Why won’t my dog drink water? 

If water is a necessity, why do some pups behave like desert creatures? The answers may be simpler than you think. Healthy dogs don’t drink enough water

for these common reasons:

Water hygiene

Although dogs often have questionable tastes (e.g., rolling on stinky things, snacking on poop), they are biologically designed to prefer fresh, clean drinking

water. Clean water is safer, healthier, and less demanding on the kidneys than tainted water because it contains no harmful contaminants for the body to filter

out. Serveyour pup their water in a wide and deep stainless steel or ceramic bowl. Because a dirty bowl canbecome a bacterial breeding ground, clean your

pup’s bowl atleast once per day and change the water two to three times per day.

Water location

Where you place your dog’s water bowl can positively or negatively affect their drinking habits. To determine the ideal locations for your dog’s water bowls,

consider these factors:

• Where your dog eats — Many dogs polish off their meal by taking a satisfying slurp from their water bowl. 
   
• How your dog moves — If chronic pain or illness compromises your dog’s mobility, place their water bowl in an easily accessible location
  that doesn’t require them to use the stairs or travel to an area of your house far away from where they usually hang out. In addition,
  if your dog has neck or back pain, consider serving their food and water in raised bowls.
   
• Where your dog plays — Physical activity can trigger thirst, so place a bowl within easy reach of your pet’s play area (e.g., by the door to the
  ard, inside the mudroom or entryway, near the backyard gate where you enter after a walk).
   
• How the area sounds and feels — If you place the water bowl near noisy, high-traffic, or odiferous areas (e.g., near a litter box or bathroom),
  you may discourage your dog from taking a drink. Move the water bowl to a central but quiet location that is free from sudden disruptions and bad odors.