The Dog Food Project
If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that certain dogs I have known will go to heaven, and very, very few persons. - James Thurber
A better food makes a big difference!

General
Main Page About the Author What Readers say Dog Discussions Forum
Commercial Dry Foods
Introduction Label Information 101 Identifying better products Ingredients to avoid Product List
Specific Product Groups
Organic Dog Food Grain Free Dog Food Vegetarian & Vegan Dog Food
Articles
Meat vs. Meat MealNew! Choosing the right food Feeding Puppies Feeding Senior Dogs Canine Obesity Is too much protein harmful? Grading kibble - easily? "Five Star Foods"
Other Diet Topics
Questions on Diet Myths about Feeding The Yuck Factor Where the money goes Natural Supplementation Menadione (Vitamin K3) Nutrient Requirements Links & Resources
Nutrition Primer
Nutrient Overview Water Protein Fat Carbohydrates Fiber Vitamins Minerals Essential Fatty Acids Probiotics

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Water

Water accounts for between 60 to 70% of the body weight of an adult dog. It is a very simple nutrient, but also very important.

It helps to regulate the body temperature, faciliates the movement of food through the digestive system, transports other nutrients and oxygen through the blood system to the cells, is needed in most chemical reactions of the metabolism, to remove toxins, to provide lubrication for the joints and lung tissues and the electrical polarity in the cells without which no living being can exist.

Insufficient intake of water can impair physical activity, reproduction, lactation, and growth. The loss of 15% of the body's water content can already result in death.

Make sure your dog always has access to plenty of fresh, clean water. If you restrict access to water, the only thing you are going to teach your dog is that it is not available at all times and he has to get his fill whenever it is available. This is not healthy and may lead to stomach upsets and bladder infections. The only times you should supervise water intake is after heavy exercise or when a dog is already overheated and/or dehydrated. In those situations, give small amounts of water frequently until things are back to normal.

In regards to water quality, consider if you would drink (unfiltered) tap water at your home or if you are relying on bottled water. Even just filtering tap water with an inexpensive filter will improve its quality and probably make it more palatable for your dog as well.