Puppy won't drink water - YorkieTalk.com Forums

tammyjo · 03-08-2011, 05:58 AM

My 13 week old puppy won't drink water. She eats dry puppy food just fine. I have had her a week in a half and when i first got she she did drink water. Idk what to do. She has kennel cough so I'm scared if she gets dehydrated everything will just get worse.

Maximo · 03-08-2011, 06:35 AM

What kind of dish is the water in? Max wouldn't drink out of plastic. Had to be stainless steel or nothing.

Be sure to change the water often. These little ones seem to like very fresh water. You can also try changing your water source. If you are giving tap water, try filtered, or vice versa. You can also try dipping your finger in the water and holding it to her lips.

Is your little girl being treated for the kennel cough? Make sure her gums stay moist and pink, not pale or sticky. If she goes to much longer without water, go back to the vet.

yorkietalkjilly · 03-08-2011, 09:53 AM

I'd syringe some water into the pocket in the side of her mouth in the amount and as often as the vet said as dehydration in Yorkies is always a worry. If the vet doesn't yet know the dog isn't drinking water, call him and report it and ask how to avoid dehydration. Until you hear from the vet, I would administer some water or sugar-water.

YorkieRose · 03-08-2011, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tammyjo

My 13 week old puppy won't drink water. She eats dry puppy food just fine. I have had her a week in a half and when i first got she she did drink water. Idk what to do. She has kennel cough so I'm scared if she gets dehydrated everything will just get worse.

Is she peeing?

92west1 · 03-11-2011, 01:33 PM

Hi There! This is Carrie from Wild West Yorkies... My new puppies LOVE when I add a spoonful of Karo to their water.. It won't hurt.. It will add a little taste... see if that helps! My vet also has recommended Pedilite... you might see if you can try that.. worth a try! They LOVE ICE WATER TOO! Just something different

Sammy Mommy · 03-11-2011, 01:38 PM

Will the puppy lick the water off your fingers or out of your cupped palm? If this continues, I would contact the vet.

jennzy · 03-12-2011, 04:32 AM

hm... I'm wondering, do you remember how the breeder used to feed her dogs water? my breeder uses a bottle system (kind of like the ones for hamsters/rabbits) and when i brought coco home, i didnt have one and coco has hard time drinking water from her water bowl.

so maybe you can try the bottle system?

Islandcanine · 03-12-2011, 05:51 AM

Could try increasing exercise by way of play and/or walks.

I used to take my dog, when she was a pup, outside, with treats (kibble), her toy for fetch and being sure to have a dish of fresh water near by.
We'd get geared up playing and then I'd say "Ok, let's go for drinks" and we'd go to her water dish, left up a small set of stairs near the front door. She would drink and then we'd play fetch for three or four more throws and then back to "drink" again. This not only got her drinking but also taught her the word "drink".

Additionally, since your dog is a puppy, I assume that she eats three or four times a day. Try moistening her kibble for one or two meal times. This will help hydrate her.

OR
do as one has already suggested and syringe water into the side of her mouth, slowly and not a lot at a time.

Lastly, you could have a dish of fresh filtered water. have your puppy come and sit with you and dip your finger into water dish and to her mouth for her to lick off. Try to encourage her to just take a drink from her water.
Change dishes and see what happens but also the placement of the dish.
I know my dog was very finicky as to where her dishes were placed before she would comfortably eat or drink.

If you haven't already, start introducing a toothbrush. I take my dogs tooth brush and rinse it before we begin. I have a bowl of fresh filtered water. Before we brush, I dip it in the water and let her lick the water drops off. She seems to always want to do this before she has her teeth brushed, daily.

Oh and also my dog loves the centers from romaine lettuce. You could try to see if your dog will eat them, say as treats. Give a command first so she 'works' for it. High in water content. Be sure not to feed too much vegetables in ratio to her kibble though.

Hope this helps.

03-08-2011, 05:58 AM	#1
tammyjo Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: ottumwa Posts: 72	Puppy won't drink water My 13 week old puppy won't drink water. She eats dry puppy food just fine. I have had her a week in a half and when i first got she she did drink water. Idk what to do. She has kennel cough so I'm scared if she gets dehydrated everything will just get worse. __________________ Tamara <3's Molly

03-08-2011, 06:35 AM	#2
Maximo ♥ Maximo and Teddy Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 25,044	What kind of dish is the water in? Max wouldn't drink out of plastic. Had to be stainless steel or nothing. Be sure to change the water often. These little ones seem to like very fresh water. You can also try changing your water source. If you are giving tap water, try filtered, or vice versa. You can also try dipping your finger in the water and holding it to her lips. Is your little girl being treated for the kennel cough? Make sure her gums stay moist and pink, not pale or sticky. If she goes to much longer without water, go back to the vet. __________________ Kristin, Max and Teddy

03-12-2011, 04:32 AM	#7
jennzy YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: TOronto, Canada Posts: 804	hm... I'm wondering, do you remember how the breeder used to feed her dogs water? my breeder uses a bottle system (kind of like the ones for hamsters/rabbits) and when i brought coco home, i didnt have one and coco has hard time drinking water from her water bowl. so maybe you can try the bottle system? __________________ <Mickey & Coco>

03-12-2011, 05:51 AM	#8
Islandcanine Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: BC CANADA Posts: 96	Encourage Drinking Could try increasing exercise by way of play and/or walks. I used to take my dog, when she was a pup, outside, with treats (kibble), her toy for fetch and being sure to have a dish of fresh water near by. We'd get geared up playing and then I'd say "Ok, let's go for drinks" and we'd go to her water dish, left up a small set of stairs near the front door. She would drink and then we'd play fetch for three or four more throws and then back to "drink" again. This not only got her drinking but also taught her the word "drink". Additionally, since your dog is a puppy, I assume that she eats three or four times a day. Try moistening her kibble for one or two meal times. This will help hydrate her. OR do as one has already suggested and syringe water into the side of her mouth, slowly and not a lot at a time. Lastly, you could have a dish of fresh filtered water. have your puppy come and sit with you and dip your finger into water dish and to her mouth for her to lick off. Try to encourage her to just take a drink from her water. Change dishes and see what happens but also the placement of the dish. I know my dog was very finicky as to where her dishes were placed before she would comfortably eat or drink. If you haven't already, start introducing a toothbrush. I take my dogs tooth brush and rinse it before we begin. I have a bowl of fresh filtered water. Before we brush, I dip it in the water and let her lick the water drops off. She seems to always want to do this before she has her teeth brushed, daily. Oh and also my dog loves the centers from romaine lettuce. You could try to see if your dog will eat them, say as treats. Give a command first so she 'works' for it. High in water content. Be sure not to feed too much vegetables in ratio to her kibble though. Hope this helps.

03-08-2011, 09:53 AM	#3
yorkietalkjilly ♥ Love My Tibbe! ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: D/FW, Texas Posts: 22,140	I'd syringe some water into the pocket in the side of her mouth in the amount and as often as the vet said as dehydration in Yorkies is always a worry. If the vet doesn't yet know the dog isn't drinking water, call him and report it and ask how to avoid dehydration. Until you hear from the vet, I would administer some water or sugar-water.

03-11-2011, 01:33 PM	#5
92west1 Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: henrietta, texas, usa Posts: 13	Hi There! This is Carrie from Wild West Yorkies... My new puppies LOVE when I add a spoonful of Karo to their water.. It won't hurt.. It will add a little taste... see if that helps! My vet also has recommended Pedilite... you might see if you can try that.. worth a try! They LOVE ICE WATER TOO! Just something different

03-11-2011, 01:38 PM	#6
Sammy Mommy Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: New York Posts: 3,896	Will the puppy lick the water off your fingers or out of your cupped palm? If this continues, I would contact the vet.