It can be hard to tell how much a dog drinks in a day since they can be messy drinkers, or you may not be around to see it happen. A dog needs about ½ to 1 ounce of water per pound of weight. So an 8-pound dog needs around one cup of water a day.
Puppies or super active dogs tend to become thirsty more, which is normal. That said, if you feel like your dog is drinking a lot more than is necessary, it could be a sign of a serious problem. Pay attention to any patterns of extreme thirst and act on it.
Use common sense.
A little common sense always goes a long way. Is it a hot day? Did they just have a long walk or excessive play? If your dog is drinking water in those situations, you may already have your answer.
However, it’s important to not downplay excessive thirst either. Super thirsty dogs may be trying to tell us something: they aren’t feeling well!