Dog Community

Posted : 12/8/2006 4:12:54 PM

I do have to say that I disagree with most everyone on here about limiting water. We HAD to limit Jacks water or he would have been floating away. He LOVES to drink. LOVES it. The vet declared him healthy, just an avid drinker. Therefore, we would let Sally drink what she wanted first, and then put out a set amount of water, and refill it at a set time. He seems to be doing better, but you have to remind him he's had enough water (after he's drank nearly the entire bowl), and then he's like "Oh yeah--I guess your right--that is enough" and moves on. Just my [sm=2cents.gif].

inne

Posted : 12/8/2006 4:22:50 PM

That's so exciting! Good for both of you!

UrbanBeagles

Posted : 12/9/2006 12:29:13 AM

I'm so confused by this. You say if the pH is too low, add meat or vitamin C to further acidify the urine. A low pH is acidic! If the pH is too low, the last thing you want to do is add vitamin C or anything that will further acidify it, that's what you'd do if the pH was too high (I believe 5.5-7 is the desired range for dog urine..7 is neutral, anything below is acid, anything above is alkaline). I'm assuming this was just a mistake, but I wanted to point that out and make sure.

Sorry, misspoke [sm=eek.gif] However, you DO want an acidic urine, NOT an alkaline to avoid urinary tract problems!!!

Heathr6913

Posted : 12/9/2006 1:40:01 AM

ORIGINAL: sillysally

I do have to say that I disagree with most everyone on here about limiting water. We HAD to limit Jacks water or he would have been floating away. He LOVES to drink. LOVES it. The vet declared him healthy, just an avid drinker. Therefore, we would let Sally drink what she wanted first, and then put out a set amount of water, and refill it at a set time. He seems to be doing better, but you have to remind him he's had enough water (after he's drank nearly the entire bowl), and then he's like "Oh yeah--I guess your right--that is enough" and moves on. Just my [sm=2cents.gif].

I have to agree with you. I also had an over drinker. I would say the majority of dogs do NOT need their water limited but there are a select few who do not know when to stop. I can give Dallas free range to water now and she will be a year old on Christmas. It has just been in the past 2 months that I can finally allow her how much water she wants because she is just now starting to realize she doesnt need to keep drinking non stop. Still, every once in a while she needs a reminder to quit.

astaracheetah

Posted : 12/9/2006 2:20:57 AM

When Shippo was a little puppy he had free access to water until 9PM.

paulaedwina

Posted : 12/9/2006 6:55:50 AM

ORIGINAL: Leroi

So as of yesterday he got more water, and today when I went home at lunch there were no accidents! I thought there might be since I had allowed him to drink when he wanted, but nothing!
Outside he peed for like a minute straight! I was cheering him on the whole time. []
Also, I crouch to see how much he's peeing and today the color of his urine was much clearer. Before the extra water it was much more yellow and opaque, so I was happy to see that, as well. Plus now that he was allowed to have some water during my lunch visit he only took 2 laps and wandered away. It's like he just wants to know it's there if he needs it!
I feel much better and it looks as though Leroi isn't holding any grudges!! []

I am very happy to hear that. Clearly since you're seeing different qualities to his urine your restrictions were indeed affecting his output. All's well that ends well!

Paula

Pam

Posted : 12/9/2006 8:52:50 AM

Our pup is now 8 months. She had free access to water all the time. She drank more on the kibble feed w/canned meat. When I cooked rice and meat and added water, she doesn't drink at all. She can only hold it 5 hours during the day contrary to the "9" they say. She can hold it all nite if she goes at 9/10 Pm. Now, she refuses to go at 9/10 and therefore has an accident on the carpet (she sleeps in our bed) . Sometimes I take the water up at 8Pm and give her ice chips when she see me drink an iced drink. Yes, it is exasperating, I can;t wait until shes a year.
I have resigned myself to buy new carpet when she is older and don't get upset at any accidents. Bulldogs are notoriously hard to train. My other bullie took 1 1/2 years.

chelsea_b

Posted : 12/9/2006 11:40:09 PM

Sorry, misspoke However, you DO want an acidic urine, NOT an alkaline to avoid urinary tract problems!!!

Right. A pH of 5.5-7 is the desired range (so says Cherokee's last urinalysis anyway). 7 is neutral, below 7 is acidic, above 7 is alkaline.

How much water do I allow puppy to drink?