Healthy sip by sip - why water intake is so important

Schluck für Schluck gesund - warum die Wasseraufnahme so wichtig ist
Water is life – this applies to us as well as to our four-legged friends. Yet, the drinking habits of dogs and cats often receive too little attention. Daily water intake plays a crucial role in health, digestion, metabolism, and well-being. In this article, you'll learn how much water dogs and cats need, what you should keep in mind when it comes to bowl hygiene – and what tricks you can use to encourage even lazy pets to slurp.

How much water do dogs and cats need?

Daily fluid requirements depend on body weight, activity level, feeding, ambient temperature, and state of health.

As a guideline:

40–70 ml of water per kilogram of body weight per day

This means:

  • A 20 kg female dog needs approximately 1 to 1.4 liters of water per day.
  • A 4 kg cat needs approximately 200–280 ml – at least in theory.

However, the need can increase significantly, especially in summer temperatures or for active animals. Illnesses, fever, or certain medications can also affect water balance – as can stressful situations such as moving or long car journeys.

Cats are generally considered poor drinkers. This is no coincidence: They originally come from arid regions, where they met their fluid needs almost entirely through prey. This behavior is still in many of their genes today.

Food types influence thirst

A key point that is often underestimated: What ends up in the bowl has a direct influence on drinking behavior.
  • Dry food contains very little moisture. Therefore, water needs must be met almost entirely through drinking.
  • Wet food contains around 60–80% water – a large portion of the liquid is absorbed directly through the food.
  • BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) consists of fresh meat, vegetables, and organ meats and also has a moisture content of up to 80%. Dogs and cats fed a raw diet therefore often need less additional water – their bodies already get a large portion directly from their food.

A clear advantage for anyone who wants to feed their pets naturally while maintaining good hydration.

Important: The amounts given are guidelines – each animal is different. Factors such as activity level, age, climate, or health status can significantly alter their needs.

Why some animals prefer to drink outside

Many cats – and also some dogs – prefer to drink from a puddle in the garden rather than from the bowl next to their food bowl. This has its origins in natural behavior:

In the wild, cats don't drink where they eat to avoid contaminated water from leftover food. Even though breeding and domestication have changed a lot, this instinct is still active in many, especially in cats that have access to the outdoors or are very primitive.

Our tip: Don't place the water bowl directly next to the food bowl. It's better to have several drinking spots in quiet, easily accessible places in the home or garden.

Bowl hygiene – small but mighty

Sounds banal, but it's important:
A dirty or slimy bowl can really spoil your drinking.

Therefore:

  • Clean daily with warm water
  • It's best to use glass, stainless steel, or ceramic instead of plastic
  • Refill water 1-2 times a day
  • Offer a drinking fountain or running water if your pet prefers it

If they don't drink – here are our tips:

Cats, in particular, can't be forced – but a little tricking can help. This helps:

  • Lukewarm water instead of cold
  • Water available freely in several places
  • Moving water – e.g., drinking fountain

And our very own insider tip:

Beef or lamb bone broth.
The delicate aroma motivates even lazy animals – completely without artificial flavors or additives. Simply add a small splash (about one tablespoon) of the broth to the drinking water. This makes the bowl much more interesting – and also provides valuable nutrients like collagen and minerals.

Too much? Too little? When it gets tricky

If drinking behavior suddenly changes dramatically – up or down – it's worth taking a critical look. If your pet noticeably drinks large amounts several times a day, or hardly at all, this could indicate health issues.

-> If in doubt: Please contact a specialist or veterinarian.
It's better to ask too many questions than to miss important signals.

Conclusion
Whether it's a dog or cat – adequate fluid intake is a silent health factor that shouldn't be underestimated. Especially with dry food, it's worth keeping a close eye on drinking behavior. Those who feed fresh food – for example, following a BARF diet – benefit twice: more nutrients and, at the same time, more moisture in the food. And if your pet isn't drinking? Sometimes a small sip of bone broth can help – with big benefits.