Quick Links: Table of Contents
- How Much Water Should a Labrador Retriever drink?
- How to Calculate How Much Water Your Labrador Retriever Needs
- Labrador Retriever Water Calculator
- How Much Water Should a 50-Pound Labrador Retriever Drink?
- How Much Water Should a 19-week-Old Labrador Retriever Drink?
- How Much Water Should a 3-month-Old Labrador Retriever Drink?
- How Much Water Should a 29-week-Old Labrador Retriever Drink?
- How Much Water Should a 3-month-Old Labrador Retriever Drink?
- Other Factors that Affects How Much Water Your Labrador Retriever Needs
- Labrador Retriever Not Drinking Enough Water
- Labrador Retriever Drinking Too Much Water
- Do Labrador Retrievers Drink a Lot of Water?
- How to Tell if Your Labrador Retriever is Drinking Too Much, Too Little, or Enough Water
- How To Tell If Your Labrador Retriever is Dehydrated
- Conclusion
How Much Water Should a Labrador Retriever drink?
Hydrating your hound is very important since water makes up approximately 56 percent of an adult Labrador Retriever`s body weight (73 percent of lean body mass). Water is an essential nutrient for your Labrador Retriever`s existence.
Your Labrador 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 Labrador 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 Labrador Retriever 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 Labrador Retriever needs a day depends very much on how much your Labrador Retriever weighs.
Also, the amount of water your Labrador Retriever drinks depends on your Labrador Retriever activity level. Very active dogs need more water than inactive dogs.
Use our Labrador Retriever water calculator to estimate how much water your Labrador Retriever should drink every day based on its weight and activity level.
The Labrador Retriever is generally a high-activity level dog breed. So, your Labrador Retriever will drink more water than the regular average dog breed.
To find out how much food you need to be feeding your Labrador Retriever, check out our Labrador Retriever feeding guide and food calculator.
How to Calculate How Much Water Your Labrador Retriever Needs
Enter the weight and activity level of your Labrador Retriever in the Labrador Retriever water calculator below to estimate how much water your Labrador Retriever needs.
Labrador Retriever Water Calculator
*1 cup = 8 fluid ounces = 236.588 milliliters
Our Labrador 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 Labrador Retrievers of different activity levels (low, medium, and high) need.
In our calculator, a medium-activity level Labrador Retriever needs one and a half as much water as a low-activity level Labrador Retriever each day. Similarly, a high-activity level Labrador Retriever needs twice as much water as a low-activity level Labrador Retriever needs.
Check out our dog water calculator for all dog breeds here.
One way to improve your Labrador Retriever`s water drinking experience is to buy your dog a water fountain.
A water fountain will also encourage your Labrador 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 Labrador 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 Labrador Retriever has access to clean fresh filtered water all the time.
Giving your Labrador Retriever water from a fountain is more hygienic than giving your Labrador 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 Labrador Retrievers. These water fountains are durable, made with food-grade materials, and operate very quietly with little noise:
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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 50-Pound Labrador Retriever Drink?
A 50-pound Labrador Retriever should drink 76.8 ounces (9.6 cups) of water every day.
Labrador Retrievers are generally high-activity dogs, and about 76.8 ounces is the amount of water a High Activity Level 50-pound Labrador Retriever needs every day.
However, if your 50-pound Labrador Retriever is a low-activity dog, then it will need about 38.4 ounces of water (4.8 cups) every day.
Similarly, if your 50-pound Labrador Retriever is of medium activity, then it will need about 57.6 ounces of water (7.2 cups) every day.
Use our Labrador Retriever dog water calculator to find out how much water Labrador Retriever should drink at different weights.
| Low Activity | Medium Activity | High Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 38.4 ounces (4.8 cups) | 57.6 ounces (7.2 cups) | 76.8 ounces (9.6 cups) |
How Much Water Should a 19-week-Old Labrador Retriever Drink?
The average weight of 19-week-Old Labrador Retriever is 39 pounds (17.8 kg).
Learn how much 19-week-Old Labrador Retriever should weigh here.
A 39-pound Labrador Retriever should drink 59.9 ounces (7.5 cups) of water every day.
Labrador Retrievers are generally high-activity dogs, and about 59.9 ounces is the amount of water a High Activity Level 39-pound Labrador Retriever needs every day.
However, if your 39-pound Labrador Retriever 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 Labrador Retriever is of medium activity, then it will need about 45.0 ounces of water (5.6 cups) every day.
Use our Labrador Retriever dog water calculator to find out how much water Labrador Retriever 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 3-month-Old Labrador Retriever Drink?
The average weight of 3-month-Old Labrador Retriever is 25 pounds (11.2 kg).
Learn how much 3-month-Old Labrador Retriever should weigh here.
A 25-pound Labrador Retriever should drink 38.4 ounces (4.8 cups) of water every day.
Labrador Retrievers are generally high-activity dogs, and about 38.4 ounces is the amount of water a High Activity Level 25-pound Labrador Retriever needs every day.
However, if your 25-pound Labrador Retriever is a low-activity dog, then it will need about 19.2 ounces of water (2.4 cups) every day.
Similarly, if your 25-pound Labrador Retriever is of medium activity, then it will need about 28.8 ounces of water (3.6 cups) every day.
Use our Labrador Retriever dog water calculator to find out how much water Labrador Retriever should drink at different weights.
| Low Activity | Medium Activity | High Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 19.2 ounces (2.4 cups) | 28.8 ounces (3.6 cups) | 38.4 ounces (4.8 cups) |
How Much Water Should a 29-week-Old Labrador Retriever Drink?
The average weight of 29-week-Old Labrador Retriever is 53 pounds (24.1 kg).
Learn how much 29-week-Old Labrador Retriever should weigh here.
A 53-pound Labrador Retriever should drink 81.5 ounces (10.2 cups) of water every day.
Labrador Retrievers are generally high-activity dogs, and about 81.5 ounces is the amount of water a High Activity Level 53-pound Labrador Retriever needs every day.
However, if your 53-pound Labrador Retriever is a low-activity dog, then it will need about 40.7 ounces of water (5.1 cups) every day.
Similarly, if your 53-pound Labrador Retriever is of medium activity, then it will need about 61.1 ounces of water (7.6 cups) every day.
Use our Labrador Retriever dog water calculator to find out how much water Labrador Retriever should drink at different weights.
| Low Activity | Medium Activity | High Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 40.7 ounces (5.1 cups) | 61.1 ounces (7.6 cups) | 81.5 ounces (10.2 cups) |
How Much Water Should a 3-month-Old Labrador Retriever Drink?
The average weight of 3-month-Old Labrador Retriever is 25 pounds (11.2 kg).
Learn how much 3-month-Old Labrador Retriever should weigh here.
A 25-pound Labrador Retriever should drink 38.4 ounces (4.8 cups) of water every day.
Labrador Retrievers are generally high-activity dogs, and about 38.4 ounces is the amount of water a High Activity Level 25-pound Labrador Retriever needs every day.
However, if your 25-pound Labrador Retriever is a low-activity dog, then it will need about 19.2 ounces of water (2.4 cups) every day.
Similarly, if your 25-pound Labrador Retriever is of medium activity, then it will need about 28.8 ounces of water (3.6 cups) every day.
Use our Labrador Retriever dog water calculator to find out how much water Labrador Retriever should drink at different weights.
| Low Activity | Medium Activity | High Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 19.2 ounces (2.4 cups) | 28.8 ounces (3.6 cups) | 38.4 ounces (4.8 cups) |
Other Factors that Affects How Much Water Your Labrador Retriever Needs
In addition to its weight and activity level, your Labrador Retriever may need more or less water depending on other factors in your Labrador Retriever`s life such as:
- The weather: Labrador Retrievers need more water during the hot summer than in the cold winter.
- Your Labrador Retriever`s Diet: Labrador Retrievers that eat moist/wet food will require less water than Labrador Retrievers that eat dry food (kibble). Wet dog food contains 65-80% water, while dry dog food contains 10-12% water.
- Your Labrador Retriever`s age: Senior Labrador Retrievers are generally more laid back than younger Labrador Retrievers, therefore senior Labrador Retrievers need less water.
- Pregnant Labrador Retrievers and lactating Labrador Retrievers: These need more water than normal.
- Labrador Retrievers on Medication: Certain medications may make your Labrador Retriever drink more water.
Labrador Retriever Not Drinking Enough Water
If your Labrador Retriever is not drinking enough water, then your Labrador Retriever is at risk of dehydration, and the problems that come with dehydration.
Problems that come with your Labrador Retriever not drinking enough water include urinary tract issues like kidney stones and organ failure.
Your Labrador Retriever may be drinking less water than usual because of the following reasons:
- Your Labrador Retriever has limited access to fresh clean water.
- You changed your Labrador Retriever`s food (e.g. from dry food to wet food)
- You changed your Labrador Retriever`s water source
- The weather is cooler than it used to be
- Your Labrador Retriever is less active than it used to be
- Your Labrador Retriever is growing old
If none of these applies to your Labrador Retriever, then it might be that your Labrador Retriever has an underlying health condition and you might want to talk to your vet.
Also, your Labrador 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 Labrador Retriever is a picky drinker as such, then you should consider getting your Labrador Retriever a water fountain like one of these. A water fountain will entice your Labrador Retriever to drink water. With a water fountain, you can be sure that your Labrador 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 Labrador Retriever might not be drinking enough water.
Check your Labrador Retriever`s mouth for any oral infection. When checking your Labrador Retriever`s mouth, pay attention to the smell of your Labrador Retriever`s breath to make sure that your Labrador Retriever does not have bad breath as bad breath could be a sign of oral infection.
Furthermore, if you recently changed your Labrador Retriever`s water source, and your Labrador Retriever starts drinking less water, then you might want to change back to the old source.
Labrador Retriever Drinking Too Much Water
Your Labrador Retriever may be drinking too much water simply because you give it unrestricted access to water. Also, your Labrador Retriever may be drinking too much because it has a health problem such as diabetes.
If your Labrador Retriever is drinking too much water, then your Labrador 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 Labrador 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 Labrador Retriever is drinking too much water, then your Labrador Retriever will need to urinate frequently and take unnecessary bathroom breaks. This can be an inconvenience for your if you have to take your Labrador Retriever out of the house for its bathroom breaks.
If your Labrador Retriever is drinking too much water for no obvious reason, talk to your vet. However, if your Labrador Retriever is drinking too much water because it has access to water, then limit your Labrador Retriever`s access to water.
Do Labrador Retrievers Drink a Lot of Water?
The amount of water a Labrador Retriever needs is proportional to the Labrador Retriever`s body weight and activity level. Older bigger adult Labrador Retrievers drink a lot of water compared to younger smaller Labrador Retrievers.
Also, Labrador Retrievers that are not very active drink a lot less water than very active Labrador Retrievers. Also, Labrador Retrievers drink lots of water in the hot summer months than in the cold winter months.
To find how much water your Labrador Retriever should be drinking, use our Labrador Retriever dog water calculator to estimate your Labrador Retriever`s daily water needs.
How to Tell if Your Labrador Retriever is Drinking Too Much, Too Little, or Enough Water
A simple way to check if your Labrador 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 Labrador Retriever`s bowl so that your Labrador Retriever can drink water without a limit.
Then, in the evening, measure the amount of water left in your Labrador 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 Labrador Retriever has drunk.
Finally, use our Labrador 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 Labrador Retriever water with a water fountain.
How To Tell If Your Labrador Retriever is Dehydrated
If your Labrador 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 Labrador 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 Labrador Retriever in good health, you need to keep your Labrador Retriever hydrated. Therefore, you need to keep an eye on your Labrador Retriever`s water intake to make sure your Labrador Retriever is getting the right amount of water that it needs.
To encourage your Labrador Retriever to drink enough water, make sure that your Labrador Retriever has access to clean water all the time.
A good way to ensure your Labrador Retriever has clean water available to it is to invest in a good water fountain like one of these.
If you think your Labrador Retriever is drinking an unusual amount of water (too much or too little), then do not hesitate to speak with a pet vet.