I’ll be honest—I always thought keeping my dog Daisy healthy was simple. She got her walks, her kibble, her belly rubs. She was my shadow, my best friend, and I believed I was doing everything right. Until one hot afternoon when she collapsed in front of me, and I realized how little I really knew.
The Day Everything Changed
It was summer in Georgia, the kind of heat that makes the air feel like soup. Daisy was her usual energetic self, trotting beside me during our evening walk. We weren’t even going fast, but halfway through, she slowed down. Then, suddenly, she dropped to the ground, panting so hard it terrified me. Her tongue was deep red, her eyes looked glazed.
“Daisy!” I shouted, kneeling beside her. My heart pounded. I had no idea what to do. Was it heatstroke? Was she sick? I scooped her up and rushed home, where the AC was blasting, and put cool towels on her belly while frantically calling the vet.
At the clinic, the vet’s first question wasn’t about food or exercise. It was simple: “How much water does Daisy drink every day?”
I blinked. My mind went blank. I never actually measured it. I just filled her bowl when it was empty and assumed she’d drink what she needed.
What I Learned From the Vet
The vet explained something I’ll never forget: dogs don’t always drink enough water on their own, especially in hot weather or after activity. Some even need encouragement to hydrate. Daisy wasn’t sick—she was dehydrated. That lack of water, combined with the sweltering heat, almost pushed her into heatstroke.
He gave me a rule of thumb: about one ounce of water per pound of body weight, per day. Daisy is 50 pounds, so she needs roughly 50 ounces of water daily—more when it’s hot or she’s active. I wasn’t anywhere near that.
Changing Our Routine
I started tracking her water intake like I do my own. I bought a pet water fountain that kept fresh water moving (dogs love it). I also added water to her food and carried a collapsible water bowl on walks. Daisy went from gulping desperately after playtime to sipping regularly throughout the day.
The difference? Night and day. Her energy came back. No more scary collapses. And I realized how easy it is for us as owners to overlook something so basic.
Dogs don’t always know what’s best for them. It’s up to us to pay attention and step in.
Author’s Note: Even now, I keep an extra water bottle just for Daisy in my bag. I never want to relive that terrifying day.
Final Thought
We love our dogs so much, but sometimes love means paying attention to the little things we assume are “fine.” Water might seem simple, but for a dog, it can be the difference between a healthy run and a dangerous collapse.