How to make your dog drink slower

This guide will provide you with everything you need to know if your dog drinks water too fast. Here’s what you need to know.

While most dog owners find it hard to make their dogs drink an adequate amount of water for hydration, some struggle with getting their dogs to stop drinking water too quickly.

This problem may seem inconsequential, but it isn’t. After all, when it’s consumed in excess, drinking water too fast can negatively impact your dog’s health. So we’re here to help you tackle this issue.

Before scrolling down this guide “My Dog Drinks Water Too Fast – What Should I Do,” check out these helpful dog questions: What Does It Mean If My Dog Keeps Swallowing and Why Does My Dog Stand On My Chest?

• Why Does Your Dog Drink Water Too Fast?
  • 1. Diet
  • 2. Weather Changes
  • 3. Behavioral Issues
  • 4. Underlying Health Issues
• Adverse Effects From Drinking Water Too Fast
  • 1. Bloating
  • 2. Aspiration Pneumonia
  • 3. Hyperhydration
  • 4. Vomiting
• How To Slow Down Your Dog’s Drinking
  • 1. Add Ice Cubes to Their Water Bowl
  • 2. Limit The Water Supply
  • 3. Place A Large Object In Their Water Bowl
  • 4. Use an Elevated Water Bowl
• Conclusion For “Dog Drinks Water Too Fast – What Should I Do”

Why Does Your Dog Drink Water Too Fast?

Drinking water too fast is natural for dogs. However, that doesn’t mean it’s a wise move on their part. By drinking water too quickly, dogs take in a significant amount of air into their stomach, which can prove fatal for them in the long run.

Suppose you notice your dog drinking too much water or drinking water at a faster pace than usual. In that case, it’s best to consult a doctor who can appropriately diagnose the root cause of increased water consumption.

Some reasons may include:

• Your dog’s diet
• Weather changes
• Behavioral issues
• Underlying health problems

Let’s look at each of these in detail.

1. Diet

Diet plays a vital role in triggering water consumption. For example, an all-dry food diet may be the reason for excessive water consumption.

A high amount of sodium in your dog’s diet may also increase their thirst, which is why you shouldn’t feed too much ‘people’ food to your dogs.

While it’s natural to want to share what you eat with your dog, a dog’s immune system is different from yours. So feeding them regular food can harm them.

2. Weather Changes

Changes in the weather impact dogs in several ways. While some dogs may give in to lethargy, other dogs get hyperactive.

In summer, dogs tend to get dehydrated, which results in higher water consumption. You may assume this will change in winter, but if your house is insulated or heated, your dog may be as thirsty on a cold winter day as it was on a hot summer afternoon.

3. Behavioral Issues

Some dogs may drink too much water too quickly because they’re bored and have nothing else to do. Your dog may even drink water too quickly just because it likes drinking water. Your dog’s water consumption may even be a result of not getting enough attention from its owner.

4. Underlying Health Issues

Many times excessive water consumption is a side effect of underlying health conditions. Medication used to treat certain health conditions can make dogs crave water and drink it in copious amounts to curb their thirst.

Make sure to go through your dog’s medication with your vet and look for possible side effects which may be causing it to drink more water. Sometimes, a lower dosage or a different drug can help prevent unhealthy water consumption.

Related: Rare Dog Diseases Every Owner Should Know.

Adverse Effects From Drinking Water Too Fast

Drinking water too fast has various health risks for your dogs. Some of them are:

1. Bloating

By drinking water too quickly, your dog may ingest large amounts of air which can cause bloating. Most cases of bloating subside with time. However, bloating caused by the overconsumption of water may be fatal for your dog if left untreated for long. Early treatment of bloating can prevent a twisted stomach, potentially saving your dog’s life.

If bloating hasn’t worsened and caused gastric conditions, you may be able to curb it by decreasing your dog’s water intake. However, in extreme cases, you may have to visit your veterinarian and work out a treatment plan which can include surgery.

2. Aspiration Pneumonia

Some of it may end up in their lungs when dogs drink water too fast. This can restrict airflow. Without oxygen, the delivery of oxygen cells in the body becomes constricted and fatal for canines.

3. Hyperhydration

Drinking less water than required causes dehydration in dogs but drinking more water can also adversely affect our canine’s health.

Excessive drinking is commonly referred to as hyperhydration. While you can treat dehydration issues by increasing your dog’s water intake, hyperhydration is much more complex to treat and diagnose.

Ingesting too much water can cause the body to lose too much sodium too quickly. As a result, the cells in your dog’s body become filled with water and swell. When this swelling reaches the brain, it can potentially impact the nervous system and be fatal.

Some symptoms to look out for include:

• Bloating
• Lethargy
• Loss of coordination
• Seizures
• Difficulty breathing

4. Vomiting

Excessive drinking or eating may result in vomiting. Vomiting can cause dehydration and nutrient deficiency. The problem becomes complex when you try to combat these side effects.

A sufficient intake can only cure dehydration of fluids. Since drinking water too fast results in vomiting, this can become an unhealthy cycle. Don’t worry. There are steps that you can take to address this.

How To Slow Down Your Dog’s Drinking

If you notice your dog drinking water too fast, try these methods which can help discourage the behavior:

1. Add Ice Cubes to Their Water Bowl

Ice cubes tend to cause a mess on the floor, so make sure to add them to your dog’s water bowl when trying to curb your dog’s water consumption.

By distracting them with a floating toy in their bowl, you can slow down their drinking. However, keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t swallow the ice cubes whole.

Remember to take the weather into account as well. For example, while ice cubes can be a welcome treat in the summer, adding them during cold weather can do more harm than good.

2. Limit The Water Supply

Limiting your dog’s water supply requires you to be alert and attentive. If you’re someone who isn’t around often enough to do this, try this method as a last resort. Start with a smaller water bowl or fill the current water bowl only halfway.

You can fill the bowl slowly and reduce water consumption by unnoticeable increments each day. However, taking small steps is vital. You don’t want to change your dog’s water consumption and risk dehydration suddenly.

3. Place A Large Object In Their Water Bowl

Placing a large object in your dog’s water bowl restricts dogs’ movements. As opposed to having free rein over their water consumption, they now have to lap around the object, which will result in slower drinking. Make sure that the object you place in the bowl is big enough, so it doesn’t become a choking hazard.

When using these three methods, remember that it may take time before you notice considerable changes in your dog’s drinking habits so remember to be patient. If you want to see quick results, you can look into using an elevated water bowl.

4. Use an Elevated Water Bowl

When dogs drink water, they have to stretch and drink against gravity, resulting in them taking huge gulps of water and air. An elevated water bowl can solve this issue effectively.

Since an elevated water bowl rests a few inches off the ground, it lessens the fight against gravity and can even reduce bloating. It works best for adolescent and large dogs or dogs with long legs or necks.

Of course, instead of purchasing an elevated water bowl, you can also put your dog’s bowl on an elevated platform. It should work just as well.

Dog Bowl Recommendations: Best Dog Bowls Made in the United States and Best No Spill Dog Water Bowls.

If your dog is drinking water too quickly, it may cause concern. As a responsible pet owner, you don’t want to take any chances.

Before you jump on Google for possible reasons and solutions, consider possible signs. It’s best to consult a veterinarian who can rule out any serious medical issues for your dog’s behavior. Once you know that the issue isn’t life-threatening, you can try any of the suggestions in this article.

If this guide, “My Dog Drinks Water Too Fast – What Should I Do,” helped you, you should check out these questions:

• Why Does My Dog Stretch So Much?
• Why Is My Dog Hyper At Night?
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