If you’ve ever had a dog, you’ll know how much they like to drink water. It’s almost as if they can sense when something’s not quite right with them and will seek out water wherever possible. However, there are instances where your dog might not want to drink water no matter what you do. This is especially true if your pooch has contracted some form of illness. If your dog begins refusing water or tries to avoid it, that could be a sign that something is not quite right with them. If this is the case with your furry friend, read on to learn more about how to get a sick dog to drink water and what to do when they get sick.
How To Get A Sick Dog To Drink Water?
Keep Them Active
One of the best things you can do to help your dog get over any illness it might be suffering from is to keep them active. If you’re not sure how to do this, you could always try getting them out for a walk. This will help strengthen their immune system and give them a chance to exercise.
Give Them Water
If your dog has been refusing water but is still thirsty, it might be a good idea to give them water in small quantities so that they don’t become dehydrated. However, if your pooch refuses water altogether, it might be a good idea to put them on an IV drip or get them checked out by their vet as soon as possible.
Keep Them Hydrated
If your dog has been refusing water and has not been given any other form of hydration, then it’s important that they are kept hydrated as much as possible. This means giving them plenty of water and making sure that they are drinking it.
Give Them A Treat
If you’re not sure how to get a sick dog to drink water, you could try giving them a little treat. This will make them more inclined to want to drink water, even if it’s only a little bit at first.
Give Them Something To Eat
If your pooch has been refusing all food, this might be because they have an illness, so it’s important that they eat something as soon as possible. You should also give them plenty of water until they start eating some food again. If your pooch is refusing all food, then you should take them straight to their vet as soon as possible just in case there is something wrong with their tummy or digestive system and they need treatment straight away. important that they are given something to eat. You could try giving them a little bit of food every few hours to see if this helps.
Get Them To The Vet
If your dog has been refusing water and has not been given anything else to eat, it might be a good idea to get them checked out by its vet as soon as possible. If they are suffering from an illness, then it’s important that they receive treatment right away in order to help them get better.
Why Does A Sick Dog Refuse Water?
Your Dog May Have A Fever
One of the main reasons a dog might not want to drink water is because they have a fever. A fever is an indicator that your pet’s body temperature is elevated and this can lead to a number of issues. When dogs have a fever, they may become irritable, sleepy, or dizzy. In addition, prolonged exposure to heat can cause your pooch’s body to sweat excessively which can lead to problems with their skin or paws.
Your Dog May Be Ill With Something More Serious Than Just A Fever
If your dog has been refusing water for more than 48 hours despite having a fever and other symptoms of illness, you should take them to the vet immediately. If you notice any signs of dehydration in your pooch and they refuse water, it could be a sign that something much more serious is going on with them than just having a hot-headed tummy!
Your Dog May Be In Pain
If your dog is refusing water for more than 48 hours and has been drinking nothing at all, there’s a good chance that they are in pain. If your pooch is in pain, it may not want to drink water because they are worried that it will make its pain worse. Also, if your dog has a fever or other symptoms of illness, they will probably be thirsty as well so it’s important that you provide them with water to help build up their strength and keep them hydrated.
Tips For Getting A Sick Dog To Drink Water
Offer Water
If your pooch is refusing water, you can try to get them to drink by offering them a bowl of water. This will make it easier for them to drink because they’ll be able to see the water before they take a sip. You can also try putting a towel around the bowl so that your dog has something to hold on to. If this doesn’t work, you might have to try harder and get them used to drinking from the bowl by offering it every day for at least 10 minutes.
Offer Water Through A Straw
If your dog is not willing or able to drink from a bowl, you could try getting them used to drinking through a straw. You could either use a large piece of paper or cut up an old plastic container into smaller pieces and put these over the bowl in order for your dog not to be able to see it too closely. Once they are used to drinking through a straw, ask them if they would prefer to drink from the bowl or the bowl with the straw placed over it. If they choose the latter, then you can try offering them water through a straw every day for at least 10 minutes.
Offer Water Through A Lick
If your dog is not willing to drink water through a straw, you could try getting them used to drinking through a lick. You can do this by using a small piece of paper, or even just a piece of tissue paper and placing it over the bowl. Once they have drunk from the bowl for 10 minutes, remove the paper and let them drink from it for another 10 minutes. When you remove the paper again, you can try offering water through a lick again for another 10 minutes.
Conclusion
If your dog is sick, you need to pay extra attention to its water intake. If your dog refuses water due to illness, it will not be able to hydrate itself the way it normally would. As a result, your dog’s health will likely begin to deteriorate significantly if they are not able to replenish its fluids quickly. Make sure you watch out for your dog’s water intake if they get sick. You want to make sure they are properly hydrated and able to fight off any potential illness.
