Husky water consumption?

[borzoimom]

I don't know how much water my Sierra (76 lb GSD) drinks.. but I do know that my Buddy (93 lb GSD) drinks at LEAST 3 times a much as she does! Sierra does the same thing your talking about... little sips here and there.
I've never worried about it, I figured it was just her thing!

I agree- compared to shepherds, these guys drink very little. As long as urinary habits are normal and no constipation, I would not worry about it..

[cyber-sibes]

In general, huskies have very efficient metabolisms, and don't require as much food as other breeds. If you want to get her to drink more, you can make "baited water" - just mix some food, maybe some fish, into warm water to make a watery gruel. Mushers do this for sled dogs who often don't drink enough to stay hydrated during runs. I recall Glacier posting about this, too.

They all seem to have their own method. Sherman drinks after every meal and slurps it up. Star sips off & on but usually drinks a good long drink at the dogpark. I think she likes the cold spring water there.

[Glacier]

In general, huskies have very efficient metabolisms, and don't require as much food as other breeds. If you want to get her to drink more, you can make "baited water" - just mix some food, maybe some fish, into warm water to make a watery gruel. Mushers do this for sled dogs who often don't drink enough to stay hydrated during runs. I recall Glacier posting about this, too.

This is what I do during the winter. Water outside freezes too fast for them to get enough to stay hydrated. A dehydrated dog can't safely work!

I vary what I put in as the bait. Currently I'm using cheap dry cat food. They love that! I also use meat, ground chicken, dry dog food...whatever I have around that is tasty to them. About four cups of dry food in five gallons water, twice a day and immediately after a run.

I don't think water consumption is breed specific. I have nothing but huskies basically and they all have different water drinking patterns. Anvik would drink gallons a day, Raven drinks next to nothing.

As long as your dog isn't dehydrated, I wouldn't worry. To check for dehydration, you can pinch a small bit of skin on his back. When you let go, it should immediately fall back into place. Or push on his gums, the resulting white spot should turn back to a healthy pink very quickly. If it stays white, the dog is dehydrated.

[lizbud]

Glacier, is that 4 cups & 5 gals per dog ? My Maggie would be in heaven. Never saw a dog who LOVES to eat like she does.

[Glacier]

Glacier, is that 4 cups & 5 gals per dog ? My Maggie would be in heaven. Never saw a dog who LOVES to eat like she does.

LOL, nope, not per dog, although Anvik would love that! I take a five gallon pail around to 8-9 dogs twice a day. The others have constant access to water. The two pens in the back yard have a modified horse trough for their water. It has a floating heater in it so the water never freezes. The dogs in the main yard just get plain water(unless I think someone isn't drinking enough). I change the bowl frequently so they have unfrozen stuff available.

I only do baited water in the fall and winter. The rest of the year, every dog has access to a recycled bath tub, full of water. I just change the water frequently.