Dog owners across Barnsley, South Yorkshire, and beyond frequently wonder how to encourage their dogs to drink more water, especially when digestive problems are present or warmer months creep up. For some, the allure of a muddy puddle far exceeds that of a lovely clean water bowl! Don’t ask us, we don’t know why!
It’s not exactly easy to tell your furry friend to drink up, and some of them don’t enjoy the taste, making it difficult to promote hydration in your pets. Read on to learn about the importance of hydration for your dog, intake guidelines, and practical tips to encourage hydration by the team at sure4pets.
Impact of hydration on health
In dogs, hydration benefits their core physiological functions, including:
Regulating body temperature: Dogs rely on water to help manage their internal body temperature. They do not sweat like us humans, relying on panting to cool down, which causes significant water loss.
Joint and tissue lubrication: Water keeps joints, muscles, and tissue hydrated, helping maintain mobility and reduce stiffness.
Cognitive function: Sufficient water intake maintains brain health, leading to strengthened cognitive function.
Helping digestion: Water helps break down food in the digestive tract, creating ease in nutrient absorption into the bloodstream.
Water plays a key role in hydrolysis, breaking down large molecules for better digestion. It also dissolves soluble fibres and softens stools.
Supports organ function: Dogs’ organs, such as the kidneys, livers, and heart, need proper hydration to function well. Failure to hydrate will lead to organ damage and failure.
Signs of dehydration in dogs
All dogs are at risk of dehydration if they don’t drink or eat enough. Here are some signs of dehydration in dogs:
- Lethargy and reduced energy levels
- Pain
- Dry nose
- Excessive panting or increased respiratory rate
- Sticky, dry gums
- Dryness and itchiness of skin
- Sunken eyes
- Lack of appetite
- Disorientation/ confusion
- Darkened urine
Top tip: Use your thumb and forefinger to pinch a little skin on their back or the top of their head. If they are well hydrated, the skin should spring back; if not, it will move back into place more slowly. In extreme cases of dehydration, it does not spring back at all.
This can be more difficult to assess in older or pups with thick, long hair/ excess skin.
Tips for encouraging hydration in pets
Dog dehydration can quickly worsen if swift action is not taken. Here are some practical tips to encourage better hydration:
Ensure fresh, clean water is always available
Refill your dog’s water bowl every day, cleaning them to make sure algae and bacteria do not build up. Bring a collapsible bowl next time you go for a walk too!
Provide multiple water stations
Make sure you set up multiple water bowls in various spots around your home. This is especially important if you have a large space or multiple pets.
Add water to meals
Mixing a small amount of water with your pet’s food will ensure increased fluid intake.
Adjust diet
When providing your pup with a raw food diet, you can be confident that they are receiving sufficient hydration. Supermarket kibble is not recommended by our team at sure4pets due to its poor nutritional value.
Try a pet water fountain
Dogs and cats both struggle to see water with the same clarity that humans do. Dogs have around 20% of the visual acuity of humans, making water appear slightly blurrier. A pet water fountain may prove more visually appealing to your furry friend, as the motion will make it clearer.
How much water does a pet need?
Dogs should typically drink between 50-60ml of water per kilogram of their body weight, daily.
Switch to a raw food diet
Switching to a raw food diet will ensure your pup receives far more hydration than the supermarket alternative. In our customer stories, we consistently notice improvements in pups’ hydration when we switch them over. From shiny, healthy fur to increased energy levels, the nutrition in raw eating is unmatched.
Find out why feeding raw is best, or take a look at our selection!
