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This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of water restriction on lactation performance in Aardi goats. The experiment divided into 3 periods each of 6 days; control, water restriction and rehydration. Nine lactating Aardi goats in early lactation were divided into two groups. One group (n = 5) received 50% and the other group (n = 4) received 25% restriction of drinking water relative to their consumed water during control period. Both groups exhibited a fall in dry matter intake with almost a similar rate. Live weight loss during water restriction was similar in both groups (8 and 6% in 50 and 25% water restriction, respectively). Milk production was also reduced by 20 and 18% with 50 and 25% water restriction, respectively. Milk fat percentage was lower in goats that received 25% restriction while it was maintained unchanged in the 50% restriction group. Total solids of milk tended to decrease in goats with 25% water restriction without any change in milk osmolality. Whereas, milk osmolality increased without any alterations in total solids of milk with 50% water restriction. It could be concluded that lactating Aardi goats possess a high capacity of withstanding water restriction when it was coupled with higher environmental temperature. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.