Help! My dog hasn't drank on her own for 2 weeks. I trick her into drinking a little when I pour a little milk on it but now this isn't working. We have her on wet food to get a little moisture but I'm worried. The vet did all kinds of blood work and everything is normal. She has an allergy to chicken and beef so she is on a special diet. Appetite great, disposition great but will not drink water. Hates gaterade. Any ideas?

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Originally Posted by carib168

Help! my dog hasnt drank on her own for 2 weeks. i trick her into drinking a little when i pour a little milk on it but now this isnt working. we have her on wet food to get a little moisture but im worried. the vet did all kinds of blood work and everything is normal. she has an allergy to chicken and beef so she is on a special diet. appetite great, disposition great but will not drink water. hates gaterade. any ideas?

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You need to get her back to the vet. She can die.
We can live without food for days... but, water we cannot and will die.

Keep working with the vet. Have you tried ice cubes? Are you sure she isn't finding water somewhere? Do you keep the toilet lid down?

labman, I too wondered if maybe she was getting water from another source other than her water bowl. Carib, it leaves me scratching my head if she appears fine in every other way but won't drink her water. You do need to check the toilet bowls and make sure the lid is down at all times. If you keep her outside at all, are there any other sources for water out there? If none of this applies, please don't put milk in her water. Since she has an allergy to chicken and beef, I am hesitant to suggest broth. You could try vegetable broth, not sure if that would coax her. Is she up to date on her rabies shot? If so, speak with your vet about children's pedialyte -- see if he/she would object to your giving that to your dog. At any rate, I think this is one of those things that you need to get back with your vet on. They don't charge for follow up phone calls.

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Originally Posted by RubyPitbull

labman, I too wondered if maybe she was getting water from another source other than her water bowl. carib, it leaves me scratching my head if she appears fine in every other way but won't drink her water. You do need to check the toilet bowls and make sure the lid is down at all times. If you keep her outside at all, are there any other sources for water out there? If none of this applies, please don't put milk in her water. Since she has an allergy to chicken and beef, I am hesitant to suggest broth. You could try vegetable broth, not sure if that would coax her. Is she up to date on her rabies shot? If so, speak with your vet about children's pedialyte -- see if he/she would object to your giving that to your dog. At any rate, I think this is one of those things that you need to get back with your vet on. They don't charge for follow up phone calls.

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Thanks for the veg broth idea. We switched her to dry food and ran her around the pond until she was tired and she came back in and actually drank for the first time. She is a yorkie and we have been on the phone every day with the vet. We're hoping the dry food is the answer.

Dry food is better for her dental health. The exercise also works up a thirst. I think if you stay on that track, running her around and feeding her the dry kibble, she should be fine. AND, watch her around the pond. Don't let her drink that water. Aside from not knowing if there is anything in that water that can cause intestinal distress, it will make it easier for you to monitor her water intake if she only drinks from her water dish. :)