Hydration

Summer is upon us, and everyone’s loving it — including your pup! But just like us humans, rising temperatures and excessive humidity can mean your dog is prone to becoming dehydrated. Dehydration is very dangerous for both humans and animals. In dogs, some of the warning signs of dehydration include:

• Lethargy and lack of energy
• Panting
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting or diarrhea

These symptoms occur in us humans as well, but it’s very important to pay close attention to your dog during times of extreme heat, illness, or lots of physical activity. All of these circumstances involve excess moisture leaving the body without being replenished, which, in extreme cases, can lead to organ failure and even death. Especially on long days in the summer sun, hydration is vital to keep you and everyone in your family safe, including your pets. So, what are some ways to do that?

WATER BOWLS

The first solution may seem obvious but keeping a large bowl of fresh water is a simple way to encourage your dog to drink more. Not only is it easy to do since it’s something you already do on a daily basis, but it’s the best way to offer your dog unfettered access to water on hot days. Remember to clean your dog’s bowl frequently to ensure they drink fresh water. Stale warm water runs the risk of developing harmful bacteria.

WATER ON THE GO

Taking your dog along with you to the beach, park, or other locations this summer? Make sure to remember to bring some water with you. Invest in a portable and collapsible water bowl to take with you so that your dog can always have access to fresh water. You can also make sure to park yourself in a shady spot to keep you and your dog out of the hot summer sun.

WET FOOD

A third simple solution to keeping your dog from getting dehydrated is tweaking a few things with their food. If you don’t already do so, add wet food as part of their daily diet during the summer or when your dog is getting over an illness and more prone to dehydration. If you don’t want to do that, just add some water to the dry food bowl, or supplement with some chicken or beef broth. Broth is a great choice because it tastes good and adds extra vitamins in addition to providing a good source of fluids for your pup.

GROOMING NEEDS? CALL US!

Want an excuse to get out of the hot sun and take care of your dog this summer? Call to book your pup’s next grooming session or treat them with any of our specialty add-on services. See you soon!