A vet-approved hack costing as little as 15p per serving can encourage dogs to drink more water during the UK's third heatwave of the year, according to Dr Scott Miller, a practising vet who appeared on ITV's This Morning on July 9.
Simple Ingredient Adds Appeal to Water
The method involves adding a teaspoon of liquid from tinned fish—such as sardines, tuna, or mackerel—to a dog's water bowl. Canine nutritionist Gaia Musotti recommends draining the liquid from fish preserved in spring water and diluting it with fresh water. This adds a new smell and taste that can tempt even reluctant pets to drink.
Dr Miller shared his own variation: frozen chicken stock cubes. He said, "It's a great way to encourage your dog to then just drink that little bit more because [dogs] cool by evaporative cooling, by panting, so you need them to drink more because they're losing so much moisture at the moment." He added, "I'm seeing a lot of dehydrated pets coming into the practice, particularly older animals, who are really struggling in this heat - hydration is key."
Cost-Effective and Safe Options
The hack is inexpensive. Tinned fish in spring water is available at Sainsbury's (60p), Aldi (65p), or M&S (£1.30). For the chicken stock method, Pets at Home sells Applaws Chicken Bone Broth Dog Food Topper at £2.09 per pouch, which makes about 14 ice cubes—roughly 15p per cube.
Dr Miller uses his own dog, Mango, as an example: "I make little ice cubes, and as soon as those little ice blocks are in there, which are basically chicken stock, it gets him to drink."
Safety Precautions for Chicken Stock
Chicken stock is safe for dogs only if it is pet-safe and free from onions, garlic, and added salt. Commercial dog-safe broths or plain, unseasoned homemade versions are suitable. To prevent choking, crush the ice into a slushy consistency or freeze pea-sized drops on a silicone baking mat that melt almost instantly in water.
With the UK experiencing record-breaking June temperatures and a third heatwave, keeping pets hydrated is critical. Dr Miller emphasised, "Hydration is key" for dogs cooling through panting, which causes significant moisture loss.
