Just like it is for us humans, it’s critical for your pets to stay hydrated. There’s a whole host of unpleasant and dangerous health conditions that stem from dehydration. And for some pets, just having a water bowl out may not be enough to encourage them to get enough water every day.

So what do you do if you can lead your pet to water but just can’t make him drink? Read on for some tips to try.

Better safe than sorry

First off, we should mention that if you believe that your pet is already dangerously dehydrated, you should get to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Signs of dehydration in dogs can include loss of skin elasticity, dry nose, dry gums, loss of appetite, and panting. In cats, the signs can include lethargy, weakness, poor appetite, and dry mucous membranes. If you’re able to get them to drink right away, great. If not, it’s best to visit a vet in case other interventions are needed.

Some DIY solutions

If your pet is just being picky, then there are a variety of solutions you can try at home before visiting your vet.

  1. Try changing out the bowl or dish. Maybe they prefer a different vessel. And hey, who can blame them? We all have our favorite cups. For cats, especially, this can be more than a preference thing. Generally, cats don’t like when their whiskers touch the sides of bowls. So, always choose shallow bowls for both food and water.
  2. Add ice. Cats and dogs both tend to enjoy cold water, so lowering the temp can help make it more tempting. Furthermore, many dogs enjoy chewing on ice so that might be enough to get them interested.
  3. Add flavor. If your pet is avoiding his water bowl, you may want to try adding a bit of chicken broth or apple juice to make getting hydrated a little tastier.
  4. Get a fountain. Cats especially are more drawn to moving water, which is why you may see them try to drink from the tap. Mimic this movement by getting a filtered water fountain. If a fountain isn’t in the budget, be sure to change out the water daily so it’s nice and fresh.
  5. Move the bowl’s location. It may be that your pet just doesn’t feel comfortable drinking water in the current spot. For example, cats often don’t like to drink water near where they eat. Try moving it to a different place in the house. Better yet, add multiple bowls in different places for easy access. This might help you discover what their favorite place is for drinking.
  6. Try the tap? If you really can’t get them to drink from bowls or fountains but they seem interested in drinking from a tap, you can just go that route as long as it’s convenient and you’re able to turn the tap on for them frequently.
  7.  Increase wet food. If all else fails, opt for wet food over dry more often as it contains a higher water content and will help compensate for lower water intake.

Fortunately, there are lots of easy solutions to try to get your pet to drink more water. In all likelihood, one of these will work. But if you’re still struggling to keep your furry friend well-hydrated, be sure to visit your vet. If there’s an underlying health issue, they can help.