Dog Water Intake Calculator

Quick answer A healthy dog drinks roughly 40–60 mL per kg per day, about 1 litre (34 fl oz) for a 20 kg dog. Wet food counts toward the total. Drinking more than about 100 mL per kg in a day is called polydipsia and is a reason to see your vet.

How to use the dog water intake calculator

Enter weight.
Optionally enter how much your dog drank in 24 hours.
Press Calculate.

Also searched asdog water calculatorhow much water should a dog drink calculator

Worked example

A healthy dog weighing 20 kg.

Weight: 20 kg

1,000 mL (34 fl oz)

Typical range: 800 mL (27 fl oz) – 1,200 mL (41 fl oz)

Example values are illustrative; this result is produced by the same calculator above.

How we calculate it

Maintenance ≈ 50 mL per kg per day (range ~40–60); >100 mL/kg/day = possible polydipsia → see a vet

Sources: Merck Veterinary Manual · NRC

Reference table

Typical daily water (≈50 mL/kg)
Weight	mL/day	fl oz/day
2 kg	100	3
5 kg	250	8
10 kg	500	17
15 kg	750	25
20 kg	1,000	34
25 kg	1,250	42
30 kg	1,500	51
40 kg	2,000	68
50 kg	2,500	85

Understanding your result

A healthy dog typically drinks around 50 mL of water per kg of body weight per day, with a normal range of about 40 to 60 mL per kg. A 20 kg dog therefore drinks roughly one litre a day.

Water intake varies with temperature, exercise and diet. Dogs eating wet or fresh food take in part of their water from the food.

If you enter how much your dog actually drinks, the tool compares it with 100 mL per kg per day, a level above which vets look for a cause.

Common mistakes

Measuring water only in the main bowl and missing other sources.
Comparing a hot-weather day with a cool day.
Restricting water because you think your dog drinks too much.
Ignoring a sudden change in thirst or in urination.

Good to know

Always keep fresh water available unless your vet advises otherwise.
Drinking more than 100 mL per kg a day, or a sudden change, should be checked by a vet.
Puppies, nursing and ill dogs can have different needs.

When to talk to your vet

Drinking more than 100 mL/kg a day
Sudden change in thirst or urination
Not drinking for a day

Frequently asked questions

How much water should a dog drink a day?

Roughly 40–60 mL per kg of body weight — about 1 litre (34 fl oz) for a 20 kg dog.

How much water should a puppy drink?

Puppies need a little more per kg and should always have fresh water available.

When is a dog drinking too much?

More than about 100 mL per kg in a day is called polydipsia and can be a sign of diabetes, kidney or hormone disease — see your vet.

Does wet food count?

Yes. Dogs on wet food drink less from the bowl because their food is mostly water.

Do heat and exercise change water needs?

Yes, heat and activity raise thirst. The calculator gives a typical range for healthy dogs; offer fresh water at all times and see your vet about sudden changes in thirst or urination.

Can I use this for puppies or sick dogs?

It is meant for healthy adult dogs. Puppies need a little more per kg, and dogs with medical conditions need advice from a vet.

Reviewed by a licensed veterinarian

Last reviewed 18 Oct 2026 · How we review

Sources

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Estimates only. Every pet is different — confirm with your veterinarian. If your pet may have eaten something harmful, contact your vet or an animal poison helpline now.