How Much Water Should You Take for Your Dog on a Walk? The Right Amount
Heading out for an hour's walk, an afternoon in the woods or a full day's hike: should you pack 250 ml, 1 litre or more? Knowing how much water to take for your dog on a walk avoids two common pitfalls: the little bottle that's empty after an hour, and the rucksack weighed down for nothing. In this guide, we give you a simple rule of thumb based on your dog's weight, the length of the outing and the weather, in summer and winter alike, plus the right habits for getting your dog to drink at the right time.
How much water does a dog drink a day?
A healthy dog drinks on average 50 to 60 ml of water per kilo of body weight per day. So a 20 kg dog needs roughly 1 to 1.2 litres of water a day, from all sources.
This need rises sharply with heat and exercise, when it can approach 100 ml per kilo per day. On the other hand, a dog fed wet food drinks less than one fed kibble, since some of its water already comes from the bowl.
If your dog consistently drinks more than 100 ml per kilo per day without heat or particular exertion, talk to your vet: excessive thirst can be a sign of a health problem. For the basics of hydration at home, have a look at our article on how to keep your dog hydrated and protect it from the heat.
How much water should you take for your dog, based on its weight and the length of the walk?
To go from the daily need to the amount to slip into your bag, we use a simple rule of thumb: about a quarter of the daily need for a one-hour walk, half for a half-day, and a full day's worth for a day-long hike. The amounts are rounded up: a dog that's walking and sniffing drinks more than one at rest.
| Dog's weight | Daily need (at rest) | 1-hour walk | Half-day (3 to 4 h) | Day's hike |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 kg | 250 to 300 ml | about 100 ml | about 150 ml | about 300 ml |
| 10 kg | 500 to 600 ml | about 150 ml | about 300 ml | about 600 ml |
| 20 kg | 1 to 1.2 L | about 300 ml | about 600 ml | about 1.2 L |
| 30 kg | 1.5 to 1.8 L | about 450 ml | about 900 ml | about 1.8 L |
| 40 kg | 2 to 2.4 L | about 600 ml | about 1.2 L | about 2.4 L |
In hot weather or during sustained exercise (climbs, canicross, energetic play), allow up to double these amounts. This table is a handy guide, not a prescription: for a puppy, an older dog or a dog on medication, ask your vet for advice.
Tip: always fill up a little more than you think you'll need. Better to come home with water left in the bottle than to run out halfway. And don't forget your own bottle: your dog's water isn't a reserve to share.
Work out how much water to take for your dog
For a figure tailored to your outing, use our calculator: it's based on the table above and takes the weather and the intensity of the walk into account. The result updates with every setting.
Set the 4 criteria and the result appears instantly
Rough guide for a healthy adult dog. For a puppy, a senior or a dog on medication, ask your vet for advice.
What changes how much water your dog needs
- The weather: heat and humidity greatly increase water loss, because dogs cool down mainly by panting.
- How hard the outing is: a stroll around town is nothing like a mountain hike. To see where your dog fits, read our article on your dog's exercise needs.
- Diet: kibble and wet food don't provide the same amount of water.
- Build: flat-faced dogs (Bulldogs, Pugs) and thick-coated dogs cope less well with heat and exercise.
- Age: puppies and seniors dehydrate faster and often prefer to drink small amounts, more often.
- Safe water points along the route: a tap at a café or a drinking fountain lets you refill, so you can carry less.
How often should your dog drink during a walk?
Dogs don't always think to drink when they're busy exploring. In normal conditions, offer water every 30 to 45 minutes. In hot weather or during sustained exercise, bring the breaks closer together, to every 20 to 30 minutes.
Go for small, regular amounts rather than one big bowlful. After a run or a climb, let your dog catch its breath for a moment, then offer it a drink. Some dogs get so excited on walks that they refuse water mid-action: offer it calmly, in the shade, without insisting.
Avoid: letting your dog drink from puddles, ponds or stagnant water. They can carry bacteria such as the one that causes leptospirosis and, in winter, traces of antifreeze by roads and car parks, which is highly toxic to dogs.
Do you need to think about your dog's water in autumn and winter?
Yes, and that's often when it gets forgotten. When it's cool, we're less likely to grab a bottle, yet dogs keep losing water by panting during exercise.
Snow isn't a good substitute: eating a lot of it can upset some dogs' stomachs, and it actually provides little water for its volume. Better to offer cool water, but not ice-cold, which some dogs turn their noses up at in cold weather.
That's the beauty of an insulated bottle all year round: its double stainless steel wall limits heat exchange, keeping water cool in summer and stopping it from turning icy too quickly in winter.
In town, on a hike or in the car: how to keep your dog hydrated on every kind of outing
- đïž The city dog: public drinking fountains are rarely at snout height, and pavements heat up fast. A compact bottle with a built-in bowl saves you hunting for water between streets or getting your dog to drink from your cupped hand.
- đ„Ÿ The hiking dog: use the table above, find drinking water points along your route and plan a refill for big dogs or long days. Our guide to kitting out your dog for a hike completes the list.
- đ The travelling dog: offer water at every stop on the journey rather than while driving, and never leave your dog alone in a vehicle.
Whatever the outing, the container matters as much as the amount. Good kit combines four things: a dedicated, clean bowl, a leak-proof seal for your bag, an insulated wall and a capacity to suit your dog. That's exactly what we designed our 3-in-1 insulated dog water bottles for: a 1-litre double-walled stainless steel reservoir, two screw-on bowls of 250 and 270 ml for water or kibble, and a leak-proof silicone seal. The newest addition, the Graffiti 1 L dog water bottle, with its street-art-inspired designs on a yellow background, is a fun nod to urban walks.
How can you tell if your dog has drunk enough?
A well-hydrated dog has moist, shiny gums, keeps its energy up and produces pale urine. The skin-tent test also tells you a lot: gently pinch the skin between the shoulder blades, and it should spring back almost immediately.
On the other hand, dry or sticky gums, excessive panting, unusual tiredness or eyes that look sunken should set alarm bells ringing. Stop in the shade, offer water in small sips and contact your vet if the signs persist. Heavy panting combined with unsteady walking or vomiting can point to heatstroke: that's a veterinary emergency.
6 habits for keeping your dog hydrated on walks
- Work out how much water to take based on your dog's weight and the length of the outing (our calculator does it for you), then add a little extra.
- Offer a drink every 30 to 45 minutes, and every 20 to 30 minutes when it's hot.
- Use a dedicated, clean bowl rather than your hands or a bottle cap.
- Keep your dog away from puddles, ponds and stagnant water.
- Think about water all year round, even in cool weather.
- Wash the bottle after every outing and leave it open to dry.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 1-litre bottle enough for my dog?
For a one- to two-hour walk, 1 litre suits the vast majority of dogs. For a half-day in mild weather, it easily covers the needs of a dog up to about 30 kg. For a big dog, a full day or very hot weather, plan a refill or a drinking water point along the route.
How much water should I take on a hike with a 30 kg dog?
Allow about 900 ml for a half-day and 1.8 litres for a full day in mild weather. In very hot weather or on a demanding route, these amounts can double.
Can I give my dog very cold water?
Cool water is ideal. The idea that cold water is dangerous for a healthy dog hasn't been proven, but to be safe, after hard exercise, offer it in small amounts rather than one big bowl gulped down in one go. Some dogs are also less keen on ice-cold water in winter.
My dog won't drink during walks. Is that a problem?
Not necessarily: lots of dogs are too busy sniffing to drink. Offer water calmly, in the shade, during breaks. However, if your dog also refuses to drink at home, or shows signs of dehydration, see your vet.
Can my dog drink from rivers?
Clear, running water is less risky than a puddle or pond, but the risk is never zero. Fresh water can transmit leptospirosis and, in summer, some rivers and lakes are affected by toxic blue-green algae (cyanobacteria). Follow any warning signs and carry clean water with you.
In short
A dog drinks on average 50 to 60 ml of water per kilo per day, and up to double in hot weather or during exercise. To know how much water to take for your dog on a walk, remember: a quarter of its daily need for an hour, half for a half-day, and a full day's worth for a day-long hike. Offer it a drink regularly, all year round, from a clean bowl, and keep it away from stagnant water. If you're looking for a practical container for all your outings, take a look at our insulated dog water bottles: they match the harnesses and leads in our collections.