The biggest scare I ever had was when Luna became dehydrated and I had to take her to the vet. I was a new and inexperienced pet parent and I had no idea what was happening. I just knew something wasn’t right with her. I assumed that dogs would just naturally drink enough water if I provided it, but quickly learned that isn’t always the case.
After our emergency vet visit, I adjusted our lives a bit to ensure that Luna would stay hydrated and healthy. I definitely didn’t want her to have emergency fluids administered ever again. July is Pet Hydration Month, so we’re collaborating with PetSafe® Brand to share tips on keeping yougiveawr pet hydrated.
About Pet Hydration and Dehydration
Did you know 80% of your pet’s body is made out of water? Humans are only about 60% water.
A general rule of thumb is that your pet needs one ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. So if your dog weighs 20 lbs, they needs 20 oz of water! Bigger dog? Then they need more water!
Water needs will also change based on your dog’s activity level and health conditions. Dehydration happens when a pet’s fluid levels drop below normal by reduced intake or increased fluid loss. If your dog is more active, they may need more water!
Signs of Pet Dehydration
If you think your dog or cat is dehydrated, you should contact your vet immediately! They will be able to administer fluids and better evaluate the symptoms your pet may be experiencing.
Signs of dehydration include:
- Sunken Eyes
- Lethargy
- Loss of Appetite
- Dry Mouth
- Sticky Gums
- Depression
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Excessive Panting
- Loss of Skin Elasticity
Learn more about how to check your pet’s hydration status in this video from PetSafe Brand.
5 Ways to Keep Your Pet Hydrated
Always have clean, fresh water available.
Remember to change your dog’s water out and wash their bowls regularly to avoid bacteria from forming. It can lead to health problems and also discourage your dog from drinking water if it isn’t clean and fresh!
PetSafe® Brand’s Drinkwell® Fountains are great ways to help keep your dog’s water enticing. In each fountain, the water is circulated through a filtration system to keep it fresh and clean longer. It’s a great option for pet parents who don’t (or can’t remember) to change the water every day.
We’re currently trying out the PetSafe® Drinkwell® Sedona Pet Fountain.
Bring water for your pet when traveling or spending time outside.
Anytime go on a pet friendly road trip or plan to spend more than a few minutes outside, we bring along water for everyone. We have a dedicated dog water bottle, pop up travel bowls, and our favorite Yummy Travel Bowl. Having water with you is the first step! It’s a lot easier to become dehydrated if you don’t have water available to drink.
Add water to your dog’s meals.
This was one of the most successful changes we made. When on a kibble diet, we add a bit of water or bone broth to increase Luna’s water intake. We also more frequently use a dehydrated diet, which is rehydrated with water, or include wet food. Both of these options add more moisture and help encourage good hydration.
Entice them with a frozen treat.
It could be as simple as ice cubes or you could whip up a tasty pupsicle recipe. Try these Strawberry Banana Pupsicles or Honey Blueberry Pupsicle recipes.
Limit outdoor activity during extreme heat.
Try to utilize the coolest parts of the day for play and exercise. Generally avoid outdoor activities from Noon to 3 PM on super hot summer days and increase water intake and availability.
For more ideas on how to beat the summer heat, check here.
One final thing…
DO NOT chain your dog outside on a hot day (or really ever) with just a water bowl. They are likely to knock it over and then be without water all day!
How do you keep your pets hydrated?
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Disclaimer: I received a free PetSafe® Drinkwell® Sedona Pet Fountain for review. I received no other compensation or additional benefits for mentioning the brands or products in this post. The opinions and ideas in this post are my own and are uninfluenced by any other person or business.
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