A healthy dog drinks roughly 50–60 ml per kg of body weight per day; cats around 45–55 ml/kg (a lot of which can come from wet food). This is a guideline, not a rule — activity, heat, diet and health change it. A sudden, lasting increase or drop in thirst can signal a health issue, so mention big changes to your vet.
How much water does my pet need?
This estimates roughly how much water your dog or cat should drink in a day to stay properly hydrated.
What the numbers mean
- ml/day — the total daily water target for your pet's size.
- The rule behind it — vets estimate about 50–60 ml of water per kg of body weight for dogs, and 45–55 ml/kg for cats. The tool does that math for you.
- Food counts too — wet food is mostly water, so pets on wet diets drink less from the bowl. That's normal, not a problem.
How to use it
Keep fresh water available at all times — the number is a target, not a limit. What matters most is a steady habit; watch for drinking a lot more or a lot less than usual.
Common questions
My dog drinks less than the number — is that bad?
On wet food or in cool weather it's often fine. Watch for lethargy or signs of dehydration.
How do I check for dehydration?
Gently lift the skin between the shoulders (it should snap back) and check that gums are moist. Skin that tents, or dry tacky gums, mean call a vet.
My cat barely drinks — is that normal?
Cats evolved to get water from prey, so wet food helps. Very low intake on dry food is worth watching.