When Do Labrador Retrievers Need To Change Their Diet
Not all aging Labradors will need to switch to a senior diet when they hit the age of seven. If your canine is still active and playful, there is no need to change their food. However, many elderly pets will need to switch to a special diet eventually. What diet they need to be switched to depends on a lot of variables, however.
How Important Is Water To Dogs
I know what youre thinking, put some water out for your German Shepherd and it will take care of itself, right?
Well, yes and no.
Like humans, water is the main component of healthy living cells in a dogs body.
Not only do they get this water by lapping up drinking water from a bowl, bucket or fountain, but also from the food they eat which contains moisture and H20.
A German Shepherd not getting enough water from both of these sources is at risk of dehydration.
What Kind Of Snacks Can I Feed My Dog With Kidney Disease
Our dogs walk a bit on the wild side when it comes to snacks as they love thin apple slices, banana chunks, carrots, whole unsalted peanuts in the husks, and dehydrated sweet potatoes! Dogs with kidney disease should avoid meat based chews/treats that are high in phosphorus, so you may find that you need to explore doing friendly fruit and veggies for treats like we have. We still on occasion will offer Hooch bully sticks or a jerky treat, but it is better for him if we limit his intake due to the levels of phosphorous that those treats contain.
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Fear & Negative Experiences
Dogs learn by association. If they experience fright or pain, they typically associate those negative feelings with the circumstances in which they first experienced them. If your dog has had a bad experience while drinking from the water bowl, for example someone accidentally stepped on his tail or paw, he may associated those negative accidents with the action of drinking. To remove the fear of drinking, you can try to use a new water bowl or you can try to put his water bowl in a different place.
Water Dogs These Dog Breeds Love Water
Some dogs love splashing in the water in summer, fetching and retrieving. Others would rather stay dry and on solid ground. Discover the who’s who of water dogs with our guide.
Not all dogs love aquatic adventure to the equal degree. Some will stay away from water, whether that means beach, pool, lake or river. Meanwhile, other dog breeds seem to be born to make a splash. Find out which dogs are 100% water dog breeds, and will gladly join you for wet-and-wonderful swim and play days all summer long. Oh, and speaking of summer dont forget to also check our best tips for keeping your dog cool.
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Why Is Your Dog Thirsty
Many things can affect how much your dog drinks, from weather to activity level to diet.
Common sense should be your guide when it comes to your dog’s thirst. If your canine companion is drinking so excessively you’re noticing the change, it’s probably time to talk to your vet who, with a few tests, can get at the root cause of your dog’s increased thirst.
In the meantime, a few reasons why your dog might be unusually thirsty include:
Medication
Just as with people, some drugs can lead to excessive thirst in your dog, including:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs like prednisone, which may be used to treat many conditions in dogs, including asthma, allergies, and inflammatory bowel disease.
- Heart failure drugs, such as furosemide, lead to increased urine production and a compensatory increase in thirst.
- Seizuremedications like phenobarbital may have side effects that include excessive thirst and urination, as well as excessive appetite.
Diet
A dry food diet — which may be as little as 5%-10% water — can also lead to noticeable thirst in your dog. High sodium foods will also cause your dog to drink more.
Large amounts of salt can be poisonous to your pet, so avoid sharing highly salty “people” food with your dog. Signs your dog may have eaten too many sodium-rich treats include tremors, diarrhea, depression, and vomiting.
German Shepherd Dog Not Drinking Enough Water
If your German Shepherd Dog is not drinking enough water, then your German Shepherd Dog is at risk of dehydration, and the problems that come with dehydration.
Problems that come with your German Shepherd Dog not drinking enough water include urinary tract issues like kidney stones and organ failure.
Your German Shepherd Dog may be drinking less water than usual because of the following reasons:
- Your German Shepherd Dog has limited access to fresh clean water.
- You changed your German Shepherd Dog`s food from
- You changed your German Shepherd Dog`s water source
- The weather is cooler than it used to be
- Your German Shepherd Dog is less active than it used to be
- Your German Shepherd Dog is growing old
If none of these applies to your German Shepherd Dog, then it might be that your German Shepherd Dog has an underlying health condition and you might want to talk to your vet.
Also, your German Shepherd Dog may drink less water if it does not have access to clean fresh water always.
Some dogs are picky drinkers, and they won`t drink water that is not fresh or water with dirt and debris in it.
If your German Shepherd Dog is a picky drinker as such, then you should consider getting your German Shepherd Dog a water fountain like one of these. A water fountain will entice your German Shepherd Dog to drink water. With a water fountain, you can be sure that your German Shepherd Dog will have access to fresh clean water always.
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Tips On Providing Your German Shepherd Clean Water
You now know how much water a German Shepherd needs, but how can you properly ensure that theyre drinking the right water? To provide and encourage them to drink enough, here are some tips to follow:
Learn more about the necessary food and nutrition a German Shepherd needs in this helpful video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9xOU5C8XUw
What Are The Factors To Consider When Adjusting The Amount Of Water For Your German Shepherds Intake
- Weather and Climate
- Age and Weight
Now, lets discuss each one in detail.
- Weather and Climate- If the weather and climate are really hot, it can affect your German Shepherd adversely and your four-legged friend may be prone to diseases like sunburn or heat stroke. Also, their paws will get burnt if they stay outside in hot weather for a long period of time. Therefore, your German Shepherd will drink lots of water to make up for their increased thirst due to heat.
- Diet- The dog food given to your German Shepherd will determine the appropriate water intake for him.
- Activity- Simple and Straightforward Rule of Thumb- More activities, more water requirements. Fewer activities, less water consumption.
- Health Issues- Health conditions such as polydipsia, kidney failure, and diabetes mellitus may cause an increase in water intake by your German Shepherd.
- Age and Weight- Old age German Shepherds just like the other large dogs, tend to consume more amount of water as compared to younger or lighter German Shepherds.
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What To Look For In A Drinking Fountain
A drinking fountain can be a great way to get your dog to drink more water. Electric water fountains keep the water constantly flowing, making them more similar to a stream or river a dog might find in nature. This means the water is more interesting and, because of fountains filtration systems, cleaner. The combination can coax even reluctant drinkers into better hydration.
When youre choosing a fountain for your German Shepherd, here are some features to look for in the product descriptions and reviews:
- Material: Although plastic is more affordable, metal, glass, and ceramic are better for minimizing grime.
- Ease of Cleaning: How many parts and difficult angles does it have? Can it go in the dishwasher?
- Size: For a large dog like a German Shepherd, youll want a fountain that can hold a lot of water.
- Noise: Check reviews for how noisy the sound of the water is, if thats important to you.
- Pump longevity: Check the reviews to see if customers mention the pump dying. If the company offers a warranty, thats a good sign youll be able to replace the pump if it breaks.
What Is Psychogenic Polydipsia In German Shepherds
When there is no reason for the increased water intake, the condition is known as psychogenic polydipsia. In this case, veterinarians have run tests for diseases that commonly cause increased drinking and have not found a cause.
Sometimes dogs do things like drink excessive water because of a fascination with water itself, as an attention-getter, or out of boredom. When circumstances like this are the case, your dog needs more stimulation that they are not currently getting.
Many are surprised to learn that dogs can develop obsessive-compulsive behavior, just as humans can. A fascination with water can be a part of this, including compulsively drinking water.
Pet Assure describes compulsive behaviors as being repetitive and without purpose. A veterinary examination will help rule out contributing conditions.
Although veterinarians can prescribe drugs that address this type of behavior, sometimes deterrence works best. A spray bottle or air horn when the dog has lingered at the water bowl for too long can break up their fixation with their water.
In many cases, dogs start to see a connection between drinking more water and being let out to go to the bathroom more. Increasing the amount of time your puppy is outside during breaks can help minimize this behavior.
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Why Do German Shepherds Drink A Lot Of Water
Water plays an important role with temperature regulation and a German Shepherds overall ability to function. And so as large and active dogs, German Shepherds tend to lose a lot of water from their bodies throughout the day. This then causes them to get thirsty and rehydrate.
Simply put, German Shepherds drink a lot of water simply because they need to.
How Much Water Should A 18
The average weight of 18-week-Old German Shepherd Dog is 38 pounds .
Learn how much 18-week-Old German Shepherd Dog should weigh here.
A 38-pound German Shepherd Dog should drink 58.4 ounces of water every day.
German Shepherd Dog are generally high-activity dogs, and about 58.4 ounces is the amount of water a High Activity Level 38-pound German Shepherd Dog needs every day.
However, if your 38-pound German Shepherd Dog is a low-activity dog, then it will need about 29.2 ounces of water every day.
Similarly, if your 38-pound German Shepherd Dog is of medium activity, then it will need about 43.8 ounces of water every day.
Use our German Shepherd Dog dog water calculator to find out how much water German Shepherd Dog should drink at different weights.
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If My Dog Wont Drink Water Can My Dog Drink Milk
At puppy age, many animals produce the lactase enzyme, responsible for decomposing the lactose. After the breastfeeding period, many dogs lose this particular enzyme and are not able to metabolize lactose anymore.
Good to know: Therefore itâs important to stop feeding your dog milk as soon as he is no longer a puppy!
Symptoms of lactose intolerance:
- Diarrhea
- Flatulence
Fermented products, such as hard cheese, yogurt or buttermilk, contain a smaller amount of lactose. Due to this reason, they are less harmful.
During the fermentation process, various supplements such as bacteria are added to the milk, which turns the lactose into a more digestible form.
Some dogs will tolerate milk better. This category includes mostly livestock guardian dogs, since milk were often the only ones available. In case you wish to feed your dog milk, in addition to water , make sure to choose a lactose-free milk.
Pioneer Pet Stainless Steel Fountain
This fountain earns its spot as our choice for its attractive design and material. Because its made out of stainless steel, it doesnt accumulate as much bacteria as plastic and is healthier for your pet. Reviews also report that unlike plastic fountains, this stainless steel one doesnt develop a slimy film. Plus its dishwasher-safe.
We like the design of this fountain. The water comes out in a small pool at the top then flows down a small water slide into the main bowl. So dogs can drink either out of the bowl or directly from the moving water.
Another plus for this fountain is the size. The largest size holds 96 ounces, making it a good size for a German Shepherd. Some reviews mention that lining up the parts during assembly is difficult, but many report that their dogs enjoy it and seem to be drinking more water.
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Theyre Eating Too Much Dry Food
If youre feeding your german shepherd dry food, then, believe it or not, this can also make them thirstier. Just the fact that the food doesnt have much water in it means that your German Shepherd will have to drink more to make up for it.
Also, if youre feeding your german shepherd food from your plate, you should make sure its not high in salt as this can also dehydrate them.
How Much Water Do German Shepherds Need
In general, dogs need to drink at least an ounce or about 0.3 liters of water per pound of body weight daily.
Meaning, a German Shepherd male that weighs an average of 71 to 88 pounds will generally drink 71 to 88 ounces or 2 to 2.6 liters of water per day.
While a female German Shepherd that weighs an average of 62 to 70 pounds will drink 62 to 70 ounces or 1.8 to 2 liters.
That said, these numbers may increase as water intake isnt based on weight alone.
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Why Is My German Shepherd Not Eating Anything
German shepherds are big dogs, so its easy for them to completely swallow something they shouldnt, Check all their toys to make sure that a part of them hasnt gone missing. And look at anything else in your house your german shepherd can get too which they may have eaten. Why Is Your German Shepherd Not Eating?
Your German Shepherd may have also eaten something poisonous whilst roaming in the garden or fields. Dogs are known for eating anything they can find that has been left lying around or even getting into the garbage!
Your Dog Wont Drink Water Top 5 Reasons Why & What You Can Do
Having issues with your dog drinking water? Discover why this might be the case and what you can do about it!
Your dog wonât drink water and youâre wondering why? Dont worry, you are not alone! Under most circumstances, dogs will drink sufficiently and they will remain well-hydrated with no encouragement, but sometimes our dogs just arenât thirsty. This article may help you to understand why your dog wont drink water and what can you do about it. If your dog is also not eating, discover the reasons why a dog wont eat.
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What Is Water Intoxication
Water intoxication goes by a variety of names, including water poisoning, hyperhydration, and water toxemia. No matter what you call it, this problem can come on suddenly, and the outcome can be fatal.
Heres what happens when the body is overwhelmed with an excessive amount of water. First, sodium levels outside the cells are depleted, a condition called hyponatremia. In an effort to rebalance itself, the body responds to the low blood sodium by increasing fluid intake inside the cells. Some organs, such as the liver, can accommodate the increased volume of their swelling cells, but others in particular, the brain, which is encased in bone cannot.
In humans, water intoxication usually results from drinking too much water after rigorous exercise or competing in water-drinking competitions. In dogs, excessive water intake often occurs when swimming, diving, or water-retrieving. Even play-biting the stream of water from a garden hose or sprinkler can overload a dogs system and lead to water intoxication. Because their bodies have to work harder to clear out the excess water in their system, toy and small dogs are at greater risk than larger ones.
How Much Water Should A 64
A 64-pound German Shepherd Dog should drink 98.4 ounces of water every day.
German Shepherd Dog are generally high-activity dogs, and about 98.4 ounces is the amount of water a High Activity Level 64-pound German Shepherd Dog needs every day.
However, if your 64-pound German Shepherd Dog is a low-activity dog, then it will need about 49.2 ounces of water every day.
Similarly, if your 64-pound German Shepherd Dog is of medium activity, then it will need about 73.8 ounces of water every day.
Use our German Shepherd Dog dog water calculator to find out how much water German Shepherd Dog should drink at different weights.
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