Our dog doesn't like to drink out of his water dish- he will go out and eat snow or try to lick ice or eat ice cubes. His dish is clean, he will drink water out of a different dish, but if I change dishes, he won't drink out of the new one- any ideas? He is drinking, or he would be dead by now. I do think he needs to drink more though.
Thanks, Carolmartine

I saw a similar situation on the show called Emergency Vets about a Afghan hound show dog who would not drink out of her bowl and her owner thought she was sick or becoming dehydrated. The vet said she seemed fine- her coat looked good and her capillary refill time indicated she was hydrated. After isolation in her crate for 24hrs. with a measured amount in her water bowl, turns out she was drinking...She was just really picky.

Her owner had been trying to get her to drink anything and was pampering her. The vet told her to offer her water at all times in only her bowl and not to spoil her with other forms of hydration, which was only reinforcing her pickyness. She drank enough water just when no one was looking.

As a former veterinary technician, I wouldn't be worried as long as your dog is eating well and is urinating normally. If his urine is a light yellow color to clear, then he is hydrated. Take his skin on his neck-back and pull in 2in. off his body between your thumb and forefinger, hold for 5 seconds. A hydrated dog's skin will bounce back to laying flat on his body within 1 second. If your dog is dehydrated, the skin will stay folded and slowly creep back into place. Dehydrated dogs also will have a sunken look to their eyes with pockets above them.
Maybe he's picky too?!

What is the material of your water dish? I only use stainless. Some plastics can leach out. Also beware of some ceramics. If coming out of Mexico, they may be lead-based.

What additives are in your water? If you have a high chlorine content, maybe that's why he likes his water ala natural. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I have that same problem. He would rather drink the water from the fish pond, that's been there all winter, than to drink fresh water from his bowl. It's a little complicated. What will he do when the snow melts? also, I was told to stop water after 7pm during potty training. Of course he scoops up large amounts of water during potty breaks. His urine is too yellow I think. Should I ixnay the holding wter thing, and just wter the pup. The very yellow urine concerns me.

Thank you all. I think that on top of everything, Bart may have been a bit sick- he wouldn't touch his food for 3 days- but would have grabbed any food that fell on the floor if we let him (why does food fall on the floor you may inquire? Possibly 5 children at home who are constantly looking for something to eat may be part of that issue...). He would drink fresh water first thing in the morning, reluctantly and then lap it up, and after that it was snow. He wasn't as playful as usual. He seems much better now. I will look into the stainless steel bowl though.
Carolmartine