Quick Links: Table of Contents
- How Much Water Should a Chihuahua drink?
- How to Calculate How Much Water Your Chihuahua Needs
- Chihuahua Water Calculator
- How Much Water Should a 5-Pound Chihuahua Drink?
- How Much Water Should a 25-week-Old Chihuahua Drink?
- How Much Water Should a 7-month-Old Chihuahua Drink?
- How Much Water Should a 48-week-Old Chihuahua Drink?
- How Much Water Should a 10-month-Old Chihuahua Drink?
- Other Factors that Affects How Much Water Your Chihuahua Needs
- Chihuahua Not Drinking Enough Water
- Chihuahua Drinking Too Much Water
- Do Chihuahuas Drink a Lot of Water?
- How to Tell if Your Chihuahua is Drinking Too Much, Too Little, or Enough Water
- How To Tell If Your Chihuahua is Dehydrated
- Conclusion
How Much Water Should a Chihuahua drink?
Hydrating your hound is very important since water makes up approximately 56 percent of an adult Chihuahua`s body weight (73 percent of lean body mass). Water is an essential nutrient for your Chihuahua`s existence.
Your Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua, 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 Chihuahua weighs 2.7 Kg (6.0 pounds), and therefore requires 136.4 milliliters (4.6 ounces or 0.6 cups) of water every day, given that your dog is not a very active dog.
Essentially, the amount of water your Chihuahua needs a day depends very much on how much your Chihuahua weighs.
Also, the amount of water your Chihuahua drinks depends on your Chihuahua activity level. Very active dogs need more water than inactive dogs.
Use our Chihuahua water calculator to estimate how much water your Chihuahua should drink every day based on its weight and activity level.
The Chihuahua is typically a medium-activity level dog breed. So, your Chihuahua will drink an average amount of water compared to other dog breeds of similar weight.
To find out how much food you need to be feeding your Chihuahua, check out our Chihuahua feeding guide and food calculator.
How to Calculate How Much Water Your Chihuahua Needs
Enter the weight and activity level of your Chihuahua in the Chihuahua water calculator below to estimate how much water your Chihuahua needs.
Chihuahua Water Calculator
*1 cup = 8 fluid ounces = 236.588 milliliters
Our Chihuahua 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 Chihuahuas of different activity levels (low, medium, and high) need.
In our calculator, a medium-activity level Chihuahua needs one and a half as much water as a low-activity level Chihuahua each day. Similarly, a high-activity level Chihuahua needs twice as much water as a low-activity level Chihuahua needs.
Check out our dog water calculator for all dog breeds here.
One way to improve your Chihuahua`s water drinking experience is to buy your dog a water fountain.
A water fountain will also encourage your Chihuahua to drink enough water.
This is because the continuously flowing stream of water with a fresh taste from a water fountain will entice your Chihuahua to drink enough water.
Furthermore, pet water fountains continuously filter the water that it delivers to your dog. A water fountain ensures that your Chihuahua has access to clean fresh filtered water all the time.
Giving your Chihuahua water from a fountain is more hygienic than giving your Chihuahua 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 Chihuahuas. These water fountains are durable, made with food-grade materials, and operate very quietly with little noise:
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The PetSafe Drinkwell Platinum Water Fountain. Click here to check price on Amazon.
Dog Water Fountain -
The Veken Automatic Water Fountain Dog Water Dispenser with Smart Pump. Click here to check price on Amazon.
Dog Water Fountain
How Much Water Should a 5-Pound Chihuahua Drink?
A 5-pound Chihuahua should drink 5.8 ounces (0.7 cups) of water every day.
Chihuahuas are generally high-activity dogs, and about 5.8 ounces is the amount of water a Medium Activity Level 5-pound Chihuahua needs every day.
However, if your 5-pound Chihuahua is a high-activity dog, then it will need about 7.7 ounces of water (1.0 cups) every day.
Similarly, if your 5-pound Chihuahua is of low activity, then it will need about 3.8 ounces of water (0.5 cups) every day.
Use our Chihuahua dog water calculator to find out how much water Chihuahua should drink at different weights.
| Low Activity | Medium Activity | High Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 3.8 ounces (0.5 cups) | 5.8 ounces (0.7 cups) | 7.7 ounces (1.0 cups) |
How Much Water Should a 25-week-Old Chihuahua Drink?
The average weight of 25-week-Old Chihuahua is 5 pounds (2.2 kg).
Learn how much 25-week-Old Chihuahua should weigh here.
A 5-pound Chihuahua should drink 5.8 ounces (0.7 cups) of water every day.
Chihuahuas are generally high-activity dogs, and about 5.8 ounces is the amount of water a Medium Activity Level 5-pound Chihuahua needs every day.
However, if your 5-pound Chihuahua is a high-activity dog, then it will need about 7.7 ounces of water (1.0 cups) every day.
Similarly, if your 5-pound Chihuahua is of low activity, then it will need about 3.8 ounces of water (0.5 cups) every day.
Use our Chihuahua dog water calculator to find out how much water Chihuahua should drink at different weights.
| Low Activity | Medium Activity | High Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 3.8 ounces (0.5 cups) | 5.8 ounces (0.7 cups) | 7.7 ounces (1.0 cups) |
How Much Water Should a 7-month-Old Chihuahua Drink?
The average weight of 7-month-Old Chihuahua is 5 pounds (2.3 kg).
Learn how much 7-month-Old Chihuahua should weigh here.
A 5-pound Chihuahua should drink 5.8 ounces (0.7 cups) of water every day.
Chihuahuas are generally high-activity dogs, and about 5.8 ounces is the amount of water a Medium Activity Level 5-pound Chihuahua needs every day.
However, if your 5-pound Chihuahua is a high-activity dog, then it will need about 7.7 ounces of water (1.0 cups) every day.
Similarly, if your 5-pound Chihuahua is of low activity, then it will need about 3.8 ounces of water (0.5 cups) every day.
Use our Chihuahua dog water calculator to find out how much water Chihuahua should drink at different weights.
| Low Activity | Medium Activity | High Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 3.8 ounces (0.5 cups) | 5.8 ounces (0.7 cups) | 7.7 ounces (1.0 cups) |
How Much Water Should a 48-week-Old Chihuahua Drink?
The average weight of 48-week-Old Chihuahua is 6 pounds (2.6 kg).
Learn how much 48-week-Old Chihuahua should weigh here.
A 6-pound Chihuahua should drink 6.9 ounces (0.9 cups) of water every day.
Chihuahuas are generally high-activity dogs, and about 6.9 ounces is the amount of water a Medium Activity Level 6-pound Chihuahua needs every day.
However, if your 6-pound Chihuahua is a high-activity dog, then it will need about 9.2 ounces of water (1.2 cups) every day.
Similarly, if your 6-pound Chihuahua is of low activity, then it will need about 4.6 ounces of water (0.6 cups) every day.
Use our Chihuahua dog water calculator to find out how much water Chihuahua should drink at different weights.
| Low Activity | Medium Activity | High Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 4.6 ounces (0.6 cups) | 6.9 ounces (0.9 cups) | 9.2 ounces (1.2 cups) |
How Much Water Should a 10-month-Old Chihuahua Drink?
The average weight of 10-month-Old Chihuahua is 6 pounds (2.6 kg).
Learn how much 10-month-Old Chihuahua should weigh here.
A 6-pound Chihuahua should drink 6.9 ounces (0.9 cups) of water every day.
Chihuahuas are generally high-activity dogs, and about 6.9 ounces is the amount of water a Medium Activity Level 6-pound Chihuahua needs every day.
However, if your 6-pound Chihuahua is a high-activity dog, then it will need about 9.2 ounces of water (1.2 cups) every day.
Similarly, if your 6-pound Chihuahua is of low activity, then it will need about 4.6 ounces of water (0.6 cups) every day.
Use our Chihuahua dog water calculator to find out how much water Chihuahua should drink at different weights.
| Low Activity | Medium Activity | High Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 4.6 ounces (0.6 cups) | 6.9 ounces (0.9 cups) | 9.2 ounces (1.2 cups) |
Other Factors that Affects How Much Water Your Chihuahua Needs
In addition to its weight and activity level, your Chihuahua may need more or less water depending on other factors in your Chihuahua`s life such as:
- The weather: Chihuahuas need more water during the hot summer than in the cold winter.
- Your Chihuahua`s Diet: Chihuahuas that eat moist/wet food will require less water than Chihuahuas that eat dry food (kibble). Wet dog food contains 65-80% water, while dry dog food contains 10-12% water.
- Your Chihuahua`s age: Senior Chihuahuas are generally more laid back than younger Chihuahuas, therefore senior Chihuahuas need less water.
- Pregnant Chihuahuas and lactating Chihuahuas: These need more water than normal.
- Chihuahuas on Medication: Certain medications may make your Chihuahua drink more water.
Chihuahua Not Drinking Enough Water
If your Chihuahua is not drinking enough water, then your Chihuahua is at risk of dehydration, and the problems that come with dehydration.
Problems that come with your Chihuahua not drinking enough water include urinary tract issues like kidney stones and organ failure.
Your Chihuahua may be drinking less water than usual because of the following reasons:
- Your Chihuahua has limited access to fresh clean water.
- You changed your Chihuahua`s food (e.g. from dry food to wet food)
- You changed your Chihuahua`s water source
- The weather is cooler than it used to be
- Your Chihuahua is less active than it used to be
- Your Chihuahua is growing old
If none of these applies to your Chihuahua, then it might be that your Chihuahua has an underlying health condition and you might want to talk to your vet.
Also, your Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua is a picky drinker as such, then you should consider getting your Chihuahua a water fountain like one of these. A water fountain will entice your Chihuahua to drink water. With a water fountain, you can be sure that your Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua might not be drinking enough water.
Check your Chihuahua`s mouth for any oral infection. When checking your Chihuahua`s mouth, pay attention to the smell of your Chihuahua`s breath to make sure that your Chihuahua does not have bad breath as bad breath could be a sign of oral infection.
Furthermore, if you recently changed your Chihuahua`s water source, and your Chihuahua starts drinking less water, then you might want to change back to the old source.
Chihuahua Drinking Too Much Water
Your Chihuahua may be drinking too much water simply because you give it unrestricted access to water. Also, your Chihuahua may be drinking too much because it has a health problem such as diabetes.
If your Chihuahua is drinking too much water, then your Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua is drinking too much water, then your Chihuahua will need to urinate frequently and take unnecessary bathroom breaks. This can be an inconvenience for your if you have to take your Chihuahua out of the house for its bathroom breaks.
If your Chihuahua is drinking too much water for no obvious reason, talk to your vet. However, if your Chihuahua is drinking too much water because it has access to water, then limit your Chihuahua`s access to water.
Do Chihuahuas Drink a Lot of Water?
The amount of water a Chihuahua needs is proportional to the Chihuahua`s body weight and activity level. Older bigger adult Chihuahuas drink a lot of water compared to younger smaller Chihuahuas.
Also, Chihuahuas that are not very active drink a lot less water than very active Chihuahuas. Also, Chihuahuas drink lots of water in the hot summer months than in the cold winter months.
To find how much water your Chihuahua should be drinking, use our Chihuahua dog water calculator to estimate your Chihuahua`s daily water needs.
How to Tell if Your Chihuahua is Drinking Too Much, Too Little, or Enough Water
A simple way to check if your Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua`s bowl so that your Chihuahua can drink water without a limit.
Then, in the evening, measure the amount of water left in your Chihuahua`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 Chihuahua has drunk.
Finally, use our Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua water with a water fountain.
How To Tell If Your Chihuahua is Dehydrated
If your Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua. 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 Chihuahua in good health, you need to keep your Chihuahua hydrated. Therefore, you need to keep an eye on your Chihuahua`s water intake to make sure your Chihuahua is getting the right amount of water that it needs.
To encourage your Chihuahua to drink enough water, make sure that your Chihuahua has access to clean water all the time.
A good way to ensure your Chihuahua has clean water available to it is to invest in a good water fountain like one of these.
If you think your Chihuahua is drinking an unusual amount of water (too much or too little), then do not hesitate to speak with a pet vet.