Your dog cannot pour themselves a glass of water. They cannot open the fridge. They cannot order a nimbu paani. What they can do is depend entirely on you to make sure they stay hydrated through the most aggressive heat the Indian subcontinent offers every single year.

No pressure. Here are six things that actually work.

1. Multiple Water Bowls in Multiple Locations

One bowl is not enough for summer. Place bowls in different rooms, near your dog's favourite rest spots, and wherever they spend time during the day. The fewer steps between your dog and water, the more they will drink. Dogs are not particularly motivated to seek out hydration when they are already lethargic from heat.

2. Ice Cubes in the Bowl

This costs you almost nothing and makes a noticeable difference. Ice keeps the water cool for longer, which makes it more appealing. A lot of dogs will also fish the ice cubes out and play with them, which is both entertaining and functionally useful as a cooling activity.

3. Wet Food or Broth Added to Meals

Dry kibble has almost no moisture in it. Mixing even a small amount of wet food or plain, unsalted chicken broth into your dog's regular food adds meaningful hydration through eating. Your dog does not need to know they are consuming health. They just need to think they are getting a treat.

4. Hydrating Snacks

Cucumber slices, watermelon chunks without seeds, and plain ice cubes are summer snacks your dog can have freely. These are high in water content and low in calories. Offer them during the hot part of the day as a cooling snack. Most dogs take to watermelon particularly enthusiastically once they discover it exists.

5. Change the Water Frequently

Dogs refuse to drink stale water, and in summer heat, water in a bowl goes stale faster. Change the water at least twice a day, and rinse the bowl before refilling. A clean bowl with fresh water will be used significantly more than an old bowl with water that has been sitting in the sun.

6. Carry Water on Every Outing

A collapsible dog bowl and a water bottle take up almost no space and weigh nothing. Bring them on every walk, every car trip, every outing during summer. Offer water every 15 to 20 minutes during activity and immediately after. Your dog will drink if water is in front of them. They will not ask for it. You have to offer it.