Quick Links: Table of Contents
- How Much Water Should a German Shepherd Dog drink?
- How to Calculate How Much Water Your German Shepherd Dog Needs
- German Shepherd Dog Water Calculator
- How Much Water Should a 30-Pound German Shepherd Dog Drink?
- How Much Water Should a 36-week-Old German Shepherd Dog Drink?
- How Much Water Should a 11-month-Old German Shepherd Dog Drink?
- How Much Water Should a 19-week-Old German Shepherd Dog Drink?
- How Much Water Should a 4-month-Old German Shepherd Dog Drink?
- Other Factors that Affects How Much Water Your German Shepherd Dog Needs
- German Shepherd Dog Not Drinking Enough Water
- German Shepherd Dog Drinking Too Much Water
- Do German Shepherd Dogs Drink a Lot of Water?
- How to Tell if Your German Shepherd Dog is Drinking Too Much, Too Little, or Enough Water
- How To Tell If Your German Shepherd Dog is Dehydrated
- Conclusion
How Much Water Should a German Shepherd Dog drink?
Hydrating your hound is very important since water makes up approximately 56 percent of an adult German Shepherd Dog`s body weight (73 percent of lean body mass). Water is an essential nutrient for your German Shepherd Dog`s existence.
Your German Shepherd Dog 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 German Shepherd Dog, 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 German Shepherd Dog weighs 30.8 Kg (68.0 pounds), and therefore requires 1545.5 milliliters (52.3 ounces or 6.5 cups) of water every day, given that your dog is not a very active dog.
Essentially, the amount of water your German Shepherd Dog needs a day depends very much on how much your German Shepherd Dog weighs.
Also, the amount of water your German Shepherd Dog drinks depends on your German Shepherd Dog activity level. Very active dogs need more water than inactive dogs.
Use our German Shepherd Dog water calculator to estimate how much water your German Shepherd Dog should drink every day based on its weight and activity level.
The German Shepherd Dog is generally a high-activity level dog breed. So, your German Shepherd Dog will drink more water than the regular average dog breed.
To find out how much food you need to be feeding your German Shepherd Dog, check out our German Shepherd Dog feeding guide and food calculator.
How to Calculate How Much Water Your German Shepherd Dog Needs
Enter the weight and activity level of your German Shepherd Dog in the German Shepherd Dog water calculator below to estimate how much water your German Shepherd Dog needs.
German Shepherd Dog Water Calculator
*1 cup = 8 fluid ounces = 236.588 milliliters
Our German Shepherd Dog 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 German Shepherd Dogs of different activity levels (low, medium, and high) need.
In our calculator, a medium-activity level German Shepherd Dog needs one and a half as much water as a low-activity level German Shepherd Dog each day. Similarly, a high-activity level German Shepherd Dog needs twice as much water as a low-activity level German Shepherd Dog needs.
Check out our dog water calculator for all dog breeds here.
One way to improve your German Shepherd Dog`s water drinking experience is to buy your dog a water fountain.
A water fountain will also encourage your German Shepherd Dog to drink enough water.
This is because the continuously flowing stream of water with a fresh taste from a water fountain will entice your German Shepherd Dog to drink enough water.
Furthermore, pet water fountains continuously filter the water that it delivers to your dog. A water fountain ensures that your German Shepherd Dog has access to clean fresh filtered water all the time.
Giving your German Shepherd Dog water from a fountain is more hygienic than giving your German Shepherd Dog 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 German Shepherd Dogs. These water fountains are durable, made with food-grade materials, and operate very quietly with little noise:
-
The PetSafe Drinkwell 2 Gallon Pet Fountain with Adjustable Stream. Click here to check price on Amazon.
Dog Water Fountain
How Much Water Should a 30-Pound German Shepherd Dog Drink?
A 30-pound German Shepherd Dog should drink 46.1 ounces (5.8 cups) of water every day.
German Shepherd Dogs are generally high-activity dogs, and about 46.1 ounces is the amount of water a High Activity Level 30-pound German Shepherd Dog needs every day.
However, if your 30-pound German Shepherd Dog is a low-activity dog, then it will need about 23.1 ounces of water (2.9 cups) every day.
Similarly, if your 30-pound German Shepherd Dog is of medium activity, then it will need about 34.6 ounces of water (4.3 cups) every day.
Use our German Shepherd Dog dog water calculator to find out how much water German Shepherd Dog should drink at different weights.
| Low Activity | Medium Activity | High Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 23.1 ounces (2.9 cups) | 34.6 ounces (4.3 cups) | 46.1 ounces (5.8 cups) |
How Much Water Should a 36-week-Old German Shepherd Dog Drink?
The average weight of 36-week-Old German Shepherd Dog is 60 pounds (27.0 kg).
Learn how much 36-week-Old German Shepherd Dog should weigh here.
A 60-pound German Shepherd Dog should drink 92.2 ounces (11.5 cups) of water every day.
German Shepherd Dogs are generally high-activity dogs, and about 92.2 ounces is the amount of water a High Activity Level 60-pound German Shepherd Dog needs every day.
However, if your 60-pound German Shepherd Dog is a low-activity dog, then it will need about 46.1 ounces of water (5.8 cups) every day.
Similarly, if your 60-pound German Shepherd Dog is of medium activity, then it will need about 69.2 ounces of water (8.6 cups) every day.
Use our German Shepherd Dog dog water calculator to find out how much water German Shepherd Dog should drink at different weights.
| Low Activity | Medium Activity | High Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 46.1 ounces (5.8 cups) | 69.2 ounces (8.6 cups) | 92.2 ounces (11.5 cups) |
How Much Water Should a 11-month-Old German Shepherd Dog Drink?
The average weight of 11-month-Old German Shepherd Dog is 64 pounds (29.0 kg).
Learn how much 11-month-Old German Shepherd Dog should weigh here.
A 64-pound German Shepherd Dog should drink 98.4 ounces (12.3 cups) of water every day.
German Shepherd Dogs are generally high-activity dogs, and about 98.4 ounces is the amount of water a High Activity Level 64-pound German Shepherd Dog needs every day.
However, if your 64-pound German Shepherd Dog is a low-activity dog, then it will need about 49.2 ounces of water (6.1 cups) every day.
Similarly, if your 64-pound German Shepherd Dog is of medium activity, then it will need about 73.8 ounces of water (9.2 cups) every day.
Use our German Shepherd Dog dog water calculator to find out how much water German Shepherd Dog should drink at different weights.
| Low Activity | Medium Activity | High Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 49.2 ounces (6.1 cups) | 73.8 ounces (9.2 cups) | 98.4 ounces (12.3 cups) |
How Much Water Should a 19-week-Old German Shepherd Dog Drink?
The average weight of 19-week-Old German Shepherd Dog is 39 pounds (17.9 kg).
Learn how much 19-week-Old German Shepherd Dog should weigh here.
A 39-pound German Shepherd Dog should drink 59.9 ounces (7.5 cups) of water every day.
German Shepherd Dogs are generally high-activity dogs, and about 59.9 ounces is the amount of water a High Activity Level 39-pound German Shepherd Dog needs every day.
However, if your 39-pound German Shepherd Dog is a low-activity dog, then it will need about 30.0 ounces of water (3.7 cups) every day.
Similarly, if your 39-pound German Shepherd Dog is of medium activity, then it will need about 45.0 ounces of water (5.6 cups) every day.
Use our German Shepherd Dog dog water calculator to find out how much water German Shepherd Dog should drink at different weights.
| Low Activity | Medium Activity | High Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 30.0 ounces (3.7 cups) | 45.0 ounces (5.6 cups) | 59.9 ounces (7.5 cups) |
How Much Water Should a 4-month-Old German Shepherd Dog Drink?
The average weight of 4-month-Old German Shepherd Dog is 34 pounds (15.3 kg).
Learn how much 4-month-Old German Shepherd Dog should weigh here.
A 34-pound German Shepherd Dog should drink 52.3 ounces (6.5 cups) of water every day.
German Shepherd Dogs are generally high-activity dogs, and about 52.3 ounces is the amount of water a High Activity Level 34-pound German Shepherd Dog needs every day.
However, if your 34-pound German Shepherd Dog is a low-activity dog, then it will need about 26.1 ounces of water (3.3 cups) every day.
Similarly, if your 34-pound German Shepherd Dog is of medium activity, then it will need about 39.2 ounces of water (4.9 cups) every day.
Use our German Shepherd Dog dog water calculator to find out how much water German Shepherd Dog should drink at different weights.
| Low Activity | Medium Activity | High Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 26.1 ounces (3.3 cups) | 39.2 ounces (4.9 cups) | 52.3 ounces (6.5 cups) |
Other Factors that Affects How Much Water Your German Shepherd Dog Needs
In addition to its weight and activity level, your German Shepherd Dog may need more or less water depending on other factors in your German Shepherd Dog`s life such as:
- The weather: German Shepherd Dogs need more water during the hot summer than in the cold winter.
- Your German Shepherd Dog`s Diet: German Shepherd Dogs that eat moist/wet food will require less water than German Shepherd Dogs that eat dry food (kibble). Wet dog food contains 65-80% water, while dry dog food contains 10-12% water.
- Your German Shepherd Dog`s age: Senior German Shepherd Dogs are generally more laid back than younger German Shepherd Dogs, therefore senior German Shepherd Dogs need less water.
- Pregnant German Shepherd Dogs and lactating German Shepherd Dogs: These need more water than normal.
- German Shepherd Dogs on Medication: Certain medications may make your German Shepherd Dog drink more water.
German Shepherd Dog Not Drinking Enough Water
If your German Shepherd Dog is not drinking enough water, then your German Shepherd Dog is at risk of dehydration, and the problems that come with dehydration.
Problems that come with your German Shepherd Dog not drinking enough water include urinary tract issues like kidney stones and organ failure.
Your German Shepherd Dog may be drinking less water than usual because of the following reasons:
- Your German Shepherd Dog has limited access to fresh clean water.
- You changed your German Shepherd Dog`s food (e.g. from dry food to wet food)
- You changed your German Shepherd Dog`s water source
- The weather is cooler than it used to be
- Your German Shepherd Dog is less active than it used to be
- Your German Shepherd Dog is growing old
If none of these applies to your German Shepherd Dog, then it might be that your German Shepherd Dog has an underlying health condition and you might want to talk to your vet.
Also, your German Shepherd Dog 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 German Shepherd Dog is a picky drinker as such, then you should consider getting your German Shepherd Dog a water fountain like one of these. A water fountain will entice your German Shepherd Dog to drink water. With a water fountain, you can be sure that your German Shepherd Dog 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 German Shepherd Dog might not be drinking enough water.
Check your German Shepherd Dog`s mouth for any oral infection. When checking your German Shepherd Dog`s mouth, pay attention to the smell of your German Shepherd Dog`s breath to make sure that your German Shepherd Dog does not have bad breath as bad breath could be a sign of oral infection.
Furthermore, if you recently changed your German Shepherd Dog`s water source, and your German Shepherd Dog starts drinking less water, then you might want to change back to the old source.
German Shepherd Dog Drinking Too Much Water
Your German Shepherd Dog may be drinking too much water simply because you give it unrestricted access to water. Also, your German Shepherd Dog may be drinking too much because it has a health problem such as diabetes.
If your German Shepherd Dog is drinking too much water, then your German Shepherd Dog 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 German Shepherd Dog 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 German Shepherd Dog is drinking too much water, then your German Shepherd Dog will need to urinate frequently and take unnecessary bathroom breaks. This can be an inconvenience for your if you have to take your German Shepherd Dog out of the house for its bathroom breaks.
If your German Shepherd Dog is drinking too much water for no obvious reason, talk to your vet. However, if your German Shepherd Dog is drinking too much water because it has access to water, then limit your German Shepherd Dog`s access to water.
Do German Shepherd Dogs Drink a Lot of Water?
The amount of water a German Shepherd Dog needs is proportional to the German Shepherd Dog`s body weight and activity level. Older bigger adult German Shepherd Dogs drink a lot of water compared to younger smaller German Shepherd Dogs.
Also, German Shepherd Dogs that are not very active drink a lot less water than very active German Shepherd Dogs. Also, German Shepherd Dogs drink lots of water in the hot summer months than in the cold winter months.
To find how much water your German Shepherd Dog should be drinking, use our German Shepherd Dog dog water calculator to estimate your German Shepherd Dog`s daily water needs.
How to Tell if Your German Shepherd Dog is Drinking Too Much, Too Little, or Enough Water
A simple way to check if your German Shepherd Dog 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 German Shepherd Dog`s bowl so that your German Shepherd Dog can drink water without a limit.
Then, in the evening, measure the amount of water left in your German Shepherd Dog`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 German Shepherd Dog has drunk.
Finally, use our German Shepherd Dog 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 German Shepherd Dog water with a water fountain.
How To Tell If Your German Shepherd Dog is Dehydrated
If your German Shepherd Dog 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 German Shepherd Dog. 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 German Shepherd Dog in good health, you need to keep your German Shepherd Dog hydrated. Therefore, you need to keep an eye on your German Shepherd Dog`s water intake to make sure your German Shepherd Dog is getting the right amount of water that it needs.
To encourage your German Shepherd Dog to drink enough water, make sure that your German Shepherd Dog has access to clean water all the time.
A good way to ensure your German Shepherd Dog has clean water available to it is to invest in a good water fountain like one of these.
If you think your German Shepherd Dog is drinking an unusual amount of water (too much or too little), then do not hesitate to speak with a pet vet.