found on Pinterest
Just how much water does your Morkie need every day?
If you simply leave plenty of fresh water out all day, you’ll find he drinks as much as he needs – unless he has a disease that’s causing him to drink too much water.
The rule of thumb is, a dog needs at least 1 ounce of water daily for every pound he weighs. So your 8-pound Morkie needs at least 8 ounces (just under 250 ml) while your 14-pound Morkie needs 14 ounces, or about half a litre.
Dogs lose water naturally all day long… by peeing and pooping and even a little by sweating – even though they only sweat through the pads on their feet and nose.
Although dogs don’t sweat like humans, they do pant heavily to cool down, and that means water loss.
Danger: low water levels!
Losing just 10 to 15% of the water in his body can be very, very serious. Your Morkie can get very sick, and even die!
Small dogs have an increased risk of becoming dehydrated, because they have a high body surface area-to-volume ratio.
Dehydration or loss of too much water in the body, can be a result of extreme weather conditions, or more commonly, vomiting and diarrhea. Puppies are especially susceptible.
Signs of dehydration include:
- sunken eyes
- lack of energy, lethargy
- dry mouth
- excessive drooling or panting
- fast weight loss
- sticky, dry gums
If you suspect your Morkie is suffering from dehydration, get him medical help right away. Your vet will likely inject liquid under his skin in fairly large amounts and ensure your dog’s electrolyte balance is back to normal.
Can dogs drink TOO much water?
Yes, drinking excessive amounts of water — called Polydipsia — can be a symptom of a disorder or disease. The most common causes are kidney failure or Cushing’s Disease. But before you panic, a dog will sometimes drink too much water out of sheer boredom.
At least with a small dog like a Morkie, there IS one thing about drinking water that we don’t have to worry about!
