Concentrated Urine - Plus
Low Interest In Water
I have a 5 month old teacup Yorkie puppy. I got him from a reputable breeder and he has had all of his shots.
My concern is he doesn't really like water so he doesn't drink much. His urine seems to be really concentrated. I use puppy pads so i can see it.
Do you think there is anything wrong? Can I add anything to his water so he will drink it?
Answer From the Editors at Dog-Spoiling
The amount of water a dog needs depends on a few factors. Among them are: the level of activity/exercise he is getting, his environmental living conditions, the type of food being fed, if he is taking medications, plus how much he weighs. A healthy dog, will generally need about 1 ounce of water per pound of his body weight, per day, to avoid becoming dehydrated.
To begin with, I would suggest that you measure exactly how much he is drinking. If it is too low, you can try to encourage him to drink more by adding a small amount of flavor to his water, such as: a little low-salt broth, clam juice, or left over poaching liquid from cooking chicken or other meat.
You can also try giving him pure bottled spring water. Some tap water can have a taste that is unappealing to pets. You can also see if he might enjoy licking at ice cubes (made from bottled water) as many dogs seem to do.
In regard to the concentrated urine you are seeing, this may be the result of insufficient water intake. Medications can also affect the color and concentration of urine.
If your pet is eating soft foods, these contain more moisture and as a result he may be less thirsty.
If there is any sign of dehydration, this is a dangerous condition for pets. You can check your dog for dehydration with this test: Take a pinch of skin around your dog's neck and then release. If enough fluids are present, the skin should fall back to normal right away However, if your dog is dehydrated, the skin loses its elasticity and remains in a tented position, taking longer to return to normal. Consult your vet if you think your dog is dehydrated because it can be life threatening.
While we hope there is a simple solution to your concern, medical causes can't be ruled out. Insufficient water intake can be an indication of these diseases: Parvo, Leptospirosis, or Pancreatitis.
If you are still worried about your dog, we definitely recommend that you consult with your vet for evaluation.