Quick Links: Table of Contents
- How Much Water Should a Shichon drink?
- How to Calculate How Much Water Your Shichon Needs
- Shichon Water Calculator
- How Much Water Should a 7-Pound Shichon Drink?
- How Much Water Should a 28-week-Old Shichon Drink?
- How Much Water Should a 5-month-Old Shichon Drink?
- How Much Water Should a 18-week-Old Shichon Drink?
- How Much Water Should a 4-month-Old Shichon Drink?
- Other Factors that Affects How Much Water Your Shichon Needs
- Shichon Not Drinking Enough Water
- Shichon Drinking Too Much Water
- Do Shichons Drink a Lot of Water?
- How to Tell if Your Shichon is Drinking Too Much, Too Little, or Enough Water
- How To Tell If Your Shichon is Dehydrated
- Conclusion
How Much Water Should a Shichon drink?
Hydrating your hound is very important since water makes up approximately 56 percent of an adult Shichon`s body weight (73 percent of lean body mass). Water is an essential nutrient for your Shichon`s existence.
Your Shichon 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 Shichon, 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 Shichon weighs 5.0 Kg (11.0 pounds), and therefore requires 250.0 milliliters (8.5 ounces or 1.1 cups) of water every day, given that your dog is not a very active dog.
Essentially, the amount of water your Shichon needs a day depends very much on how much your Shichon weighs.
Also, the amount of water your Shichon drinks depends on your Shichon activity level. Very active dogs need more water than inactive dogs.
Use our Shichon water calculator to estimate how much water your Shichon should drink every day based on its weight and activity level.
The Shichon is generally a high-activity level dog breed. So, your Shichon will drink more water than the regular average dog breed.
To find out how much food you need to be feeding your Shichon, check out our Shichon feeding guide and food calculator.
How to Calculate How Much Water Your Shichon Needs
Enter the weight and activity level of your Shichon in the Shichon water calculator below to estimate how much water your Shichon needs.
Shichon Water Calculator
*1 cup = 8 fluid ounces = 236.588 milliliters
Our Shichon 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 Shichons of different activity levels (low, medium, and high) need.
In our calculator, a medium-activity level Shichon needs one and a half as much water as a low-activity level Shichon each day. Similarly, a high-activity level Shichon needs twice as much water as a low-activity level Shichon needs.
Check out our dog water calculator for all dog breeds here.
One way to improve your Shichon`s water drinking experience is to buy your dog a water fountain.
A water fountain will also encourage your Shichon to drink enough water.
This is because the continuously flowing stream of water with a fresh taste from a water fountain will entice your Shichon to drink enough water.
Furthermore, pet water fountains continuously filter the water that it delivers to your dog. A water fountain ensures that your Shichon has access to clean fresh filtered water all the time.
Giving your Shichon water from a fountain is more hygienic than giving your Shichon 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 Shichons. 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 7-Pound Shichon Drink?
A 7-pound Shichon should drink 10.8 ounces (1.3 cups) of water every day.
Shichons are generally high-activity dogs, and about 10.8 ounces is the amount of water a High Activity Level 7-pound Shichon needs every day.
However, if your 7-pound Shichon is a low-activity dog, then it will need about 5.4 ounces of water (0.7 cups) every day.
Similarly, if your 7-pound Shichon is of medium activity, then it will need about 8.1 ounces of water (1.0 cups) every day.
Use our Shichon dog water calculator to find out how much water Shichon should drink at different weights.
| Low Activity | Medium Activity | High Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 5.4 ounces (0.7 cups) | 8.1 ounces (1.0 cups) | 10.8 ounces (1.3 cups) |
How Much Water Should a 28-week-Old Shichon Drink?
The average weight of 28-week-Old Shichon is 9 pounds (3.9 kg).
Learn how much 28-week-Old Shichon should weigh here.
A 9-pound Shichon should drink 13.8 ounces (1.7 cups) of water every day.
Shichons are generally high-activity dogs, and about 13.8 ounces is the amount of water a High Activity Level 9-pound Shichon needs every day.
However, if your 9-pound Shichon is a low-activity dog, then it will need about 6.9 ounces of water (0.9 cups) every day.
Similarly, if your 9-pound Shichon is of medium activity, then it will need about 10.4 ounces of water (1.3 cups) every day.
Use our Shichon dog water calculator to find out how much water Shichon should drink at different weights.
| Low Activity | Medium Activity | High Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 6.9 ounces (0.9 cups) | 10.4 ounces (1.3 cups) | 13.8 ounces (1.7 cups) |
How Much Water Should a 5-month-Old Shichon Drink?
The average weight of 5-month-Old Shichon is 7 pounds (3.2 kg).
Learn how much 5-month-Old Shichon should weigh here.
A 7-pound Shichon should drink 10.8 ounces (1.3 cups) of water every day.
Shichons are generally high-activity dogs, and about 10.8 ounces is the amount of water a High Activity Level 7-pound Shichon needs every day.
However, if your 7-pound Shichon is a low-activity dog, then it will need about 5.4 ounces of water (0.7 cups) every day.
Similarly, if your 7-pound Shichon is of medium activity, then it will need about 8.1 ounces of water (1.0 cups) every day.
Use our Shichon dog water calculator to find out how much water Shichon should drink at different weights.
| Low Activity | Medium Activity | High Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 5.4 ounces (0.7 cups) | 8.1 ounces (1.0 cups) | 10.8 ounces (1.3 cups) |
How Much Water Should a 18-week-Old Shichon Drink?
The average weight of 18-week-Old Shichon is 7 pounds (3.0 kg).
Learn how much 18-week-Old Shichon should weigh here.
A 7-pound Shichon should drink 10.8 ounces (1.3 cups) of water every day.
Shichons are generally high-activity dogs, and about 10.8 ounces is the amount of water a High Activity Level 7-pound Shichon needs every day.
However, if your 7-pound Shichon is a low-activity dog, then it will need about 5.4 ounces of water (0.7 cups) every day.
Similarly, if your 7-pound Shichon is of medium activity, then it will need about 8.1 ounces of water (1.0 cups) every day.
Use our Shichon dog water calculator to find out how much water Shichon should drink at different weights.
| Low Activity | Medium Activity | High Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 5.4 ounces (0.7 cups) | 8.1 ounces (1.0 cups) | 10.8 ounces (1.3 cups) |
How Much Water Should a 4-month-Old Shichon Drink?
The average weight of 4-month-Old Shichon is 6 pounds (2.7 kg).
Learn how much 4-month-Old Shichon should weigh here.
A 6-pound Shichon should drink 9.2 ounces (1.2 cups) of water every day.
Shichons are generally high-activity dogs, and about 9.2 ounces is the amount of water a High Activity Level 6-pound Shichon needs every day.
However, if your 6-pound Shichon is a low-activity dog, then it will need about 4.6 ounces of water (0.6 cups) every day.
Similarly, if your 6-pound Shichon is of medium activity, then it will need about 6.9 ounces of water (0.9 cups) every day.
Use our Shichon dog water calculator to find out how much water Shichon 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 Shichon Needs
In addition to its weight and activity level, your Shichon may need more or less water depending on other factors in your Shichon`s life such as:
- The weather: Shichons need more water during the hot summer than in the cold winter.
- Your Shichon`s Diet: Shichons that eat moist/wet food will require less water than Shichons that eat dry food (kibble). Wet dog food contains 65-80% water, while dry dog food contains 10-12% water.
- Your Shichon`s age: Senior Shichons are generally more laid back than younger Shichons, therefore senior Shichons need less water.
- Pregnant Shichons and lactating Shichons: These need more water than normal.
- Shichons on Medication: Certain medications may make your Shichon drink more water.
Shichon Not Drinking Enough Water
If your Shichon is not drinking enough water, then your Shichon is at risk of dehydration, and the problems that come with dehydration.
Problems that come with your Shichon not drinking enough water include urinary tract issues like kidney stones and organ failure.
Your Shichon may be drinking less water than usual because of the following reasons:
- Your Shichon has limited access to fresh clean water.
- You changed your Shichon`s food (e.g. from dry food to wet food)
- You changed your Shichon`s water source
- The weather is cooler than it used to be
- Your Shichon is less active than it used to be
- Your Shichon is growing old
If none of these applies to your Shichon, then it might be that your Shichon has an underlying health condition and you might want to talk to your vet.
Also, your Shichon 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 Shichon is a picky drinker as such, then you should consider getting your Shichon a water fountain like one of these. A water fountain will entice your Shichon to drink water. With a water fountain, you can be sure that your Shichon 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 Shichon might not be drinking enough water.
Check your Shichon`s mouth for any oral infection. When checking your Shichon`s mouth, pay attention to the smell of your Shichon`s breath to make sure that your Shichon does not have bad breath as bad breath could be a sign of oral infection.
Furthermore, if you recently changed your Shichon`s water source, and your Shichon starts drinking less water, then you might want to change back to the old source.
Shichon Drinking Too Much Water
Your Shichon may be drinking too much water simply because you give it unrestricted access to water. Also, your Shichon may be drinking too much because it has a health problem such as diabetes.
If your Shichon is drinking too much water, then your Shichon 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 Shichon 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 Shichon is drinking too much water, then your Shichon will need to urinate frequently and take unnecessary bathroom breaks. This can be an inconvenience for your if you have to take your Shichon out of the house for its bathroom breaks.
If your Shichon is drinking too much water for no obvious reason, talk to your vet. However, if your Shichon is drinking too much water because it has access to water, then limit your Shichon`s access to water.
Do Shichons Drink a Lot of Water?
The amount of water a Shichon needs is proportional to the Shichon`s body weight and activity level. Older bigger adult Shichons drink a lot of water compared to younger smaller Shichons.
Also, Shichons that are not very active drink a lot less water than very active Shichons. Also, Shichons drink lots of water in the hot summer months than in the cold winter months.
To find how much water your Shichon should be drinking, use our Shichon dog water calculator to estimate your Shichon`s daily water needs.
How to Tell if Your Shichon is Drinking Too Much, Too Little, or Enough Water
A simple way to check if your Shichon 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 Shichon`s bowl so that your Shichon can drink water without a limit.
Then, in the evening, measure the amount of water left in your Shichon`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 Shichon has drunk.
Finally, use our Shichon 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 Shichon water with a water fountain.
How To Tell If Your Shichon is Dehydrated
If your Shichon 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 Shichon. 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 Shichon in good health, you need to keep your Shichon hydrated. Therefore, you need to keep an eye on your Shichon`s water intake to make sure your Shichon is getting the right amount of water that it needs.
To encourage your Shichon to drink enough water, make sure that your Shichon has access to clean water all the time.
A good way to ensure your Shichon has clean water available to it is to invest in a good water fountain like one of these.
If you think your Shichon is drinking an unusual amount of water (too much or too little), then do not hesitate to speak with a pet vet.