Nutrition Q & A: My Chihuahua Says No to Agua!

My two-month-old Chihuahua hates to drink water. What can I do?
—Venus

Water is is the most essential nutrient an animal can have, Venus. Because it accounts for between 60 to 70 percent of an adult dog’s body weight, you must make sure that your puppy drinks, and that he has access to good quality water at all times. A deficiency of water can have serious repercussions for pets. Inadequate water intake may affect an animal's physical activity and growth, and a 15 percent loss of hydration can result in death.

Food may help meet some of your puppy's water needs. A dry pet food may contain up to 10 percent moisture, while a canned pet food may contain up to 85 percent moisture. Most pets, however, will regulate their water intake appropriately if given free access to fresh water. So generally speaking, if you provide fresh water for your puppy, he should drink when he needs to. Since Chihuahua puppies are so small, he may not need as much water as you think. However, you should still take your puppy to the veterinarian to have his hydration and nutritional status evaluated.

Your veterinarian may also want to begin a vaccination and de-worming program. If this is the case, keep in mind that small dogs like Chihuahuas will sometimes feel ill for a few days after vaccination. It is important to notify your veterinarian right away if illness occurs.

You’ll also find helpful information on the ASPCA's puppy socialization and housetraining pages. Please feel free to contact us again if we can be of further help.