8 Steps On How To Keep Your Dog Hydrated
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Just like humans, dogs need to drink enough water each day to stay healthy. Water helps your dog’s digestion and waste removal while also regulating body temperature.
Animals usually only consume water when they are genuinely thirsty, and a large portion of the water they consume actually comes from food.
However, your dog might not always get enough water in them. In fact, your dog might need more water and on warm days or while they are running and playing, they will need even more. Just like humans, when they’re running around they need more water and if they do not consume as much as they need, they can become dehydrated and ill.
But do not worry, because in this article we are going to show you exactly how to keep your dog hydrated.
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Why You Need To Make Sure Your Dog Is Hydrated
There are many benefits to making sure you dog is hydrated, but you will notice your dog will function better, have more energy, and recover from exercise more quickly by being well-hydrated. It enables vital organs to continue functioning, reinforces urinary tract health, supports digestion, and helps them maintain a healthy metabolism.
If you dog is not hydrated, there body wouldn’t function properly. This is because dogs just like humans’ blood contain a lot of water. Water aids in the entry and exit of other nutrients from cells. Through urination and bowel movements, it also aids in the removal of wastes from individual cells and the entire body. Without enough water, then these things will not be able to run smoothly and as intended.
How Much Water Should My Dog Have To Stay Hydrated
Now every dog will be different and that is because some dogs are more active than others. For example a Labrador Retriever that is running around for 5 hours will need much more water as opposed to a toy breed dog that is just hanging out all day.
In most cases, an average amount of water dogs should regularly consume is about 1 ounce of water for every pound they weigh. Accordingly, a 16-pound dog requires at least a 16-ounce bottle of water (normal water bottle size) each day. If you dog is about 64Lb’s, your dog will need at least 4 bottles of water.
Now these numbers are the minium, and you should encourgae and welcome your dog to drink more, if they are thirsty and or want more water.
How To Know If Your Dog Is Hydrated Enough?
To tell if your dog is becoming or is dehydrated, you can check your dogs skin and the elasticity of it. To do this simply pinch a small patch of skin on your dog’s back gently, then release or let go. Your dog may be dehydrated if the skin does not snap back into place right away.
You can check for dehydration in your dog by looking at his gums. If your dogs gums are pale they may be dehydrated or something else that requires a trip to the vet should be made.
If your dog is ill and has become dehydrated, you might notice pale gums. This is because there blood pressure is lower and there is less blood circulating throughout the body. If you feel your dog’s gums, they may also feel dry or extremely sticky.
Gums that are tacky, dry, or have an odd color may indicate dehydration. Put pressure on your dog’s gums if you think they may be dehydrated. In a well-hydrated dog, the color should to return right away. Your dogs gums should be smooth, pinkish-red, and moist.
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Easy Access To Water Bowls
An easy way to make sure your dog is getting enough water is to make sure they have easy access to it. Making sure your dog knows where his water bowl is the easiest way to do this.
Another pro tip here is add more water bowls around your house. Adding a few more areas for your dog to drink allows them easy access to there water.
For example, you can have one in there normal spot, one outside where they play, and one right next to there bed area where they sleep.
This allows your dog multiple opportunities to get a drink, without having to walk to the one area there water would be.
Refresh the Water Dish
Different dogs have different preferences. If your dog is picky, they might not want to drink from a bowl that has drool or old, stale water in it!
Refilling your dog’s water bowl frequently may occasionally encourage them to drink more.
Try regularly washing the bowl out as well when you refresh it. Additionally, it can encourage picky dogs to drink more.
Add Water to Your Dog’s Food
This is a really simply way to make sure your dog is getting more water in. All you have to do is simply add water to there food. Most dogs love food, and will scarf it down, so while they scarf down there food, they will also be getting a lot more water in.
You can add water to their dry and wet food, but when it comes to their canned or wet food, just remember there is a good amount of water in it already. While kibble only has about 10% moisture, wet dog food has a moisture content of between 70 and 90 percent.
Add Pedialyte To Your Dogs Water Or Food
Now this should not be done without the okay from your Vet, but adding Pedialyte to your dogs water or food is a great way to make sure they’re staying hydrated. You will want to look for the Unflavored flavor and will want to dilute it (simply add about 2oz of Pedialyte for every 4-6oz of water.)
By doing this, your dog will be getting electrolytes that are going to keep them hydrated.
Pedialyte is a great add on to dogs that do not drink enough or dogs who may be sick and are not drinking. Just a little a day will keep them hydrated and it will help them.
To add it to your dogs food, simply do it just like the above, and simple pour it on top of there food. This method is much more effective as dogs like to eat, and the unflavored Pedialyte does not have a smell. So your dog will go and eat his food, but will also be getting a lot of fluids in.
With wet food, I would put about 2-3 caps on top of the food (as wet food already has a lot of water in it.)
Make Ice Pops
Some dogs prefer licking ice cubes over drinking water. Try giving your dog plain ice cubs and you’ll notice many dogs like to crunch and chew ice cubs. This is a great way to help them get water in as when they eat the ice cube, they’ll be getting water in.
Blocks of water can be frozen to create iced treats, or you can mix in a smoothie, low-sodium broth, or other flavorings before freezing. Making perfectly sized ice treats is possible with a silicone ice tray.
Get A Bigger Dog Bowl
You can help your dog by encourage to drink more by getting a bigger water bowl. You’ll want your dogs water bowl to be bigger than your dogs food bowl. This way, your dog will always have water there for them when they need it, and it will encourage them to drink more water daily.
Take Your Dogs Water With You
When you take your dog outside, make sure to bring water with you. If you play in your yard frequently, add a water bowl out there for your dog to stop and get a drink frequently while playing.
If you take your dog for a walk or to the park, mkae sure there is an area for them to get water. If there isn’t, bring some with you. Fill up a water jug and bring a bowl and you’ll be all set.
When your dog is running around, especially in the heat, you want to make sure they are properly hydrated. When it is hot out, they will need more water. You can use a food bowl, a portable dog bowl, or a collapsible water bowl.
Just making sure there is a place for them to get water when they’re outside playing or on a walk will allow them to get water when they need it and more importantly, stay hydrated.
Make a Dog Smoothie
Make your dog a smoothie to keep your dog hydrated. Dogs can consume many of the same ingredients that are used in smoothies for humans.
You can prepare a small smoothie for your dog and add lots of ice or water to help him stay hydrated, provided you take care to avoid any potentially harmful foods.
You can use just a few ingredients to avoid upsetting your dog’s stomach. Try blending some blueberries or strawberries, bananas, ice, and plain unsweetened yogurt.
If your dog does not budge (does not want it) you can add peanut butter if you want it to be extra tasty for your dog.
Freeze the resulting concoction in ice cube trays or serve in a water bowl and watch your dog drink it all up. This hydrating treat is delicious for your pet and actually is really healthy as well!
You can even start making smoothies for them daily with other beneficial ingredients like carrots or spinach.
Warnings Signs Of Dehydration In Dogs
It can be challenging to determine how much water your dog has consumed at times and when it comes to learning how to keep your dog hydrated, you have to try to stay ahead of it.
That is why we recommend looking for some warning signs. If you notice any indications that they may be dehydrated, you may need to keep a close eye on them. Dogs who are dehydrated frequently exhibit the following symptoms:
- Vomiting & Diarrhea
- Dry and pale gums
- Won’t eat – Decreased appetite
- Lethargic – Lack of energy
- Excessive panting
If you believe your dog may be dehydrated, get them to the veterinarian. The vet can monitor your pup and administer fluids if necessary. If you want to learn how to help your dog who has one of these or another issue, click here.
Tips To Make Sure Your Dog Stays Hydrated
Make Hydration Easy for Your Dog
Like humans, your dog doesn’t take the time to consider how important it is to stay hydrated. If going to the water bowl requires them to get up or stop playing with a toy, they may decide not to drink any water at all.
To make this simple for your dog, keep water bowls in multiple locations. By positioning bowls in convenient locations, you help dogs understand that water is readily available and constructively reinforce their need for adequate hydration (since drinking it will help them feel their best.)
Make Hydration a Treat
In moderation, some juices are acceptable and can be added to your dog’s water to help keep them hydrated. Fruit juices can be frozen in ice trays as a fun and heat-relieving method of accomplishing this.
It’s not suggested that your dog’s diet contain too much sugar. Avoid grapes in any form, including juice as dogs can be poisoned by grapes.
If you’d prefer to completely avoid fruit juice and sugar, you might try drizzling a little low-sodium beef or chicken broth into the water bowl instead. This will keep you hydrated and content.
Summertime is a great time to learn and promote healthy habits for your pet, and keeping them hydrated doesn’t have to be difficult.
Conclusion
When it comes to learning how to keep your dog hydrated, you should try different things. We recommend you try all eight of these methods to see what works best for your dog.
No matter what, your dog just like us humans needs water and fluids. Without it, they run the risk of becoming very sick and even dying.
Making sure you’re on top of this is the best way to prevent dehydration from happening in the first place.
The more time you devote to this, the quicker your dog will start to get the hang of it, and the faster they’ll be able to amaze you with there skills.
As always, here at Jacktra we are devoted to helping dogs, cats and animals all around the world. You can change the world one search and tab at a time by using our website. Use Jacktra to help continue expanding our reach and helping us grow!
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