Quick Links: Table of Contents
- How Much Water Should a Shih Tzu drink?
- How to Calculate How Much Water Your Shih Tzu Needs
- Shih Tzu Water Calculator
- How Much Water Should a 8-Pound Shih Tzu Drink?
- How Much Water Should a 41-week-Old Shih Tzu Drink?
- How Much Water Should a 9-month-Old Shih Tzu Drink?
- How Much Water Should a 45-week-Old Shih Tzu Drink?
- How Much Water Should a 6-month-Old Shih Tzu Drink?
- Other Factors that Affects How Much Water Your Shih Tzu Needs
- Shih Tzu Not Drinking Enough Water
- Shih Tzu Drinking Too Much Water
- Do Shih Tzus Drink a Lot of Water?
- How to Tell if Your Shih Tzu is Drinking Too Much, Too Little, or Enough Water
- How To Tell If Your Shih Tzu is Dehydrated
- Conclusion
How Much Water Should a Shih Tzu drink?
Hydrating your hound is very important since water makes up approximately 56 percent of an adult Shih Tzu`s body weight (73 percent of lean body mass). Water is an essential nutrient for your Shih Tzu`s existence.
Your Shih Tzu 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 Shih Tzu, 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 Shih Tzu weighs 5.9 Kg (13.0 pounds), and therefore requires 295.5 milliliters (10.0 ounces or 1.2 cups) of water every day, given that your dog is not a very active dog.
Essentially, the amount of water your Shih Tzu needs a day depends very much on how much your Shih Tzu weighs.
Also, the amount of water your Shih Tzu drinks depends on your Shih Tzu activity level. Very active dogs need more water than inactive dogs.
Use our Shih Tzu water calculator to estimate how much water your Shih Tzu should drink every day based on its weight and activity level.
The Shih Tzu is generally a low-activity level dog breed. So, your Shih Tzu will drink less water than the regular average dog breed.
To find out how much food you need to be feeding your Shih Tzu, check out our Shih Tzu feeding guide and food calculator.
How to Calculate How Much Water Your Shih Tzu Needs
Enter the weight and activity level of your Shih Tzu in the Shih Tzu water calculator below to estimate how much water your Shih Tzu needs.
Shih Tzu Water Calculator
*1 cup = 8 fluid ounces = 236.588 milliliters
Our Shih Tzu 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 Shih Tzus of different activity levels (low, medium, and high) need.
In our calculator, a medium-activity level Shih Tzu needs one and a half as much water as a low-activity level Shih Tzu each day. Similarly, a high-activity level Shih Tzu needs twice as much water as a low-activity level Shih Tzu needs.
Check out our dog water calculator for all dog breeds here.
One way to improve your Shih Tzu`s water drinking experience is to buy your dog a water fountain.
A water fountain will also encourage your Shih Tzu to drink enough water.
This is because the continuously flowing stream of water with a fresh taste from a water fountain will entice your Shih Tzu to drink enough water.
Furthermore, pet water fountains continuously filter the water that it delivers to your dog. A water fountain ensures that your Shih Tzu has access to clean fresh filtered water all the time.
Giving your Shih Tzu water from a fountain is more hygienic than giving your Shih Tzu 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 Shih Tzus. 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 8-Pound Shih Tzu Drink?
A 8-pound Shih Tzu should drink 6.1 ounces (0.8 cups) of water every day.
Shih Tzus are generally high-activity dogs, and about 6.1 ounces is the amount of water a Low Activity Level 8-pound Shih Tzu needs every day.
However, if your 8-pound Shih Tzu is a high-activity dog, then it will need about 12.3 ounces of water (1.5 cups) every day.
Similarly, if your 8-pound Shih Tzu is of medium activity, then it will need about 9.2 ounces of water (1.2 cups) every day.
Use our Shih Tzu dog water calculator to find out how much water Shih Tzu should drink at different weights.
| Low Activity | Medium Activity | High Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 6.1 ounces (0.8 cups) | 9.2 ounces (1.2 cups) | 12.3 ounces (1.5 cups) |
How Much Water Should a 41-week-Old Shih Tzu Drink?
The average weight of 41-week-Old Shih Tzu is 12 pounds (5.5 kg).
Learn how much 41-week-Old Shih Tzu should weigh here.
A 12-pound Shih Tzu should drink 9.2 ounces (1.2 cups) of water every day.
Shih Tzus are generally high-activity dogs, and about 9.2 ounces is the amount of water a Low Activity Level 12-pound Shih Tzu needs every day.
However, if your 12-pound Shih Tzu is a high-activity dog, then it will need about 18.4 ounces of water (2.3 cups) every day.
Similarly, if your 12-pound Shih Tzu is of medium activity, then it will need about 13.8 ounces of water (1.7 cups) every day.
Use our Shih Tzu dog water calculator to find out how much water Shih Tzu should drink at different weights.
| Low Activity | Medium Activity | High Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 9.2 ounces (1.2 cups) | 13.8 ounces (1.7 cups) | 18.4 ounces (2.3 cups) |
How Much Water Should a 9-month-Old Shih Tzu Drink?
The average weight of 9-month-Old Shih Tzu is 12 pounds (5.3 kg).
Learn how much 9-month-Old Shih Tzu should weigh here.
A 12-pound Shih Tzu should drink 9.2 ounces (1.2 cups) of water every day.
Shih Tzus are generally high-activity dogs, and about 9.2 ounces is the amount of water a Low Activity Level 12-pound Shih Tzu needs every day.
However, if your 12-pound Shih Tzu is a high-activity dog, then it will need about 18.4 ounces of water (2.3 cups) every day.
Similarly, if your 12-pound Shih Tzu is of medium activity, then it will need about 13.8 ounces of water (1.7 cups) every day.
Use our Shih Tzu dog water calculator to find out how much water Shih Tzu should drink at different weights.
| Low Activity | Medium Activity | High Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 9.2 ounces (1.2 cups) | 13.8 ounces (1.7 cups) | 18.4 ounces (2.3 cups) |
How Much Water Should a 45-week-Old Shih Tzu Drink?
The average weight of 45-week-Old Shih Tzu is 12 pounds (5.5 kg).
Learn how much 45-week-Old Shih Tzu should weigh here.
A 12-pound Shih Tzu should drink 9.2 ounces (1.2 cups) of water every day.
Shih Tzus are generally high-activity dogs, and about 9.2 ounces is the amount of water a Low Activity Level 12-pound Shih Tzu needs every day.
However, if your 12-pound Shih Tzu is a high-activity dog, then it will need about 18.4 ounces of water (2.3 cups) every day.
Similarly, if your 12-pound Shih Tzu is of medium activity, then it will need about 13.8 ounces of water (1.7 cups) every day.
Use our Shih Tzu dog water calculator to find out how much water Shih Tzu should drink at different weights.
| Low Activity | Medium Activity | High Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 9.2 ounces (1.2 cups) | 13.8 ounces (1.7 cups) | 18.4 ounces (2.3 cups) |
How Much Water Should a 6-month-Old Shih Tzu Drink?
The average weight of 6-month-Old Shih Tzu is 10 pounds (4.5 kg).
Learn how much 6-month-Old Shih Tzu should weigh here.
A 10-pound Shih Tzu should drink 7.7 ounces (1.0 cups) of water every day.
Shih Tzus are generally high-activity dogs, and about 7.7 ounces is the amount of water a Low Activity Level 10-pound Shih Tzu needs every day.
However, if your 10-pound Shih Tzu is a high-activity dog, then it will need about 15.4 ounces of water (1.9 cups) every day.
Similarly, if your 10-pound Shih Tzu is of medium activity, then it will need about 11.5 ounces of water (1.4 cups) every day.
Use our Shih Tzu dog water calculator to find out how much water Shih Tzu should drink at different weights.
| Low Activity | Medium Activity | High Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 7.7 ounces (1.0 cups) | 11.5 ounces (1.4 cups) | 15.4 ounces (1.9 cups) |
Other Factors that Affects How Much Water Your Shih Tzu Needs
In addition to its weight and activity level, your Shih Tzu may need more or less water depending on other factors in your Shih Tzu`s life such as:
- The weather: Shih Tzus need more water during the hot summer than in the cold winter.
- Your Shih Tzu`s Diet: Shih Tzus that eat moist/wet food will require less water than Shih Tzus that eat dry food (kibble). Wet dog food contains 65-80% water, while dry dog food contains 10-12% water.
- Your Shih Tzu`s age: Senior Shih Tzus are generally more laid back than younger Shih Tzus, therefore senior Shih Tzus need less water.
- Pregnant Shih Tzus and lactating Shih Tzus: These need more water than normal.
- Shih Tzus on Medication: Certain medications may make your Shih Tzu drink more water.
Shih Tzu Not Drinking Enough Water
If your Shih Tzu is not drinking enough water, then your Shih Tzu is at risk of dehydration, and the problems that come with dehydration.
Problems that come with your Shih Tzu not drinking enough water include urinary tract issues like kidney stones and organ failure.
Your Shih Tzu may be drinking less water than usual because of the following reasons:
- Your Shih Tzu has limited access to fresh clean water.
- You changed your Shih Tzu`s food (e.g. from dry food to wet food)
- You changed your Shih Tzu`s water source
- The weather is cooler than it used to be
- Your Shih Tzu is less active than it used to be
- Your Shih Tzu is growing old
If none of these applies to your Shih Tzu, then it might be that your Shih Tzu has an underlying health condition and you might want to talk to your vet.
Also, your Shih Tzu 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 Shih Tzu is a picky drinker as such, then you should consider getting your Shih Tzu a water fountain like one of these. A water fountain will entice your Shih Tzu to drink water. With a water fountain, you can be sure that your Shih Tzu 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 Shih Tzu might not be drinking enough water.
Check your Shih Tzu`s mouth for any oral infection. When checking your Shih Tzu`s mouth, pay attention to the smell of your Shih Tzu`s breath to make sure that your Shih Tzu does not have bad breath as bad breath could be a sign of oral infection.
Furthermore, if you recently changed your Shih Tzu`s water source, and your Shih Tzu starts drinking less water, then you might want to change back to the old source.
Shih Tzu Drinking Too Much Water
Your Shih Tzu may be drinking too much water simply because you give it unrestricted access to water. Also, your Shih Tzu may be drinking too much because it has a health problem such as diabetes.
If your Shih Tzu is drinking too much water, then your Shih Tzu 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 Shih Tzu 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 Shih Tzu is drinking too much water, then your Shih Tzu will need to urinate frequently and take unnecessary bathroom breaks. This can be an inconvenience for your if you have to take your Shih Tzu out of the house for its bathroom breaks.
If your Shih Tzu is drinking too much water for no obvious reason, talk to your vet. However, if your Shih Tzu is drinking too much water because it has access to water, then limit your Shih Tzu`s access to water.
Do Shih Tzus Drink a Lot of Water?
The amount of water a Shih Tzu needs is proportional to the Shih Tzu`s body weight and activity level. Older bigger adult Shih Tzus drink a lot of water compared to younger smaller Shih Tzus.
Also, Shih Tzus that are not very active drink a lot less water than very active Shih Tzus. Also, Shih Tzus drink lots of water in the hot summer months than in the cold winter months.
To find how much water your Shih Tzu should be drinking, use our Shih Tzu dog water calculator to estimate your Shih Tzu`s daily water needs.
How to Tell if Your Shih Tzu is Drinking Too Much, Too Little, or Enough Water
A simple way to check if your Shih Tzu 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 Shih Tzu`s bowl so that your Shih Tzu can drink water without a limit.
Then, in the evening, measure the amount of water left in your Shih Tzu`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 Shih Tzu has drunk.
Finally, use our Shih Tzu 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 Shih Tzu water with a water fountain.
How To Tell If Your Shih Tzu is Dehydrated
If your Shih Tzu 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 Shih Tzu. 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 Shih Tzu in good health, you need to keep your Shih Tzu hydrated. Therefore, you need to keep an eye on your Shih Tzu`s water intake to make sure your Shih Tzu is getting the right amount of water that it needs.
To encourage your Shih Tzu to drink enough water, make sure that your Shih Tzu has access to clean water all the time.
A good way to ensure your Shih Tzu has clean water available to it is to invest in a good water fountain like one of these.
If you think your Shih Tzu is drinking an unusual amount of water (too much or too little), then do not hesitate to speak with a pet vet.