If, for example, he is very active and the weather is hot, then much more water is consumed and lost because water is needed for the cells as they burn up energy and for the removal of heat. The dog will normally drink enough water to meet his own requirements. We must be sure that it is available. An average sized, forty pound dog, in a moderate temperature environment with moderate exercise must take in a little more than a liter or quart of water every day. About half of this he will get from the food he eats, the water produced from metabolizing that food and the rest from drinking.
Most food contains water.
Commercial canned dog food contains over seventy-two per cent water whereas dry dog food is around twelve per cent. If we are feeding our dog dry dog food he will drink much more than if he is on canned food. Water is also formed by the chemical oxidation of foods. Water fulfills many needs for the dog. Water is an excellent solvent and is the main component of blood.