How much should my pet drink?
The daily water need of your dog or cat in ml, with the water from food subtracted. Including a warning value for when to see the vet.
Your result
Water per day0 mlDetails ↓How the calculator works
Dogs and cats need roughly the same amount of water per kg of body weight. Part of it comes from food, the rest from the bowl.
Example: a 4 kg cat eating 200 g of wet food (78 % moisture) needs about 208 ml. 156 ml come from food, so about 52 ml from the bowl.
📚 Sources: MSD Veterinary Manual ↗, Cornell Feline Health Center ↗, Schmid 2023 ↗
Total need
Dog: 55 ml per kg (middle of the 44 to 66 ml range). Cat: 52 ml per kg lean weight.
Water from food
Food amount × moisture. Defaults: dry food 10 %, wet food 78 %.
From the bowl
Total need minus water from food. Fresh water must always be available anyway.
Getting your pet to drink more
- ⛲Moving waterMany cats prefer a fountain to a still bowl.
- 📍Several spotsPlace water away from the food bowl and the litter box.
- 🥫Wet foodWet food adds a lot of water without any extra effort.
Now you know the numbers. We know the discounts.
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Frequently asked questions
How much water does a dog need per day?
As a guide, about 44 to 66 ml per kg of body weight, counting water from food. A 10 kg dog therefore needs roughly 440 to 660 ml a day.
How much water does a cat need per day?
Cornell Feline Health Center gives about 4 ounces per 5 pounds of lean weight, which is roughly 52 ml per kg. A 4 kg cat needs about 210 ml, partly from food.
Why do cats on wet food drink so little?
Wet food is mostly water, often around 75 to 80 %. A cat eating 200 g of wet food already takes in about 155 ml through its food.
When is drinking too much?
Vets consider more than 100 ml per kg per day clearly increased. Measure for 24 hours and contact your vet if the value is regularly above this.
How do I measure what my pet drinks?
Fill the bowl with a measured amount, measure what is left after 24 hours and add any refills. Repeat on a few days, as the amount varies.
Sources and method
- 📚MSD Veterinary Manual: Nutritional Requirements of Small Animals (water need 44 to 66 ml per kg, moisture of dry and wet food) Open source ↗
- 📚Cornell Feline Health Center: Hydration (cats about 4 ounces per 5 pounds of lean weight) Open source ↗
- 📚Schmid, S. M. (2023): A Stepwise Diagnostic Approach to Polyuria and Polydipsia. Today's Veterinary Practice (over 100 ml per kg per day) Open source ↗
