Basenji Water Drinking Guide. Basenji Water Calculator.

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How Much Water Should a Basenji drink?

Hydrating your hound is very important since water makes up approximately 56 percent of an adult Basenji`s body weight (73 percent of lean body mass). Water is an essential nutrient for your Basenji`s existence.

Your Basenji needs to drink the right amount of water that suits its age, weight, and activity level.

Drinking too much water is not good for your Basenji, and neither is drinking too little water.

According to the recommendations by the vets at PetMD, a dog should drink, in milliliters, 50 times its weight in kilograms. That is, a 10 kg dog needs 500 milliliters of water (2.1 cups).

An adult Basenji weighs 10.0 Kg (22.0 pounds), and therefore requires 500.0 milliliters (16.9 ounces or 2.1 cups) of water every day, given that your dog is not a very active dog.

Essentially, the amount of water your Basenji needs a day depends very much on how much your Basenji weighs.

Also, the amount of water your Basenji drinks depends on your Basenji activity level. Very active dogs need more water than inactive dogs.

Use our Basenji water calculator to estimate how much water your Basenji should drink every day based on its weight and activity level.

The Basenji is generally a high-activity level dog breed. So, your Basenji will drink more water than the regular average dog breed.

Activity Levels in Dogs

To find out how much food you need to be feeding your Basenji, check out our Basenji feeding guide and food calculator.

How to Calculate How Much Water Your Basenji Needs

Enter the weight and activity level of your Basenji in the Basenji water calculator below to estimate how much water your Basenji needs.

Basenji Water Calculator

Your Basenji`s Weight:   

Activity Level:




Daily Water requirement:

*1 cup = 8 fluid ounces = 236.588 milliliters

Our Basenji water calculator above is based on the dog water drinking recommendation provided by the vets at PedMD.com.

However, PetMD`s recommendation applies only to dogs with low activity levels.

However, our calculator goes further to provide recommendations on how much water Basenjis of different activity levels (low, medium, and high) need.

In our calculator, a medium-activity level Basenji needs one and a half as much water as a low-activity level Basenji each day. Similarly, a high-activity level Basenji needs twice as much water as a low-activity level Basenji needs.

Check out our dog water calculator for all dog breeds here.

One way to improve your Basenji`s water drinking experience is to buy your dog a water fountain.

A water fountain will also encourage your Basenji to drink enough water.

This is because the continuously flowing stream of water with a fresh taste from a water fountain will entice your Basenji to drink enough water.

Furthermore, pet water fountains continuously filter the water that it delivers to your dog. A water fountain ensures that your Basenji has access to clean fresh filtered water all the time.

Giving your Basenji water from a fountain is more hygienic than giving your Basenji water from a water bowl.

This is because water in the water bowl usually lays around all day, getting polluted as it lays around.

Here are the best water fountains that we recommend for your Basenjis. These water fountains are durable, made with food-grade materials, and operate very quietly with little noise:

  1. The PetSafe Drinkwell Platinum Water Fountain. Click here to check price on Amazon.
    Dog Water Fountain
  2. The Veken Automatic Water Fountain Dog Water Dispenser with Smart Pump. Click here to check price on Amazon.
    Dog Water Fountain
How to measure a cup of water for your Basenji. Cup available here on Amazon

How Much Water Should a 19-Pound Basenji Drink?

A 19-pound Basenji should drink 29.2 ounces (3.7 cups) of water every day.

Basenjis are generally high-activity dogs, and about 29.2 ounces is the amount of water a High Activity Level 19-pound Basenji needs every day.

However, if your 19-pound Basenji is a low-activity dog, then it will need about 14.6 ounces of water (1.8 cups) every day.

Similarly, if your 19-pound Basenji is of medium activity, then it will need about 21.9 ounces of water (2.7 cups) every day.

Use our Basenji dog water calculator to find out how much water Basenji should drink at different weights.

Low Activity Medium Activity High Activity
14.6 ounces (1.8 cups) 21.9 ounces (2.7 cups) 29.2 ounces (3.7 cups)
How Much Water a 19-pound Basenji should drink

How Much Water Should a 45-week-Old Basenji Drink?

The average weight of 45-week-Old Basenji is 23 pounds (10.3 kg).

Learn how much 45-week-Old Basenji should weigh here.

A 23-pound Basenji should drink 35.4 ounces (4.4 cups) of water every day.

Basenjis are generally high-activity dogs, and about 35.4 ounces is the amount of water a High Activity Level 23-pound Basenji needs every day.

However, if your 23-pound Basenji is a low-activity dog, then it will need about 17.7 ounces of water (2.2 cups) every day.

Similarly, if your 23-pound Basenji is of medium activity, then it will need about 26.5 ounces of water (3.3 cups) every day.

Use our Basenji dog water calculator to find out how much water Basenji should drink at different weights.

Low Activity Medium Activity High Activity
17.7 ounces (2.2 cups) 26.5 ounces (3.3 cups) 35.4 ounces (4.4 cups)
How Much Water a 23-pound Basenji should drink

How Much Water Should a 4-month-Old Basenji Drink?

The average weight of 4-month-Old Basenji is 13 pounds (6.0 kg).

Learn how much 4-month-Old Basenji should weigh here.

A 13-pound Basenji should drink 20.0 ounces (2.5 cups) of water every day.

Basenjis are generally high-activity dogs, and about 20.0 ounces is the amount of water a High Activity Level 13-pound Basenji needs every day.

However, if your 13-pound Basenji is a low-activity dog, then it will need about 10.0 ounces of water (1.2 cups) every day.

Similarly, if your 13-pound Basenji is of medium activity, then it will need about 15.0 ounces of water (1.9 cups) every day.

Use our Basenji dog water calculator to find out how much water Basenji should drink at different weights.

Low Activity Medium Activity High Activity
10.0 ounces (1.2 cups) 15.0 ounces (1.9 cups) 20.0 ounces (2.5 cups)
How Much Water a 13-pound Basenji should drink

How Much Water Should a 27-week-Old Basenji Drink?

The average weight of 27-week-Old Basenji is 19 pounds (8.7 kg).

Learn how much 27-week-Old Basenji should weigh here.

A 19-pound Basenji should drink 29.2 ounces (3.7 cups) of water every day.

Basenjis are generally high-activity dogs, and about 29.2 ounces is the amount of water a High Activity Level 19-pound Basenji needs every day.

However, if your 19-pound Basenji is a low-activity dog, then it will need about 14.6 ounces of water (1.8 cups) every day.

Similarly, if your 19-pound Basenji is of medium activity, then it will need about 21.9 ounces of water (2.7 cups) every day.

Use our Basenji dog water calculator to find out how much water Basenji should drink at different weights.

Low Activity Medium Activity High Activity
14.6 ounces (1.8 cups) 21.9 ounces (2.7 cups) 29.2 ounces (3.7 cups)
How Much Water a 19-pound Basenji should drink

How Much Water Should a 9-month-Old Basenji Drink?

The average weight of 9-month-Old Basenji is 22 pounds (9.8 kg).

Learn how much 9-month-Old Basenji should weigh here.

A 22-pound Basenji should drink 33.8 ounces (4.2 cups) of water every day.

Basenjis are generally high-activity dogs, and about 33.8 ounces is the amount of water a High Activity Level 22-pound Basenji needs every day.

However, if your 22-pound Basenji is a low-activity dog, then it will need about 16.9 ounces of water (2.1 cups) every day.

Similarly, if your 22-pound Basenji is of medium activity, then it will need about 25.4 ounces of water (3.2 cups) every day.

Use our Basenji dog water calculator to find out how much water Basenji should drink at different weights.

Low Activity Medium Activity High Activity
16.9 ounces (2.1 cups) 25.4 ounces (3.2 cups) 33.8 ounces (4.2 cups)
How Much Water a 22-pound Basenji should drink

Other Factors that Affects How Much Water Your Basenji Needs

In addition to its weight and activity level, your Basenji may need more or less water depending on other factors in your Basenji`s life such as:

  • The weather: Basenjis need more water during the hot summer than in the cold winter.
  • Your Basenji`s Diet: Basenjis that eat moist/wet food will require less water than Basenjis that eat dry food (kibble). Wet dog food contains 65-80% water, while dry dog food contains 10-12% water.
  • Your Basenji`s age: Senior Basenjis are generally more laid back than younger Basenjis, therefore senior Basenjis need less water.
  • Pregnant Basenjis and lactating Basenjis: These need more water than normal.
  • Basenjis on Medication: Certain medications may make your Basenji drink more water.

Basenji Not Drinking Enough Water

If your Basenji is not drinking enough water, then your Basenji is at risk of dehydration, and the problems that come with dehydration.

Problems that come with your Basenji not drinking enough water include urinary tract issues like kidney stones and organ failure.

Your Basenji may be drinking less water than usual because of the following reasons:

  • Your Basenji has limited access to fresh clean water.
  • You changed your Basenji`s food (e.g. from dry food to wet food)
  • You changed your Basenji`s water source
  • The weather is cooler than it used to be
  • Your Basenji is less active than it used to be
  • Your Basenji is growing old

If none of these applies to your Basenji, then it might be that your Basenji has an underlying health condition and you might want to talk to your vet.

Also, your Basenji 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 Basenji is a picky drinker as such, then you should consider getting your Basenji a water fountain like one of these. A water fountain will entice your Basenji to drink water. With a water fountain, you can be sure that your Basenji will have access to fresh clean water always.

Also, oral infections such as tooth decay, gum decay, and broken tooth are some of the reasons your Basenji might not be drinking enough water.

Check your Basenji`s mouth for any oral infection. When checking your Basenji`s mouth, pay attention to the smell of your Basenji`s breath to make sure that your Basenji does not have bad breath as bad breath could be a sign of oral infection.

Furthermore, if you recently changed your Basenji`s water source, and your Basenji starts drinking less water, then you might want to change back to the old source.

Basenji Drinking Too Much Water

Your Basenji may be drinking too much water simply because you give it unrestricted access to water. Also, your Basenji may be drinking too much because it has a health problem such as diabetes.

If your Basenji is drinking too much water, then your Basenji is at risk of overhydration and the problems that come with overhydration.

Problems that come with water overhydration in dogs include staggering, loss of coordination, vomiting, dilated pupils, over salivation, and stomach bloat.

Excessive and unexplainable thirst in your dog is called polydipsia. Polydipsia makes your dog drink more.

Ordinarily, when your Basenji drinks too much water for just a day or two, there may be nothing to be worried about. However, if this condition persists, you should see a veterinarian.

Also, if your Basenji is drinking too much water, then your Basenji will need to urinate frequently and take unnecessary bathroom breaks. This can be an inconvenience for your if you have to take your Basenji out of the house for its bathroom breaks.

If your Basenji is drinking too much water for no obvious reason, talk to your vet. However, if your Basenji is drinking too much water because it has access to water, then limit your Basenji`s access to water.

Do Basenjis Drink a Lot of Water?

The amount of water a Basenji needs is proportional to the Basenji`s body weight and activity level. Older bigger adult Basenjis drink a lot of water compared to younger smaller Basenjis.

Also, Basenjis that are not very active drink a lot less water than very active Basenjis. Also, Basenjis drink lots of water in the hot summer months than in the cold winter months.

To find how much water your Basenji should be drinking, use our Basenji dog water calculator to estimate your Basenji`s daily water needs.

How to Tell if Your Basenji is Drinking Too Much, Too Little, or Enough Water

A simple way to check if your Basenji is drinking too much, too little or enough water is to first measure a large volume of water (many cups).

Then, at the start of the day, pour this water into your Basenji`s bowl so that your Basenji can drink water without a limit.

Then, in the evening, measure the amount of water left in your Basenji`s water bowl.

Then, subtract the amount of water left in the bowl in the evening from the initial amount of water that you put in the bowl in the morning. This will give you how much water your Basenji has drunk.

Finally, use our Basenji dog water calculator to check to see how the amount of water your dog has drunk compares with how much water your dog should be drinking for its size and its activity level.

This will tell you if your dog is drinking too much, too little, or just enough water.

Then you can switch to giving your Basenji water with a water fountain.

How To Tell If Your Basenji is Dehydrated

If your Basenji is not drinking enough water she may become dehydrated. Dehydration in dogs can have mild to severe consequences. Always be on the watch to prevent the accidental dehydration of your Basenji. Here are ways to know if your dog is dehydrated:

  • Check her gums: Press on her gums and release it; if it quickly becomes pink back, she is not dehydrated. If it remains white, she may be dehydrated.
  • Loss of skin elasticity: You can check your dog`s hydration level by pinching her skin. If her skin goes flat right away, that is a sign that your dog is properly hydrated. However, if it takes several seconds for your dog`s skin to go flat after a pinch, then that could be a sign that your dog is dehydrated.
  • Weakness and low activity: A dehydrated dog will be weaker and less active than usual.
  • Dry mouth: If your dog`s mouth is dry or if your dog salivates less, then she may be dehydrated and need water.
  • Dry Nose

Conclusion

To keep your Basenji in good health, you need to keep your Basenji hydrated. Therefore, you need to keep an eye on your Basenji`s water intake to make sure your Basenji is getting the right amount of water that it needs.

To encourage your Basenji to drink enough water, make sure that your Basenji has access to clean water all the time.

A good way to ensure your Basenji has clean water available to it is to invest in a good water fountain like one of these.

If you think your Basenji is drinking an unusual amount of water (too much or too little), then do not hesitate to speak with a pet vet.