Water as an Essential Nutrient in Canine Nutrition

Though canine nutrition is complex, water is essential to the canine diet. Water is probably the last thing most people think of when they ponder pet nutrition. However, water is the most essential nutrient for survival for a dog. Without water, death can occur in as little as a few days.

The Role of Water in Canine Nutrition

Water is essential for almost every physiological function that occurs within the canine body.

Water provides a means of transporting nutrients to the cells that require those nutrients and provides a means of moving waste products out of cells.
Water is necessary for the completion of many chemical reactions that occur within the body of a dog.
Water aids in the dissipation of heat and helps regulate the body temperature of the dog.
Gas exchange within the lungs requires water to take place.
The joints, body organs and nervous system of the canine body are lubricated and cushioned by water.
Water is present in the cells, body tissues and body fluids of all dogs and is responsible in part for maintaining the shape and flexibility of the canine body.

Sources of Water as a Nutrient

Water is used in a variety of functions in the canine body and water losses will occur during the course of the fulfillment of these functions. These losses must be replenished with fresh water supplies.

Dogs have several sources of water available to them.

Drinking water is, of course, the most abundant and easily supplied source of water.
Foods often contain a varying degree of water as well and can contribute to the overall consumption of water.
Metabolic processes that take place within the body of the normal dog also provide a small portion of the quantity of water needed to adequately support the canine body.

The amount of water present in the food will vary depending on the type of food. Canned food generally contains a larger volume of water than a comparable meal consisting of dry food. Pets that consume larger volumes of water through their food will require a corresponding lower volume of drinking water.

Factors that Affect Water Consumption

Numerous factors will affect how much drinking water is necessary for an individual dog on a daily basis.

Environment, including the temperature and humidity, plays a role in determining the drinking water requirement of dogs.
Physical activity will increase the water requirement. Working dogs, such as those that are participating in hunting or racing activities, will require more drinking water than pets that are not undergoing physical labor.
Female animals that are lactating will have increased water requirements.
Stress, illness and fever may also impact the water requirements of an individual dog.

The Result of Inadequate Water Consumption

Water, as a nutrient, is necessary to sustain life in the canine. Dogs that do not consume adequate amounts of water will become dehydrated. A 10 percent deficit in the body's supply of water will cause severe dehydration and possibly death.

Inadequate water consumption may occur as a result of illness or other stresses that cause the dog to decrease its water (or food) consumption. It may also occur due to lack of availability of water.

Water is an essential nutrient in canine nutrition. Dogs that do not consume enough water are not able to survive. Life cannot be sustained for longer than a few days without the consumption of water. Though a deficiency in other nutrients, such as protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals, can cause serious problems for a dog, lack of water creates a life-threatening situation much more quickly than a deficiency of any other nutrient in the canine diet.

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Water as an Essential Nutrient in Canine Nutrition

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