My MinPin needs to drink more water (vet, infections, food)

[Carbondated]

Hi all, my vet just called and said my MinPin needs to be drinking more water. I started giving her bottled water, which she likes much better than tap. According to the vet though, it's still not enough. So, I was wondering is there any flavoring or anything you could recommend that I can add to her water bowl that will make her drink it more?
All your suggestions are always appreciated.

[cleosmom]

You could try adding some chicken or beef bouillon, (low sodium of course) to the water. In winter my one dog doesn't drink enough so I float his food; add enough water to kibble to make it slightly float.

[Carbondated]

Thank you cleosmom I definately will give that a shot.

[cleosmom]

Originally Posted by Carbondated

Thank you cleosmom I definately will give that a shot.

You're welcome. Let us know how it goes, we don't want a dehydrated MinPin!

[Katie1]

My horses would not drink much so I added apple juice to thier water....

[Carbondated]

Thanks for the suggestion Katie, but I don't think apple juice would be very good for my dog. She has seizures and is on a medication that can do liver damage. We have to have her blood tested about every 6-9 months to see how well her liver is working.
I did try adding a little touch of chicken bullion to her water. She did try the water with some big gulps. She drank pretty well today, so I'm hoping that it will continue.

[maggiekate]

i would ask your vet if a low sodium can of broth, chicken, or beef would do the trick, or if you feed the dog dry add some into the food for the great smell. one last thought, when a person is sick they would give you the popcicle, maybe even do ice cube with the soup or if ok'd per the vet chicken broth. I just had a thought, check with the vet. boil some hamburg, and drain the grease, then get the rice in the package and boil this, keep the 2 in 2 diferent containers, warm in the microwave, and add water.

I was told when my dogs got sick it was low bland, and to feed them this, also, carrots cook, and steam, and save the water.
I never liked water either, but, tea etc., I got it. I do think dogs like the smell, any vegatable which they can eat, the water has
a plus. cranberry juice in ice cubes? even lots of what we eat has water. my thought it is the smell. you can eat the carrots, and add the water to the food. anyway carrots should also be good for dogs. or even the water as water to drink.

[Katie1]

I was NOT suggesting you give your dog apple juice...Just find some thing she really likes & add it to her water. All animals go thru stages where they do not seem to drink much. & some bottled waters have salt in them. Read the lables, too.

[riveree]

Did the vet say anything about adding electrolytes to the water (I'm not suggesting it, just wondering if it was considered)?

If electrolytes would be safe for your Min Pin, then she may not have to drink as much quantity of water, I would think.

Something else you could try - after checking with your vet - is "Apple Cider Vinegar with Mother". It's made by Bragg's and you can find it in the healthfood store. I use it in my birds' water because one of them is susceptible to bacterial infections and this helps (I just give it to both birds since it's beneficial for them). It's supposed to make the water taste good and you only use a tiny amount of it. A lot of people take Apple Cider Vinegar for health (make sure it's the kind with "Mother").