Why water?

About 60% to 80% of your pet’s body is made up of water. It dissolves substances—like food—and carries nutrients through the body. Almost all of the processes and chemical reactions that keep the body running, including digestion and circulation, rely on water.

Water helps the body to filter out waste, and it regulates body temperature through evaporation. Dehydration can cause serious problems, including kidney and heart damage.

What should you do?

Make sure that your pet always has a clean bowl of fresh water. For small animals like pocket pets, a bottle of water works best. If your pet spends time outdoors, be sure to put bowls of water indoors and outside.

How much water does your pet need?

Every day, most pets should drink 28 milliliters (one ounce) of water for every pound they weigh. This means that a 40-pound dog needs about one liter (about one quart) of water every day; a 10-pound cat needs about one-fourth of a liter (approximately one cup).

You don’t really need to measure every drop of water you give to your pet. Most healthy animals that have access to clean water will drink what they need.

What if your cat or dog becomes dehydrated?

For more information Dehydration Signs of Dehydration in Dogs Time Warp: Dog Drinking Water video from the Discovery Channel Water: It’s Essential

If you’re worried that your pet isn’t drinking enough water, or if you see signs of dehydration like sunken eyes or dry gums, take your pet to the veterinarian. If your pet is dehydrated, your veterinarian can administer intravenous fluids and—just as important—find out what caused the problem.