Thinking about adding a camel to your life—or already have one in your care? One of the most important things to understand their water requirements and how they stay hydrated. While they’re famous for going long stretches without drinking, camels absolutely do need proper hydration to stay healthy and happy.

Here’s what to know about their drinking habits, how much water they really need, and how to keep your camel healthy and well-hydrated year round.

Before diving into hydration needs, let’s clear up the biggest myth: camels don’t store water in their humps.

Those humps are actually made of fat—and they’re a built in energy reserve that helps them go long stretches without food. While breaking down that fat does create a small amount of metabolic water, it’s nowhere near enough to count as real hydration.

What camels do have is an incredible ability to handle dehydration better than almost any other mammal. They can lose up to 25% to 30% of their body weight in water—far more than most animals, which start to face serious issues around 15%—and then bounce back quickly once they have access to water again.

Knowing the difference makes all the difference when it comes to caring for a camel properly.

Under normal, mild conditions, a healthy adult camel typically drinks around 20 to 40 liters (about 5 to 10 gallons) of water per day. That said, their needs can shift quite a bit depending on their environment, diet, and activity level.

Factors That Increase Water Needs

• Hot weather: When temperatures climb above 95°F (35°C), water intake can jump dramatically—sometimes reaching 100 to 150 liters (26 to 40 gallons), especially after a period without water
• Physical activity: Working camels, as well as those that are pregnant or nursing, need noticeably more water to stay properly hydrated
• Dry feed: Diets heavy in hay or grain require more drinking water compared to moisture-rich grazing
• Lactation: Nursing females need extra hydration to support consistent milk production
• Low humidity: Dry, arid, desert-like air increases fluid loss through breathing, which raises overall water needs

Factors That Decrease Water Needs

• Cool temperatures: In mild or winter conditions, camels may drink surprisingly little and can go longer between drinks
• Fresh green forage: Grazing on pastures and green vegetation provides natural moisture, reducing the need for additional water
• Resting and low activity: Resting camels conserve water efficiently and don’t require as much intake

One of the most fascinating parts of owning a camel is seeing just how uniquely they’re built to handle water. Their bodies are full of clever adaptations that make their hydration habits unlike almost any other domesticated animal:

• Efficient kidneys: Camels conserve water at an impressive level. Their kidneys produce extremely concentrated urine—even more concentrated than seawater—which helps minimize fluid loss.

• Dry feces: Camels extract nearly every bit of moisture from their waste, leaving droppings so dry they can be used as fuel almost immediately.

• Variable body temperature: Instead of constantly sweating to stay at a fixed temperature, camels let their body heat rise during the day (up to about 104°F/40°C) and cool off at night. This reduces the need to sweat and helps conserve water.

• Oval red blood cells: Unlike virtually every other mammal, camels have oval-shaped red blood cells. This allows their blood to keep flowing smoothly even during severe dehydration—where typical round cells would clump and cause serious problems.

• Rapid rehydration: When water is finally available, a camel can drink 100+ liters in as little as 10 minutes without any adverse effects—a feat that would kill most other animals through water intoxication.

Caring for a camel day to day is surprisingly straightforward once you understand their needs—and water is at the center of it all. While they’re incredibly resilient, consistent access to clean water is still one of the most important parts of keeping them healthy and comfortable.

Provide Fresh Water Consistently

Even though camels can tolerate dehydration, that doesn’t mean they should. A camel in a managed, domestic setting should always have access to clean, fresh water every single day.

Water Trough Recommendations

• Choose large, durable troughs that can hold at least 50 to 100 liters, giving your camel plenty of access without constant refilling.
• Keep troughs clean—ideally rinsing and scrubbing at least twice a week to prevent algae buildup and bacteria.
• Placing troughs in shaded areas helps keep the water cooler and slows evaporation, which is especially helpful in warmer climates.

Monitoring Water Intake

t’s a good habit to keep an eye on how much your camel is drinking. Noticeable changes—either drinking far more or far less than usual—can be an early signal that something isn’t quite right.

Potential issues linked to changes in water intake can include urinary tract infections, digestive problems, metabolic conditions, or even dental pain that makes drinking uncomfortable.

A little attention here goes a long way in keeping your camel feeling its best.

Caring for a camel through changing seasons means adjusting your approach just a bit—especially when it comes to water. Their needs can shift more than you might expect between summer heat and cooler winter months.

Summer / Hot Weather

This is when water management really matters. During periods of intense heat, a camel’s water intake increases dramatically compared to cooler seasons. Make sure troughs are topped off and refreshed multiple times throughout the day so water stays clean and inviting.

Providing consistent shade is essential, and in especially hot climates, adding a misting system or cooling area can help reduce heat stress and keep your camel more comfortable.

Winter / Cold Weather

In cooler months, it’s completely normal for camels to drink much less—sometimes barely touching their water at all. Their bodies are incredibly efficient in lower temperatures, and their overall moisture needs drop.

That said, access still matters—make sure water doesn’t freeze and is always available. Offering slightly lukewarm water can encourage drinking and make it easier for them to stay hydrated without effort.

Camels may have a rugged reputation, but they’re surprisingly sensitive when it comes to water quality. If something smells or tastes even slightly off, they’ll often refuse to drink—an instinct shaped over thousands of years in harsh environments where questionable water could be dangerous.

Water does most of the heavy lifting, but in hotter conditions or after strenuous activity, a little extra support can go a long way.

Camels benefit from electrolyte supplementation to help restore what’s lost through heat and exertion. Many owners use commercial large animal electrolyte powders, either mixed into water or offered separately.

It’s also a good idea to provide access to a mineral salt lick formulated for camelids, which helps maintain proper fluid balance at a cellular level.

Before adding anything new, remember to check in with a large animal veterinarian who’s familiar with camel care to make sure you’re choosing the right approach for your setup.

Knowing when something isn’t quite right is an important part of camel care—especially when it comes to hydration. If you notice any of the following, it’s best to reach out to a veterinarian sooner rather than later:

• Refusing water for more than 48 hours without an obvious reason
• Signs of dehydration, such as sunken eyes or dry gums
• Noticeable, unexplained weight loss
• Bloating or a distended abdomen
• Blood in the urine or unusual urine color
• Neurological signs like staggering or pressing the head against objects

Trust your instincts—if your camel’s behavior or drinking habits seem off, it’s always worth getting a professional opinion.

Owning a pet camel is a one of a kind experience, but it also comes with the responsibility of caring for an animal whose biology is quite different from horses, cattle, or other common livestock.

Camels are remarkably resilient, but that resilience should never be mistaken for something that replaces proper hydration and attentive care.

The key is simple: offer steady access to clean, fresh water, stay mindful of how their needs shift with the seasons, and build a strong relationship with a veterinarian who has experience with camelid care. With the right management, camels can truly thrive—and in good captive conditions, they often live 40 to 50 years.