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Refusing to Drink in Dogs
Written By hannah hollinger
Published: 05/25/2017Updated: 01/27/2022
Veterinary reviewed by Michele K.
What is Refusing to Drink?
Dogs need to stay well-hydrated, so a dog’s refusal to drink water might be cause for concern. You should expect your dog to drink water freely and enthusiastically several times a day. If your dog doesn’t drink for a day or more, and turns its head away when offered water, there is probably a problem. This could be related to your dog's age, medical condition or issue, or be a problem with the water itself.
Water is a basic health requirement. Dogs that go more than a day without drinking may become dehydrated, which is a dangerous condition that may require veterinary care.
Why Refusing to Drink Occurs in Dogs
Drinking water is a cornerstone of any dog’s health, and a disturbance in normal drinking patterns can indicate a wide variety of problems. It is not normal for a dog to refuse to drink.
Aging
While older dogs still need to drink water, and may have problems with staying hydrated, they may not want to use their decreasing energy to get to the water. Older dogs also may not feel as thirsty, as they typically exercise less, and might have an overall lower level of thirst. It may help your dog to provide meals with higher water content, such as switching to canned food instead of kibble.
Tainted Water
Dogs are very sensitive to their surroundings. They can detect odors and tastes that are imperceptible to most humans. If a dog suddenly refuses water, and does not appear to be distressed in any way, the water should be checked for abnormalities. It may be tainted in some way, such as with iron or dirt. Dogs need clean pure drinking water.
Dehydration
If your dog is panting or drooling more than usual, has red, dry, or sticky gums, problems with normal coordination, or skin that does not retain its normal moisture and elasticity, your dog may be suffering from dehydration.
Illness or Injury
While any illness may disrupt a dog’s normal consumption of food and water, urinary tract infections and oral injuries are sometimes more likely to turn a dog away from water.
Urinary tract infections usually begin in the urethra, then move up to the bladder, sometimes even infecting the kidneys. If your dog does not have a normal flow of urine, such as not being able to stand to urinate, or is holding his urine, has a compromised immune system, or has abnormal concentration of urine, they are more likely to develop a urinary tract infection, possibly leading to infection of the bladder and kidneys. Urinary tract infections are more likely to occur in female dogs, and especially in older female dogs. Symptoms include more frequent urination, urination in the house, painful urination, and blood in the urine. The pain of a urinary tract infection can cause a dog to refuse to drink water.
Oral injuries can include periodontal disease, tooth root abscess, dislocation, loss or fracture, or mouth cancer. Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection of the mouth and is very common. Both periodontal disease and tooth root abscess are typically related to poor oral hygiene, while tooth root abscess, dislocation, loss, or fracture occur when there is trauma to the teeth, such as the dog biting something hard enough to break a tooth. Mouth cancer is an abnormal growth in the mouth. Cancers can occur in dogs of any age, but are more likely in older dogs.
What to do if your Dog is Refusing to Drink
Every dog needs to drink water several times a day. This is one of the most basic necessities for a dog’s health. If your dog refuses to drink, your goal should always be for the dog to resume drinking, but your tactics will differ depending on the presumed cause. Issues of aging and clean water can usually be handled with common sense, but dehydration, urinary tract infections, and oral illness and injuries require immediate veterinary attention.
If your dog is geriatric, or showing signs of being in the later stages of life, you will need to be more proactive about making sure your dog drinks water regularly. Age is not experienced in the same way by every dog; for example, larger dogs tend to age more quickly than smaller dogs. If your dog is over 10 years old and is having increasing difficulty with normal movements, less tolerance for normal activity, and more health problems of all kinds, then he may be geriatric. A geriatric dog should have water kept closer, with ample opportunities given to drink and closer supervision. To avoid tainted or contaminated water, always make sure that your dog’s water is clean and pure. Wash the dog’s water bowl daily, and refill it with clean water at least once a day.
While a dehydrated dog should drink water or another dog-friendly oral rehydration fluid, it also may need more advanced interventions. If your dog shows signs of distress, they should be assessed by a veterinarian. Under a veterinarian’s supervision, the dog may receive fluid therapy, such as subcutaneous administration of lactated Ringer’s solution.
Urinary tract infections require a veterinarian’s immediate attention. If left untreated for any period of time, they can quickly worsen. They are typically treated with antibiotics. A tumor will require surgical removal. Sometimes a dog can develop a recurring condition, where the infection becomes resistant to an antibiotic, or comes back repeatedly. A urine culture may be needed in these situations.
Dogs with oral injuries of all kinds should also be under veterinary care. When you notice an oral abnormality of any kind, take your dog to the vet immediately. A broken tooth can develop an infection, and mouth cancer can be fatal if left untreated. A tooth root abscess can be initially treated by gently cleaning out the dog’s mouth with salt water, but a veterinarian must supervise the clearing of any kind of pus buildup. The dog’s teeth should be professionally cleaned, and tooth extraction will be required in more serious cases.
If a dog has dislocated or lost a tooth, oral surgery will be required, either to replace the tooth if possible, or to clean and suture the missing tooth’s socket. A tooth fracture will require a root canal, vital pulpotomy, or extraction of the tooth. Finally, as with any cancer, mouth cancer can be complicated to treat. The tumor may be removable by surgery, but the dog may also require radiation therapy.
Prevention of Refusing to Drink
To make sure your dog drinks water regularly, always have fresh pure water easily accessible. Your dog must never be left in a hot confined space, such as a locked car with the windows rolled up. Monitor your dog carefully to familiarize yourself with his regular habits of drinking and urination.
To avoid injuries to your dog’s teeth and mouth, don’t allow the chewing of sticks or other kinds of wood, as these may splinter in your dog’s mouth. Provide safe chew toys and have your dog’s teeth regularly cleaned by a professional. For early detection of mouth cancer, frequently inspect your dog’s mouth for any abnormalities, such as swelling, lumps, growth, and discoloration.
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Cost of Refusing to Drink
The cost of treating a dog’s refusal to drink depends on the cause. Making fluids more readily available to an aging dog costs nothing. Urinary tract infections might cost around $350 to treat. Tooth fractures, dislocation, or loss cost an average of $850. Tooth root abscess costs $1200 on average. The average cost of treating mouth cancer is $12,000.
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Refusing to Drink Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Mixed terrior
Twelve Years
7 found this helpful
7 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
She Won’T Her Food. Butshe Wil Ea Lunchmat. She S Not Drinking Water. I Have Been Giving Her Oral Peiatric Electrolyte
What should I do she yelps every time I try to open her month
Sept. 29, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
7 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. If she is not eating other than lunch meat and it hurts when you try to open her mouth, she may have a tooth that is infected and is causing her pain, or something else in her mouth that is bothering her. It would be best to have her seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine her, see what might be causing this problem, and get her treatment so that she feels better. I hope that all goes well for her.
Oct. 3, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
Labrador Retriever
Fifteen Years
11 found this helpful
11 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Not Drinking Water
Not really eating much and her water bowl is always fun These past 3 days but she hasn’t touched it. Still full.
Sept. 28, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
11 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
There are a number of things that might cause this problem in a 15 year old dog, and it would be best to have her seen by a veterinarian. They can examine her, may want to run some lab work, and will be able to find out what is going on with her.
I hope that she is okay.
Oct. 7, 2020
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husky mixed
13 weeks
4 found this helpful
4 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Refusing To Eat And Drink
shes refusing to drink will eat from my hand only she has had a episode of throwing up in Tuesday but since then she hasnt thrown up since tonight. but refused to drink water.
Sept. 26, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
4 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails.
Puppies are quite prone to parasites and infectious diseases, and It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get treatment for them.
Oct. 19, 2020
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American bulldog and terrier mix
Seven Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Vomiting, Lethargic
My dog started this morning off with throwing up bile and grass, then she threw up a pinkish/reddish (blood looking) with grass and specks of darker blood twice. She hasn’t thrown up since this morning but won’t eat or drink. I don’t know what to do.
Sept. 26, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay in my reply, this venue is not set up for urgent emails.
It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get any testing or treatment taken care of that might be needed.
Oct. 19, 2020
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Chihuahua
6 mo
3 found this helpful
3 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Won'T Drink Water
My dog hasn't been drinking water since I've began feeding her canned food this week.
Sept. 25, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
3 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay in my reply, this venue is not set up for urgent emails.
There is a lot of water in canned food, and your dog may not be thirsty if they are eating canned food. If you are still concerned, It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get any testing or treatment taken care of that might be needed.
Oct. 20, 2020
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Mixed
Raphael
4 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Diarrhea
Lethargy
Vomiting
Refuses To Drink Water
Seems To Struggle Standing U
Complete Loss Of Apet
So since it is 2020 the coronavirus has shutdown most countries around the world. The day before our shutdown someone who lives with us brought their dog back from my sisters home (they have a bigger yard but they wanted to bring the dog back because their 4 year old wants to play with him). Two days into the lockdown we realized that both dogs are ill and saw that it is cat flu (parvovirus) from today there are two days left before the vet is open and we can consult them. My dog is severely sick and seems dehydrated and getting worse while their dog has started getting better(they gave him water with charcoal powder). What can I do to rehydrate my dog and get him to start recovering for these two days before something might happen to him
Yorkie
Jodi
6 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Scared, Staring At Bowl Water,
Jodi is my 6 year old teacup yorkie, for some reason, I dont know, she is scared of drinking water out of the bowl, she will drink spilled water on the floor or if I put my and in the bowl she will drink water, and I can see she was thirsty. But she is scared to drink water as she did before. I am at work most of the day, cant give her water during the day. I have tried different bowls, but she just stares at it.
Shih Tzu
Missy
11 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Loss Of Thirst
Hello, my dog is having trouble drinking water. She experienced a reoccurrence in HGE last week, and what really made us take her to the vet is when she stopped drinking water after 3 days. I took her back to the doctor and they believe that she is experiencing HGE again, but we caught it in the early stages. They gave her an IV and prescription meds. When she got home, she took a few sips of water and after that day she stopped. I've been mixing water with her food and also giving her Pedialyte. I took her back to the vet and they stated that she is just being picky and it may just be her "preference" now. I switched her diet to a science diet and the only way she eats it is if I add bacon or boil chicken. I noticed that a few times i've put it in her face she would take a few sips and turn her head. She is a pretty happy dog and acts normal. She does have anxiety which I feel behavior can be a factor. Please help
Labrador Retriever
Lux
10 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Loss Of Appetite
Loss Of Consciousness
Loss Of Mass
Refuses Food
Refuses Water
Refusing to drink or eat and uncontrollable bowels. Our 10 year old lab is refusing to eat or drink. She hasn’t had more than a cup of food in 2 weeks. And drinks a little water rarely (once every 2 days) but always throws it up. She cannot control her bowels. Will try to go outside but nothing comes out and then will go accidentally in the house. We’ve taken her to the vet and they cannot find anything medically wrong with her. Is she just stressed out and making herself worse or is she geriatric? These symptoms just started a couple weeks ago but are not getting Better. We have tried everything, new dry dog food, new canned food, pumpkin, egg, milk, broth, peanut butter, cheese, pedalyte, etc. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Boxer
Reba
3 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Refusal To Drink After Spay Surgery
Our 3year old dog was spayed on Thursday. She spent the night at the vet (per their protocol) and since she came home she has been refusing to drink from her water bowl. The vet sent us home with Meloxicam compound syringes and we gave them to her the first two days after she got home but have since stopped those yesterday in hopes that she will want to drink but so far it hasn’t made a difference. They also gave us Trazadone for pain but we have never given them to her. Her temperament is great and she doesn’t act like she is in any pain at all. She will drink water from a medicine syringe and lick ice cubes without any hesitation (and we are adding water to her wet food per the vet’s suggestion) but absolutely refuses to drink water from her bowl. She almost seems afraid of it. This is a complete opposite from the way she was prior to surgery. We used to have to distract her so she would stop drinking or she would drink so much she would become erpy and vomit it back up. She will eat but not the same amount as prior to surgery. Our vet says this is normal and may take a little longer for her to work back up to her pre-surgery portions. What’s so confusing to us is that her food and water bowls are identical- both are pink plastic bowls. We have tried everything we know to get her to drink from her water bowl- changing the bowl, raising both the new bowl and the old bowl off of the ground, we’ve tried bottled water, tap water, etc and nothing seems to make a difference. The vet also checked her incision today and said that it looks great, her temperature is good, and she is not dehydrated because we have been giving her enough water with the syringes and the wet food. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!
