You’ve observed that your dog, who used to drink water consistently, is currently not willing to drink at all. This abrupt shift is worrisome and leads you to wonder about the potential causes for this change.

Well, the instant reason isn’t clear; your first impression would be to suspect his urinary system.

But what if I tell you that this symptom alone does not indicate any serious health issue?

Of course, a dog having good health should drink water according to his body weight (the dog’s size matter here), like one ounce per pound per day, and if he’s drinking less, this may indicate something wrong.

So today, we’re going to highlight why dogs may drink less than needed, what to do when you face this, and when to see your vet immediately.

So, let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

Top Reasons For Dogs Drinking But Not Peeing

Before discussing this further, you must clarify that a dog’s lack of thrust does not merely indicate any underlying health issues.

It’s only when the decrease in thrust co-occurs with diarrhea, dry nose, vomiting, lethargy, and loss of appetite, then he’s losing fluids.

Briefly speaking decrease in your dog’s thrust is usually:

Behavioral,
Change in the environment
Hotter or colder weather impacts, as a general rule

Let’s discuss the possible reasons for your dog not taking adequate fluids.

1. Change In the Weather

Upon Autumn’s arrival, many pets’ decreased water intake make their parents worrisome. But keep in mind that the weather can’t be the sole reason. The fact that your dog hasn’t had enough exercise is another reason.

2. Moving To a New Place

If you have moved to a new house, your dog’s eating-cum-drinking habits will change a bit, which may make you worry. But that’s perfectly normal; give him some time, like a couple of days, before he returns to routine.

This is because the dogs have extremely sharp-smelling senses, and a slight change in the water source may make them suspicious, describing it as unfit or dangerous. So the easiest solution is to bring a water bottle with you and offer it only when he refuses to drink from the new house.

3. Your Dog Is No Longer Young

adult man in a summer park with an old dog

Like humans, an older dog tends to drink less water in old age than younger dogs because, with senior dogs, the thrust and appetite receptors start to diminish. Another obvious reason is the lack of exercise that otherwise would have created a need to drink enough water.

So one way is to give more wet food so that his water needs are not compromised.

4. Bad Past Of The Dog

cute dogs in their houses waiting to be adopted

If you happen to adopt a dog from a shelter, he may not like the things he had to face at the shelter, like taking water from a familiar bowl or a similar place of the bowl. If your dog is reluctant to drink water from his bowl, you can try to change the bowl position or get him a new bowl and give him water other than what’s usually served at shelters.

5. Underlying Health Issues

close up on veterinarian taking care of dog

There can be many reasons for health issues that might hinder his ability to drink water. He may have Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), bladder infections, kidney failure, or similar Urinary system diseases. Similarly, he may be suffering from diabetes. Although we’re accustomed to hearing that diabetes only increases thrust and urination, in extreme cases, diabetes can diminish the thrust completely.

6. Injury Inside His Mouth

vicious dog showing teeth and biting hand

You need to check his gums for any injuries or inflammation in addition to skin elasticity. A healthy and hydrated dog’s gums feel moist, whereas dry gums, sunken eyes, and poor skin elasticity mean he isn’t well hydrated and needs immediate IV fluids insertion. Any sharp splinter, plastic, or stones might be stuck in his mouth, hindering the dog’s water intake and indicating a periodontal disease.

The dog can’t tell you if he’s having an issue taking water. Another reason might be any injury in his dry mouth while grabbing some solid things like metals or an object with spikes.

It may also include an injured tooth, which makes him avoid cold or hot fresh water due to tooth sensitivity.

7. Anxiety or Depression

The dog may be mourning its owner’s death, leaving a previous pet owner, or he’s too clingy and suffering from separation anxiety from being alone for many hours.

Home Remedies For Dogs Who Ain’t Drinking

1. Personally Offer Him Water

owner gave dogs the water from bottle to drink.

The simplest thing to do is to offer your dog water with your full involvement. Your curved hands joined together, pouring a bottle into his mouth, and directing a water hose into his mouth are a few options you must try.

2. Clean Or Replace His Water Bowls

puppy of little gray siberian husky dog smelling and taking water from rounded silver plate. furry, carried puppy looking at plate, playing . isolate on white. lovely pet.

The dog’s water bowl can be the culprit too.

Owing to the dog’s strong sense of smell, things foul in the water would immediately be detected, and he would refuse to drink from that bowl. The solution is to sanitize or better wash it thoroughly and then pour water.

3. Wet Food Is Another Option To Try

If he’s totally everting the liquid, you may try to give him wet food instead of dry kibble, which at least fulfills his water needs to some extent. Dry dog food sometimes extracts more water from the dog’s body because of the fats and sodium.

4. Fruit and Broth On To His Food Can Help

top view little cookies with grapefruit and apple on the brown wooden desk

If he refuses to take anything liquid, it’s time you try mixing his healthy diet with natural water, like fruits and broth.

In fruits, watermelon is the best for having the maximum amount of water than any other easily available fruit. Other treats like broth, and electrolyte lactose-free milk can be tried.

Medical Emergency: It’s Time To Get to The Vet’s

Suppose your dog’s no-thurst co-occurs with lethargic behavior, vomiting, complete appetite loss, or diarrhea. In that case, you need to consult your veterinarian immediately, as these signs of dehydration may indicate an issue with the dog’s health that must not be addressed immediately.

Your veterinarian will do blood work and urine analysis to see if he has diabetes.

If you don’t take him to a veterinarian, he may suffer from dehydration because dehydrated dogs can’t go long without water. So, prevent dehydration in dogs as much as possible but don’t wait too long when your dog is not taking water.

Do You Know?

On the contrary, if you notice an increase in the thrust of your dog, like start drinking more water and urinating more consistently for a few days, that needs immediate attention. Because that might be an indication of diabetes, kidney disease, other urinary problems, and internal organs issues. So if an increase in thrust is accompanied by other symptoms described above, like diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, and loss of appetite.

The Bottom Line

A dog peeing but not drinking is not a problem if the condition persists for a few hours or 1-2 days. But suppose either non-drinking is accompanied by vomiting, hunger, and other indications. In that case, you need to consult your veterinarian immediately, as a dog can’t go without water for more than two days.

has your puppy ever gone without drinking water but still peed? Share your dog’s story in the comments section below.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why does my dog keep peeing but not drinking?

There can be multiple problems, including simple issues like a change of place, smelly water bowls, weather change, or an indication of something serious like a bladder infection, injury, etc., for which you need to consult your veterinarian immediately.

What causes a dog to stop drinking water?

Bladder infections or UTIs are the main culprits of reduced water consumption.

When should I worry about my dog not drinking water?

When his not drinking is accompanied by loss of hunger, vomiting, or other unusual symptoms, you need to consult your vet immediately for the underlying cause.

Can dogs go through severe dehydration and still pee?

Yes, dogs still urinate when they go through severe dehydration.

Why is my dog not drinking water but eating

Your dog may have environmental reasons for this or medical reasons. Medical reasons include bladder or urinary tract infections.

The male dog is not drinking water but peeing

Both male and female dogs have problems if they aren’t drinking but peeing. It’s because of urinary tract infection, which is more common in females.

Why doesn’t my dog drink water and become lethargic?

If your dog isn’t drinking water and is lethargic, it’s time to consult a vet, as it may indicate a serious health issue like a UTI.

Dog eating wet food but not drinking water

For a day or two maximum, the dog is not drinking water but eating wet food; it’s fine and indicated that the reasons are environmental, like a change of place, the water smells, or other. But if the problem persists, consult your vet. People with pet insurance shouldn’t wait for things to get worse.

How to force a dog to drink water

Encourage him to drink water by offering a treat for this, or use your hands to show affection while he drinks. Keep your dog hydrated.

The dog won’t drink water but will eat ice

It can indicate that your dog feels hot due to the high temperature. You may try pouring cool water into his bowl.

Gastroenteritis dog not drinking water

If your dog has gastroenteritis, you need to take your dog to the emergency without any delay.

Why is Your Dog Not Drinking Water but Peeing?