Drinking

[cleedaub1]

We have recently rehomed a Saluki cross bitch, about 18 months old. A delightful pet in every way, except she hardly ever seems to drink. We leave fresh water but she rarely touches it. All we can do is add plenty of fluids (milk and water) to her food, which goes down without any problem. The reason we are concerned is that we had a whippet bitch some years ago with similar behaviour, and it affected her urinary system to the extent that she finally had to be put to sleep. We don't want this to happen to Tilly. Any ideas, anyone ?

[drgnrdr]

I hope she isn't lactose intolerant with the milk I assume she isn't. Try adding low sodium/low fat chicken or beef broth to her water, either warm or cold, try both. I have a GSD with a tendency to form crystals (leading to struvite stones) in her urine, I had to give her an amino acid additive (methionine-vet supervision) to make her urine more balanced, also I added cranberry to her diet. One way is to add water to their food like your doing, and I also have to give her canned food too (they're mostly water), but she gets her teeth brushed every other day to help with tartar/plaque canned food can cause. I also elevated her dish so she doesn't have to stoop over like a giraffe. There was a previous thread in this area before, you might want to go back and see what others have said. Go to a Urinary website for dogs and they might have some tips also, for like renal failure or such. Hope everything goes alright....

[cleedaub1]

Thanks drgnrdr - I read somewhere else about the chicken/beef broth, but haven't so far been able to find it (or do you make it up yourself ?) Will take note of the teeth brushing also. The vet has done a urine sample and found no serious problems with crystals but asked for another sample in a month. Thanks again

[drgnrdr]

I am not sure if you get the same kind of stuff I do. Are you in the UK? I am in California here in the states. Wonder if you can order it or, why you guys would not have canned beef broth to make like soups and stuff from a stock. It's at my grocery store with the soups and things. Maybe Bullion cubes area? Not sure if cubes can be used I don't want to much sodium in their water. I suppose you can cook some chicken or something like that. Like I said if you're in the UK not sure what you have.

[Solarjunkie]

Our saluki is the same, seldom drinks. Perhaps it is something to do with being a desert animal?

She does drink rainwater from a watering can that I keep topped up just so she can drink it! Sighthounds often seem to prefer a raised drink.

I don't really think there is anything you can do but keep fresh water and rainwater available both on the floor and raised. It's not only horses that you can lead to water............!

[titchzeus]

you do not said if she eat dry food or tin they is lot of water in tin food or if she eat dry put hot water on it  then let it cool down be for you give it i wean all my puppy like this it give more water with out them knowing

[Kimmiebear]

Get your water tested if you are not on city water. Try filtering it to get rid of the clorine smell if you are on city water. Keep watering her food, and ask your vet.

[Buenchico]

Please ask for your vet's advice but don't start panicking! Animals seem to vary enormously in what they drink and it only rarely seems to effect their health. My friend's English Setter never seemed to stop drinking. My friend was always worried about it but the dog lived a long and healthy life. Conversely, I got a cat from a rescue centre which didn't go near its water bowl for the first 3 years(!) with me - it got all it's fluids from its food. Once again, it lived a (very) long and healthy life.

So, check it out but don't worry too much.

Chris