Help Your Pet Avoid Dehydration This Summer
Water is the most abundant nutrient in your pet’s body, making up 75-80 percent of their composition. Water transports vital nutrients and removes waste. So especially during these long summer months, it’s essential that your pet takes in the water they need.
For pets, dehydration can occur more quickly than in humans because they get hot faster and do not sweat. Being aware of the threat of dehydration and how your pet responds to it can help you avoid it.
Signs of Dehydration
We can recognize our own dehydration as a dry mouth, water craving, headaches, and irritability. Even though your pet won’t ask for a glass of cold water when they’re hot, they will exhibit behaviors that can help you know when you need to step in. It’s important to look for and recognize these signs early to avoid life threatening complications.
Signs your pet might need to cool down and rehydrate include:
- Lethargy. Your pet seems to have lost their appetite, is moving slower, panting heavily, and/or has either an increased heart rate or a weaker pulse.
- Dry mouth. Its gums do not feel moist to the touch but are dry and sticky instead.
- Sunken eyes, shock, and collapse. These signal severe dehydration.
Remember, dehydration can occur indoors, too -- especially in rooms without air conditioning or during power outages when the temperature outside gets very high. So it’s important to stay vigilant. Keep in mind, too, that elderly, obese, and pets with pre-existing conditions (such as kidney disease or respiratory disease) and/or heavy coats are especially vulnerable.
If you are ever concerned that your pet is dehydrated, contact your veterinarian or emergency clinic for help.
Preventing Dehydration
Here are some suggestions to help prevent summer dehydration.
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Always provide plenty of clean water and monitor intake. Wash your pet’s water bowl daily to prevent bacterial growth and change the water out frequently to ensure freshness. Dogs generally require at least 1 oz per pound of body weight per day. Cats require 5-6 oz. But this requirement can double or even triple with heat and exercise!
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Take along water and a water bowl wherever you go. Don’t rely on natural water sources being available. Ponds and pools can be a source of bacteria and chemicals, too, so a collapsible canvas bowl is preferable. When out in the heat, be sure to provide a water break at least once every 15-20 minutes.
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Exercise your dog in the cooler parts of the day. Schedule exercise early in the morning or evening hours to avoid the most intense heat of the day. Allow for plenty of rest and water breaks during play activity and exercise. Keep in mind that your dog may not know its limits and continue to enthusiastically chase the ball or frisbee long after it's time to slow down and rest or take a drink.
- Consider leaving your dog at home. Many pets love to travel everywhere with us, but when the temperatures are soaring, sometimes their well-being is best served by leaving them at home.
Of course, your pet's very best chance at warding off complications from dehydration begin with healthy nutrition. And we can definitely help with that. Stop by today for all of your pet's food and watering needs, and our friendly staff will be glad to take care of you!
NOTE: This post is adapted (with permission) from content proudly brought to you by our partners at Nutrena and Cargill Animal Nutrition. The original article appears here.