What can dogs drink besides water?

Dogs don’t always drink only water. As a veterinarian who sees pets in a wide range of settings, I regularly encounter owners wanting safe, practical options when plain water isn’t enough—on hot hikes, during travel, or when a dog is ill. The choices you make about what to offer affect immediate safety, comfort, and the success of any recovery or outing. Read on for clear guidance about reasonable alternatives, why dogs are drawn to other liquids, when substitutions can help, and when particular beverages are dangerous.

How offering drinks beyond water can affect your dog’s health

Hydration choices matter because fluids influence body temperature, kidney function, digestion, and recovery from illness. In everyday life, offering only water is usually fine, but certain situations often prompt owners to consider alternatives: long summer walks where a dog drinks little, multi-hour road trips, vomiting or diarrhea that alters electrolyte balance, or an elderly dog with a reduced thirst drive. Owners are typically trying to keep their dog comfortable, replace lost salts, or find an easy way to give medication. Hikers need lightweight, portable options; people caring for older dogs may want something more enticing than plain water; and those with picky drinkers want safe ways to encourage sipping. The key is matching the alternative to the reason you’re offering it, while avoiding drinks that create new risks.

A concise list of dog-safe beverages you can offer

A few safe options exist besides plain water, but most human drinks are unsuitable or risky. The most useful choices in practice are low-sodium broths, commercial canine electrolyte solutions, and occasionally small amounts of diluted coconut water. Unsalted bone or vegetable broth provides aroma and flavor that often stimulates drinking; it should be homemade or bought as unsalted and cooled. Commercial electrolyte solutions formulated for dogs are designed to rebalance salts without excess sugar and are a good option when a vet suspects mild dehydration. Unsweetened coconut water can be given in very limited amounts because it contains natural electrolytes, but its potassium level may be high for some pets and it should be diluted. Milk and most human beverages—soft drinks, fruit juice, coffee, tea, alcohol, and drinks containing xylitol—should generally be avoided because they cause stomach upset, toxic effects, or dangerous blood sugar shifts.

What attracts dogs to non-water drinks

Dogs’ attraction to non-water liquids is driven by scent and taste as much as thirst. Canine taste receptors are fewer and different from ours; they are often attracted to savory, meaty smells and foods with fat or amino-acid notes. A warm, fragrant broth can be more appealing than cool water because the aroma stimulates the nose and the tongue’s receptors. Thirst itself is regulated by osmoreceptors that sense blood concentration; dogs may seek drinks with salt when their body chemistry signals a need for sodium. Medical issues—fever, infection, kidney disease, or medications that alter mouth moisture—can change a dog’s preference or increase drinking. I typically see dogs recovering from gastrointestinal upset lap at broth because it combines hydration with comforting flavors, while dogs on some medications may want more fluids simply because their mouth feels dry.

When it’s normal — and when it isn’t — for dogs to seek other liquids

Certain triggers make dogs more likely to want something other than water. Heat and vigorous exercise increase sweat-like evaporative loss from paws and respiratory cooling, and dogs may drink more eagerly after exertion. Illnesses that cause vomiting, diarrhea, or fever create losses of both water and electrolytes, which can make a flavored or salted solution appealing. Medications or conditions that produce dry mouth—antihistamines, some pain medications, or endocrine disorders—can lead to increased sipping of anything available. Dogs with limited access to fresh water, or those encountering a novel, fragrant liquid (leftover soup, a spilled soda), may drink out of curiosity; this is why safe storage and supervision matter. When you notice a sudden change in what a dog prefers to drink, it may be helpful to check for signs of illness or medication side effects rather than assuming it’s merely fussy behavior.

Warning signs and common beverages that are toxic to dogs

Not all liquids are harmless. Alcohol and caffeinated beverages can be life-threatening; ethanol affects coordination and breathing, and caffeine can trigger rapid heart rate, tremors, and seizures. Sweeteners such as xylitol—which can appear in sugar-free drinks, chewing gums, or some flavored waters—cause rapid insulin release and severe low blood sugar and liver injury in dogs. Sugary sodas and energy drinks contain high sugar and caffeine and can upset the stomach and electrolyte balance. Clinical red flags after drinking something questionable include vomiting, trembling, unsteady gait, collapse, excessive salivation, rapid breathing, seizures, weakness, or extreme thirst and urination. The severity often depends on the volume consumed relative to the dog’s size and the specific toxic ingredient; a sip of some liquids may be benign for a large dog but dangerous for a small one. If you suspect a toxic drink has been consumed or if the dog shows worrying signs, contact your veterinarian or a pet poison-control resource immediately. In sudden, severe cases—difficulty breathing, seizures, or collapse—seek emergency veterinary care right away.

Practical steps owners can take to keep dogs hydrated and safe

When offering alternatives, always present water first. If the dog refuses plain water and you believe a flavored option might help—after exercise or minor stomach upset—offer a small amount of a safe alternative and observe. For broth: make or buy unsalted chicken, beef, or vegetable broth, cool it, skim off fat, and offer a few tablespoons depending on the dog’s size; repeat in small increments rather than a single large pour. For commercial canine electrolyte solutions, follow the manufacturer’s directions or your vet’s guidance. If using coconut water, dilute it half water/half coconut water and limit total extra volume to a small portion of the dog’s daily fluids—these drinks should be temporary, not routine. Avoid giving milk to adult dogs routinely because lactose intolerance can cause gas and diarrhea in many animals.

With sick dogs, withhold all but small sips until you consult your veterinarian; frequent, measured sips are safer than allowing gulping, which can trigger vomiting or aspiration. If your dog is on medication that requires a fluid carrier, use a dosing syringe or small spoon and confirm with your vet that the chosen liquid won’t interfere with the drug. Keep a simple log if you’re monitoring intake during illness—time, type, amount offered, and any symptoms—to share with your veterinarian. If you see persistent vomiting, continuous diarrhea, or signs of shock (pale gums, weak pulse, rapid breathing), bring the dog in immediately.

Shaping the environment and training habits to prevent risky drinking

Preventing access to unsafe drinks is as important as offering safe ones. Store beverages out of reach, use lids on cups, and keep trash secured so dogs can’t rummage for sweetened cans or discarded food liquids. Teach a reliable “leave it” cue for food and drink; this command is one of the most practical safety tools an owner can teach. Establish regular bowl routines so drinking habits are predictable—several fresh-water stations around the house can prevent competition and improve intake. During outings, supervise bowls and bottles, and refuse shared human drinks when others try to offer them. For curious or food-driven dogs, supervised outdoor time where you can monitor potential sources of spilled beverages is advisable.

Recommended bowls, dispensers, and other safe feeding tools

Quality gear makes safe hydration easier. A filtered pet water fountain can encourage regular drinking by keeping water cool and moving, which often appeals to dogs. For travel, choose portable, spill-proof bowls and bottles that allow controlled sips rather than open pans. Stainless steel or BPA-free bowls are easy to clean and don’t retain odors that might discourage drinking; shallow wide bowls suit flat-faced breeds and deep bowls can be better for long-muzzled dogs. When dosing small amounts of electrolyte solution or medication, a 3–10 ml oral syringe gives accuracy and reduces spillage; for larger volumes a measured cup or veterinary-prescribed syringe prevents accidental overdosing. If you anticipate needing fluids on a long hike, carry a small, unsalted broth in a tight container and a collapsible bowl to make drinking easy and familiar.

When to consult a veterinarian and trusted expert resources

When in doubt, reach out to professionals. Your own veterinarian knows the dog’s medical history and can advise on whether an electrolyte solution, modified diet, or a veterinary fluid therapy visit is needed. For suspected poisoning or ingestion of a toxic beverage, national poison hotlines and specialized services offer rapid advice; these organizations can indicate whether home observation is safe or immediate treatment is required. For ongoing nutrition or complex medical issues affecting hydration, a veterinary nutritionist or a board-certified specialist in internal medicine can provide tailored plans. If you are caring for dogs in extreme conditions—endurance events, very old dogs, or animals with kidney or heart disease—consultation before offering anything other than water reduces risk and improves outcomes.

References, studies, and further reading

• Merck Veterinary Manual: “Fluid Therapy in Small Animals” (Merck Vet Manual, fluid therapy chapter)
• Pet Poison Helpline: “Xylitol Toxicity in Dogs” and “Caffeine & Chocolate Toxicity” (Pet Poison Helpline clinical pages)
• ASPCA Animal Poison Control: “Alcohol Toxicity in Pets” and general toxicology resources (ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center pages)
• Nelson, R. W., & Couto, C. G., Small Animal Internal Medicine, 6th ed.: sections on fluid and electrolyte disorders
• Plumb’s Veterinary Drug Handbook: guidance on oral electrolyte preparations and dosing considerations