Pet dehydration is often overlooked. However, as a pet owner, you must be wary of the dangers of your pet getting dehydrated. It might lead to organ damage and if not treated, it can be life-threatening. Water intake is crucial for pets even though they have more water in their bodies than humans. Pets that spend the majority of their time outdoors are especially at risk for pet dehydration and special care must be taken to ensure they drink an adequate amount of water daily.
This National Pet Hydration Month, we will inform you about the signs of dehydration in your pet, how to keep them hydrated, and what to do if they get dehydrated. This will help you be cautious about your pet’s water intake for a healthy and long life.
How to keep your pet hydrated?
1. Know the signs of dehydration
One of the most important steps of keeping your pet hydrated is to know everything there is to know about dehydration, what causes it, and the signs of pet dehydration. The signs often include vomiting and diarrhea, loss of energy, loss of appetite, sunken and dry eyes, tightening skin, and excessive panting.
2. Know how much water your pet requires
Most pets require an ounce of water for each pound of their body weight. Hence, a cat that weighs 10 lb. will require about 9 to 10 ounces of water whereas a Labrador or retriever that weighs 70 lb. will require 70 ounces daily. The water requirement relies heavily on your pet’s size. It is difficult to always monitor how much water your pet is drinking between playing outdoors to moving around indoors. However, if you know their requirements, you can keep an eye on the extent possible that can prevent a case of pet dehydration.
3. Give your pet access to fresh water all the time
Replace the bowl with fresh water every day. You should place water bowls across the house so that your pet is reminded to drink water no matter where she is.
4. Carry water while traveling
If you are traveling, you must carry enough water for yourself as well as for your pet. Remember to make him drink the water from time to time. Spending time outdoors provides higher chances of dehydration.
5.Add water to your pet’s food
Another simple but effective way to prevent dehydration is to add water to your pet’s food. Dry food has less water content so try to replace it with wet food at times to balance the water intake, especially during the hot summer season.
Signs of dehydration
Water content is essential for the proper functioning of your pet’s organs, for digestion, metabolism, circulation, and so on. Hence, if you think your pet is suffering from dehydration look out for the following signs to confirm:
● Confusion
● Appetite loss
● Depression
● Dry mouth
● Excessive panting for prolonged periods
● Breathing problem
● Seizures
● Sunken eyes
What to do if your pet gets dehydrated?
You must provide your pet with cool water if they get dehydrated. It is best if you seek medical advice from the vet as pets often require fluids to be injected into their bodies when they suffer from dehydration. Once the checkup and replenishment of fluids are completed, the vet might conduct some routine tests to check for underlying medical conditions after which you and your furball are good to go home. However, to avoid a visit to the vet the next time, ensure that they drink enough water every day.
Summing up
National Pet Hydration Awareness Month is important to spread awareness and information about everything that has been discussed in this article. As paw parents, ensure that your fluffball drinks adequate water to avoid pet dehydration that might lead to more serious conditions. We know you want the best for your pet and sometimes something as simple as drinking water can be the path to a long, healthy life.