How to Avoid Pet Dehydration

Summer is finally here and I’m sure you are ready for making lots of great summer memories! One of the most important things you can do for your pet (and yourself) during the summer months is to make sure your pet is properly hydrated. Water plays an important role in the overall body function and affects many body processes including blood circulation, nutrient and waste transportation, joint health, and brain cognition.

If you are wondering how much water is enough for your pet, be sure that they are getting at least 1 ounce per pound he weighs. In order to monitor their water intake, you can measure on the bowl how high you fill the water and the amount of water it is. Each time you re-fill, calculate how much water they consumed.

Some other tips to ensure that your pet is staying hydrated:

• Whenever you are playing outdoors, bring cool water with you. You can even add ice to the bowl to make it more refreshing on a hot day.
• Refill the water frequently to ensure there is an adequate amount of water always available.
• Provide wet food once a day or add water to their dry food if you don’t think they are consuming enough water.
• Providing vet-approved fresh fruits, veggies, and meat can also be a way to increase their water intake.

Symptoms of dehydration in pets:

• Lethargy
• Panting
• Dry nose and mouth
• Sticky saliva
• Loss of elasticity to the skin
• Sunken eyes
• Difficulty walking

If you think your pet is dehydrated, get them into a cool spot and try to get them to drink water. If your pet won’t drink water, you could give them wet food or vet-approved fresh fruits and veggies that will get them to intake water. If you suspect your pet is severely dehydrated, you should get them to the veterinarian immediately.