so that providing a puppy with quality medical care need not be a huge financial struggle.
