What Can Dogs Drink Besides Water? 8 Delicious Options
Updated on
Every day, you check your dog’s water bowl and fill it up as needed. That’s it: plain water, every day.
Meanwhile, you’re bringing home all sorts of exciting drinks: Frappuccinos, milkshakes, beer, a different kind of beer, even more beer …
If you’re worried that your pooch is getting bored by just having water all the time, then there are a few different drinks that you can offer them in order to spice things up. Below, we’ll cover nine of our favorites.
Remember, though, there’s no need to give your dog any of the options below, and plain water is still best. What can dogs drink besides water? Let’s find out!
The 8 Things Dogs Can Drink Besides Water
1. Bowser for dogs
If your dog needs to blow off some steam after a long day of chasing squirrels and barking at the mailman, pour them a tall, frosty mug of Bowser Beer. Like all good beer, these drinks use human-grade meat as their primary ingredient — either chicken, pork, or beef.
In addition to meat, you’ll also find malt barley and plenty of glucosamine inside, which should be good for your pup’s joints. There’s not any alcohol or hops inside, of course, so it should be safe for your mutt as well. If you really want to spoil them, you can pair the beer with a few sausage cigars — should be perfect for your next canine poker night.
2. K9 Power
Anyone who has an active dog that may not get the hydration they require should consider using K9 Power. This is a powdered energy drink that gives your dog all the protein, electrolytes, and carbs they need to perform at their best, kind of like a canine Gatorade.
All you have to do is mix a scoop or two with some water, then serve it to your pup (and with ingredients like chicken and agave nectar inside, they’ll likely lap it right down). This is a calorie-dense concoction, so it’s probably not a good idea to give it to a sedentary dog. However, if your dog is an extreme endurance athlete, K9 Power may take their performance to the next level.
3. Doggie Water
Another performance drink for high-octane mutts, Doggie Water comes in little pouches that are easy to take with you on hikes or to the dog park. It’s full of energy-boosting nutrients like vitamins B1, B6, and B12, ensuring that your dog will have plenty of fuel in the tank at all times.
The drinks come in three flavors — bacon, chicken, and steak — so your pup should always be excited about staying hydrated. Again, though, if your pup’s idea of a hard day is to binge-watch three different shows on Netflix, this drink will likely be overkill for them. It’s strictly for the fitness fanatics out there.
4. Viva Coco Coconut Water for Dogs
If you ever enjoy a little bit of coconut water, then you know how much of a refreshing break it can be from the monotony of regular water. So, why not share that refreshment with your pooch? These Viva Coco powdered coconut water packs are easy to mix up, and many dogs love the taste.
They’re not just good for variety, either. They’re loaded with electrolytes like calcium, sodium, and potassium, and also offer a boost of vitamin C. You can offer these drinks to your pup in moderation to entice them to drink more water.
5. Chardognay
Like the bottle you crack open every evening after work, this charming wine is designed to help your dog leave the stress of the day behind. Made from a combination of chicken broth, chamomile, and a proprietary blend of nutrients like glucosamine, it should relax your dog while hydrating them at the same time.
The manufacturers claim that it will help your dog sleep, acting as a mild, non-toxic sedative. Whether that’s true or not, one thing’s for certain: If you see your dog downing a bottle of Chardognay, do not let them drive.
6. TropiClean Oral Care Fresh Breath
TropiClean isn’t technically a different drink than water, but it will make your dog’s water bowl more enticing, as it adds a dash of green tea to their daily H2O. This helps combat bacteria in your pup’s mouth, improving their dental hygiene and cutting down on stinky doggy breath.
The bottle claims that this stuff is tasteless, but we fail to see how something could freshen a dog’s breath that much without them noticing. Regardless, dogs don’t seem to mind the taste, and their owners certainly don’t mind the effects.
7. Fruit Juices
To be clear, when we say, “fruit juices,” we’re not talking about the store-bought stuff that comes out of the carton in your fridge. Instead, we mean a little bit of the fresh juice that comes out of the fruit itself (just be sure the fruit itself isn’t toxic — grape juice is an obvious no-no).
If you’re so inclined, you can share a little juice from your orange or watermelon with your pup. To do this safely without adding too many unnecessary carbohydrates to your dog’s daily diet, just add a dash of juice to flavor your dog’s water bowl. Many dogs enjoy the sweetness, and in small doses, these juices shouldn’t wreak havoc on your dog’s stomach. Don’t go overboard, though, or else you’ll spend all day cleaning up the resulting mess.
8. Milk
This one depends on your dog, as some animals are lactose intolerant; these pups should obviously never be given any moo juice. Even the ones who can tolerate milk should only be given some in very small doses, as it can upset their stomach and is full of unnecessary calories.
If you insist on giving your pup milk, though, consider sources other than the trustworthy cow. Goat’s milk is every bit as nutritious and much less likely to cause any unwanted interactions. Again, we recommend that you only offer your dog a small amount of milk. You can give them a spoonful or two or add a small amount to flavor their drinking water.
What Should Dogs NEVER Drink?
The above drinks are all suitable for dogs to enjoy, but they should only be given to your pup in limited doses. Again, plain water is all dogs need and in many cases, all they want.
There are a few drinks that you should never share with your dog, however. The most prominent include:
- Alcohol of any kind — Alcohol is extremely toxic to dogs, even in small amounts. It can cause alcohol poisoning, which can kill them in a matter of hours. Never share any of your adult beverages with your dog, but you should also be on the lookout for booze in unexpected places, like rum cakes and other desserts.
- Caffeine — While you may not be able to make it through the day without some tea or a cup of joe, your dog will manage just fine. Caffeine is toxic for dogs, and its effects look like you’d expect from a stimulant overdose; high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, restlessness, and vomiting are just some of the symptoms. Caffeine can even kill dogs, so keep your espresso for yourself.
- Anything with toxic ingredients like chocolate — While your dog will no doubt beg for a bit of your milkshake, sharing it is a bad idea, especially if it has chocolate inside. Also, be aware that some sweet concoctions (especially diet varieties) contain xylitol, which is extremely toxic for dogs. If you don’t know every ingredient inside your drink, don’t take any chances by sharing it with your pet.
Dog Drinks: Bottoms Up
If you’re looking for a way to spice things up for your dog, the drink alternatives above will give them something to be excited about the next time that they develop a powerful thirst. When given sparingly, they represent a great way to keep your dog hydrated without boring them in the process.
As a general rule, though, your dog will be fine as long as you keep their water bowl full. They don’t get bored as easily as we do, which is a good thing — at least, until you’re on hour three of playing fetch in the backyard.
Featured Image Credit: wriemis, Shutterstock
