Your pet’s body is made up of 80% water, so staying hydrated is a must, especially in the summer! July is ‘Pet Hydration Awareness Month’ so let’s get the facts about slurping up this summer!
Keeping your pet hydrated can help them with:
ENERGY LEVELS. Water helps your pet’s digestive system and works to break down food and turn it into energy.
URINARY TRACT HEALTH. The risk of urinary tract infections or stones/crystals is greatly reduced when a pet is hydrated.
REGULATING BODY TEMPERATURE. A dog’s main way to regulate body temperature is to pant, releasing moisture with every huff. They need water to maintain normal body temperature.
OVERALL HEALTH. Drinking adequate water helps pets heal faster and recover from illness. Water helps kidneys flush toxins from the body.
Knowing the signs of dehydration is important. Some of the common signs of dehydration are:
- Vomiting/diarrhea
- Lack of energy
- Loss of skin elasticity
- Pale gums
- Dry mouth
- Excessive panting
- Sunken eyes
- Dry nose
How do you keep your pet hydrated?
Keep fresh water available where your pet can easily reach it. If you have a picky drinker, have water bowls in numerous places around the house.
Bring water with you, especially on hot days. Dogs lose water when they sweat through their paws, so any outing you take during the summer should be accompanied with a cool drink for your pooch!
Add water to your pet’s food. Give them an extra dose of H20 and ensure they are drinking enough by mixing a glug of water with their food.
Provide a place to cool off. Take a break in the shade, find some AC, or just keep the walks short on hot days!
Dogs need roughly one ounce of water for every pound they weigh. Keep an eye on your pet’s drinking levels and make sure they are getting enough!
