Quick Links: Table of Contents
- How Much Water Should a Golden Retriever drink?
- How to Calculate How Much Water Your Golden Retriever Needs
- Golden Retriever Water Calculator
- How Much Water Should a 54-Pound Golden Retriever Drink?
- How Much Water Should a 44-week-Old Golden Retriever Drink?
- How Much Water Should a 12-month-Old Golden Retriever Drink?
- How Much Water Should a 45-week-Old Golden Retriever Drink?
- How Much Water Should a 6-month-Old Golden Retriever Drink?
- Other Factors that Affects How Much Water Your Golden Retriever Needs
- Golden Retriever Not Drinking Enough Water
- Golden Retriever Drinking Too Much Water
- Do Golden Retrievers Drink a Lot of Water?
- How to Tell if Your Golden Retriever is Drinking Too Much, Too Little, or Enough Water
- How To Tell If Your Golden Retriever is Dehydrated
- Conclusion
How Much Water Should a Golden Retriever drink?
Hydrating your hound is very important since water makes up approximately 56 percent of an adult Golden Retriever`s body weight (73 percent of lean body mass). Water is an essential nutrient for your Golden Retriever`s existence.
Your Golden Retriever 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 Golden Retriever, 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 Golden Retriever weighs 29.9 Kg (66.0 pounds), and therefore requires 1500.0 milliliters (50.7 ounces or 6.3 cups) of water every day, given that your dog is not a very active dog.
Essentially, the amount of water your Golden Retriever needs a day depends very much on how much your Golden Retriever weighs.
Also, the amount of water your Golden Retriever drinks depends on your Golden Retriever activity level. Very active dogs need more water than inactive dogs.
Use our Golden Retriever water calculator to estimate how much water your Golden Retriever should drink every day based on its weight and activity level.
The Golden Retriever is generally a high-activity level dog breed. So, your Golden Retriever will drink more water than the regular average dog breed.
To find out how much food you need to be feeding your Golden Retriever, check out our Golden Retriever feeding guide and food calculator.
How to Calculate How Much Water Your Golden Retriever Needs
Enter the weight and activity level of your Golden Retriever in the Golden Retriever water calculator below to estimate how much water your Golden Retriever needs.
Golden Retriever Water Calculator
*1 cup = 8 fluid ounces = 236.588 milliliters
Our Golden Retriever 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 Golden Retrievers of different activity levels (low, medium, and high) need.
In our calculator, a medium-activity level Golden Retriever needs one and a half as much water as a low-activity level Golden Retriever each day. Similarly, a high-activity level Golden Retriever needs twice as much water as a low-activity level Golden Retriever needs.
Check out our dog water calculator for all dog breeds here.
One way to improve your Golden Retriever`s water drinking experience is to buy your dog a water fountain.
A water fountain will also encourage your Golden Retriever to drink enough water.
This is because the continuously flowing stream of water with a fresh taste from a water fountain will entice your Golden Retriever to drink enough water.
Furthermore, pet water fountains continuously filter the water that it delivers to your dog. A water fountain ensures that your Golden Retriever has access to clean fresh filtered water all the time.
Giving your Golden Retriever water from a fountain is more hygienic than giving your Golden Retriever 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 Golden Retrievers. These water fountains are durable, made with food-grade materials, and operate very quietly with little noise:
-
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 54-Pound Golden Retriever Drink?
A 54-pound Golden Retriever should drink 83.0 ounces (10.4 cups) of water every day.
Golden Retrievers are generally high-activity dogs, and about 83.0 ounces is the amount of water a High Activity Level 54-pound Golden Retriever needs every day.
However, if your 54-pound Golden Retriever is a low-activity dog, then it will need about 41.5 ounces of water (5.2 cups) every day.
Similarly, if your 54-pound Golden Retriever is of medium activity, then it will need about 62.2 ounces of water (7.8 cups) every day.
Use our Golden Retriever dog water calculator to find out how much water Golden Retriever should drink at different weights.
| Low Activity | Medium Activity | High Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 41.5 ounces (5.2 cups) | 62.2 ounces (7.8 cups) | 83.0 ounces (10.4 cups) |
How Much Water Should a 44-week-Old Golden Retriever Drink?
The average weight of 44-week-Old Golden Retriever is 62 pounds (28.0 kg).
Learn how much 44-week-Old Golden Retriever should weigh here.
A 62-pound Golden Retriever should drink 95.3 ounces (11.9 cups) of water every day.
Golden Retrievers are generally high-activity dogs, and about 95.3 ounces is the amount of water a High Activity Level 62-pound Golden Retriever needs every day.
However, if your 62-pound Golden Retriever is a low-activity dog, then it will need about 47.6 ounces of water (6.0 cups) every day.
Similarly, if your 62-pound Golden Retriever is of medium activity, then it will need about 71.5 ounces of water (8.9 cups) every day.
Use our Golden Retriever dog water calculator to find out how much water Golden Retriever should drink at different weights.
| Low Activity | Medium Activity | High Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 47.6 ounces (6.0 cups) | 71.5 ounces (8.9 cups) | 95.3 ounces (11.9 cups) |
How Much Water Should a 12-month-Old Golden Retriever Drink?
The average weight of 12-month-Old Golden Retriever is 63 pounds (28.6 kg).
Learn how much 12-month-Old Golden Retriever should weigh here.
A 63-pound Golden Retriever should drink 96.8 ounces (12.1 cups) of water every day.
Golden Retrievers are generally high-activity dogs, and about 96.8 ounces is the amount of water a High Activity Level 63-pound Golden Retriever needs every day.
However, if your 63-pound Golden Retriever is a low-activity dog, then it will need about 48.4 ounces of water (6.1 cups) every day.
Similarly, if your 63-pound Golden Retriever is of medium activity, then it will need about 72.6 ounces of water (9.1 cups) every day.
Use our Golden Retriever dog water calculator to find out how much water Golden Retriever should drink at different weights.
| Low Activity | Medium Activity | High Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 48.4 ounces (6.1 cups) | 72.6 ounces (9.1 cups) | 96.8 ounces (12.1 cups) |
How Much Water Should a 45-week-Old Golden Retriever Drink?
The average weight of 45-week-Old Golden Retriever is 62 pounds (28.2 kg).
Learn how much 45-week-Old Golden Retriever should weigh here.
A 62-pound Golden Retriever should drink 95.3 ounces (11.9 cups) of water every day.
Golden Retrievers are generally high-activity dogs, and about 95.3 ounces is the amount of water a High Activity Level 62-pound Golden Retriever needs every day.
However, if your 62-pound Golden Retriever is a low-activity dog, then it will need about 47.6 ounces of water (6.0 cups) every day.
Similarly, if your 62-pound Golden Retriever is of medium activity, then it will need about 71.5 ounces of water (8.9 cups) every day.
Use our Golden Retriever dog water calculator to find out how much water Golden Retriever should drink at different weights.
| Low Activity | Medium Activity | High Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 47.6 ounces (6.0 cups) | 71.5 ounces (8.9 cups) | 95.3 ounces (11.9 cups) |
How Much Water Should a 6-month-Old Golden Retriever Drink?
The average weight of 6-month-Old Golden Retriever is 46 pounds (20.9 kg).
Learn how much 6-month-Old Golden Retriever should weigh here.
A 46-pound Golden Retriever should drink 70.7 ounces (8.8 cups) of water every day.
Golden Retrievers are generally high-activity dogs, and about 70.7 ounces is the amount of water a High Activity Level 46-pound Golden Retriever needs every day.
However, if your 46-pound Golden Retriever is a low-activity dog, then it will need about 35.4 ounces of water (4.4 cups) every day.
Similarly, if your 46-pound Golden Retriever is of medium activity, then it will need about 53.0 ounces of water (6.6 cups) every day.
Use our Golden Retriever dog water calculator to find out how much water Golden Retriever should drink at different weights.
| Low Activity | Medium Activity | High Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 35.4 ounces (4.4 cups) | 53.0 ounces (6.6 cups) | 70.7 ounces (8.8 cups) |
Other Factors that Affects How Much Water Your Golden Retriever Needs
In addition to its weight and activity level, your Golden Retriever may need more or less water depending on other factors in your Golden Retriever`s life such as:
- The weather: Golden Retrievers need more water during the hot summer than in the cold winter.
- Your Golden Retriever`s Diet: Golden Retrievers that eat moist/wet food will require less water than Golden Retrievers that eat dry food (kibble). Wet dog food contains 65-80% water, while dry dog food contains 10-12% water.
- Your Golden Retriever`s age: Senior Golden Retrievers are generally more laid back than younger Golden Retrievers, therefore senior Golden Retrievers need less water.
- Pregnant Golden Retrievers and lactating Golden Retrievers: These need more water than normal.
- Golden Retrievers on Medication: Certain medications may make your Golden Retriever drink more water.
Golden Retriever Not Drinking Enough Water
If your Golden Retriever is not drinking enough water, then your Golden Retriever is at risk of dehydration, and the problems that come with dehydration.
Problems that come with your Golden Retriever not drinking enough water include urinary tract issues like kidney stones and organ failure.
Your Golden Retriever may be drinking less water than usual because of the following reasons:
- Your Golden Retriever has limited access to fresh clean water.
- You changed your Golden Retriever`s food (e.g. from dry food to wet food)
- You changed your Golden Retriever`s water source
- The weather is cooler than it used to be
- Your Golden Retriever is less active than it used to be
- Your Golden Retriever is growing old
If none of these applies to your Golden Retriever, then it might be that your Golden Retriever has an underlying health condition and you might want to talk to your vet.
Also, your Golden Retriever 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 Golden Retriever is a picky drinker as such, then you should consider getting your Golden Retriever a water fountain like one of these. A water fountain will entice your Golden Retriever to drink water. With a water fountain, you can be sure that your Golden Retriever 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 Golden Retriever might not be drinking enough water.
Check your Golden Retriever`s mouth for any oral infection. When checking your Golden Retriever`s mouth, pay attention to the smell of your Golden Retriever`s breath to make sure that your Golden Retriever does not have bad breath as bad breath could be a sign of oral infection.
Furthermore, if you recently changed your Golden Retriever`s water source, and your Golden Retriever starts drinking less water, then you might want to change back to the old source.
Golden Retriever Drinking Too Much Water
Your Golden Retriever may be drinking too much water simply because you give it unrestricted access to water. Also, your Golden Retriever may be drinking too much because it has a health problem such as diabetes.
If your Golden Retriever is drinking too much water, then your Golden Retriever 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 Golden Retriever 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 Golden Retriever is drinking too much water, then your Golden Retriever will need to urinate frequently and take unnecessary bathroom breaks. This can be an inconvenience for your if you have to take your Golden Retriever out of the house for its bathroom breaks.
If your Golden Retriever is drinking too much water for no obvious reason, talk to your vet. However, if your Golden Retriever is drinking too much water because it has access to water, then limit your Golden Retriever`s access to water.
Do Golden Retrievers Drink a Lot of Water?
The amount of water a Golden Retriever needs is proportional to the Golden Retriever`s body weight and activity level. Older bigger adult Golden Retrievers drink a lot of water compared to younger smaller Golden Retrievers.
Also, Golden Retrievers that are not very active drink a lot less water than very active Golden Retrievers. Also, Golden Retrievers drink lots of water in the hot summer months than in the cold winter months.
To find how much water your Golden Retriever should be drinking, use our Golden Retriever dog water calculator to estimate your Golden Retriever`s daily water needs.
How to Tell if Your Golden Retriever is Drinking Too Much, Too Little, or Enough Water
A simple way to check if your Golden Retriever 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 Golden Retriever`s bowl so that your Golden Retriever can drink water without a limit.
Then, in the evening, measure the amount of water left in your Golden Retriever`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 Golden Retriever has drunk.
Finally, use our Golden Retriever 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 Golden Retriever water with a water fountain.
How To Tell If Your Golden Retriever is Dehydrated
If your Golden Retriever 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 Golden Retriever. 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 Golden Retriever in good health, you need to keep your Golden Retriever hydrated. Therefore, you need to keep an eye on your Golden Retriever`s water intake to make sure your Golden Retriever is getting the right amount of water that it needs.
To encourage your Golden Retriever to drink enough water, make sure that your Golden Retriever has access to clean water all the time.
A good way to ensure your Golden Retriever has clean water available to it is to invest in a good water fountain like one of these.
If you think your Golden Retriever is drinking an unusual amount of water (too much or too little), then do not hesitate to speak with a pet vet.
