How much water is needed for a 7 wk GSD pup?

[ashtynleigh]

Our 7 wk old pup has soft stool, so our breeder told us to limit water intake. Now she has been lying on her stomach and whining. I gave her a little more water and it seemed to make her feel better. I want to be sure she is getting the right amount of water for her age and size. She weighs about 6 pounds.

[Verivus]

You shouldn't be limiting water intake on a puppy. Has she been dewormed?

[Kaleb f]

My puppy drank a lot of water at that age and had soft poo I wormed her and everything was fine in a week or so. It may be the change of diet. Are you feeding the same as your breeder did?


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[LauraJav]

I limited Max water to 1 cup at a time.. Or he'd drink all at once.

[TsPlace]

There should be water for a puppy at all times. I can say that I don't fill up the water dish all the way, my little girl thinks it's a bathtub then, but I fill it about a 1/3 (it's a big bowl) and when it's empty I refill right away. There's always water (of course, there is always a trail of water from bowl to dog, too).

[MissMetric]

This is the most common thing I've found on the internet about water. With Talos, he'd drink and drink and drink until he exploded if I let him, so I had to learn to regulate how much I give him at a time.

"On the average, a healthy dog drinks about 1/2 to 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight per day."

"Puppies need about a 1/2 cup every two hours and need to be closely monitored."

I also found that potty training is much easier when you don't just fill up the bowl (which I used to, and he'd splash in it or drink it all down at once) and when you're mindful of how much they're getting. When I started putting less in his water bowl, he started drinking less. He also LOVES ice cubes, haha.

[TsPlace]

ice cubes are a big hit in our house - it's like having an ice rink in the kitchen!

[Jag]

I'd seriously question anything a breeder who sells pups at 7 weeks says. All puppies and dogs should always have fresh water available to them. It's our job to house break them, but never at the expense of the pup's health or well being. They can't tell us when they're thirsty. I've house broken numerous pups and NEVER limited or withheld water, so it can be done. Some are quick, some take a little longer. If your pup is having watery stools, I can assure you it has NOTHING to do with how much water it's drinking. Medically, I can tell you that the bowels will retain or reabsorb water regardless of intake. Especially when a pup is having diarrhea, you need to make sure that the pup is well hydrated! Your breeder need their head examined. Take the pup to the vet. ASAP.

[volcano]

7 weeks isnt a major issue, its not uncommon in working lines. I got my girl at 7 weeks but the issue is water, and the fact that she was 6 lbs??? My girl was plump but weighed 12 lbs at 7 weeks. It almost sounds like a puppymill selling 5 week olds as 7 week olds?

[Jag]

Or sick pups... either way, a 7 week old pup at 6lbs shouldn't have been sold.