We all know how important it is to be hydrated and water to human health, but what about our pets? How essential is water for your pet’s health, and how can you be sure they’re getting enough to keep hydrated?
Pet Health and Water
Pets require water for the same physical purposes as it is by their humans, including:
- Nutrients and trash are transported into and out of cells.
- Assisting in digestion and nutrient assimilation
- Keeping your body temperature in check
- Joint lubrication and cushioning
- Improving cognitive performance
- Muscle function and agility are improved.
- Increasing one’s senses, particularly one’s sense of smell
- Urine and feces are used to eliminate body waste.
Because so many vital activities are dependent on adequate hydration, doctors at Virginia Beach veterinary hospital recommend that dogs must drink enough water throughout the day.
What Is the Minimum Water Requirement for Pets?
Various factors determine the quantity of water that various pets require daily. Varying animal species require different amounts of water. The total size of the animal also influences whether it requires more or less water — larger animals need more water than smaller animals. Animals that are very active and energetic and female animals who are breastfeeding to feed their young will require extra water. The amount of additional water an animal needs depends on its diet since animals that consume wet foods or plants with a significant water content may require less water.
Animals in dry or hot areas, on the other hand, require more water. The daily water requirements of an animal may fluctuate as it grows older.
On average, dogs need one-half to one ounce of water per kilogram of body weight per day. Cats require less water, with 5-10 ounces of potable water per day being plenty. Wet-food-eating cats and dogs will require less water daily than imagined.
Dehydration Symptoms
Dehydration can be subtle, and not all animals will exhibit the same signs of dehydration. The following are some of the most common symptoms of severe dehydration:
- Lack of energy and a general sense of drowsiness
- Appetite loss.
- Skin elasticity has deteriorated.
- Eyes that have sunk
- Nose and gums that are dry or sticky
- Saliva with a thick consistency
- Excessive panting is a condition in which a person pants excessively
When pets begin to exhibit signs of dehydration, it’s critical to get them to drink as soon as possible and consult veterinary hospital doctors. Slow but continuous rehydration is recommended, and the animal should be held calm and comfortable so it can recuperate. Heatstroke, shock, or physiological damage, particularly to the heart and kidneys, may occur if dehydration is not addressed. Dehydration can be lethal in extreme circumstances.
Maintaining Your Pet’s Hydration
There are a variety of inventive techniques to ensure that your pet receives adequate water. To keep your pet hydrated and healthy by providing sufficient water;
- Always have fresh, clean water on hand.
- Place many water dishes in various locations so that dogs have a choice.
- Consider a leaking faucet or a drinking fountain
- Add canned food or mildly moistened dry food to your pet’s diet.
- Please choose your favorite water bowl styles
- Train your pet to consume from a bottle to stay hydrated on the road.
- Wash water bowls daily to keep them fresh and clean.
- Provide ice pop snacks gently flavored with low sodium broth on hot days.