Is your pet drinking enough water?
Just like us, our pets also need to drink plenty of water to be healthy. Dehydration can lead to digestive issues, UTIs, and many other health problems. Severe dehydration can even cause organ failure and death. It is important to know how much water your pet should drink, and how to keep them hydrated. Here’s why water is so crucial to your pet’s health.
The Importance of Good Hydration in Cats and Dogs
Water supports countless bodily functions in pets, from digestion to joint health to body temperature. Here are five important reasons to keep your pet hydrated.
1: Organ Health
Dehydration has a negative effect on the health of the kidneys, liver, and urinary tract. It can lead to lasting problems like kidney disease in cats and dogs, and even organ failure.
2: Healthy Joints
The cartilage that cushions your pet’s joints is made up mostly of water. When your pet is not drinking enough water, their body will take water from places like the cartilage for use in other parts of the body. This can cause painful problems like hip dysplasia and arthritis.
3: Temperature Regulation
Keeping hydrated is one way that cats and dogs regulate their body’s temperature. Drinking plenty of water helps them stay cool and avoid dangerous illnesses like heat stroke in the summer.
4: Waste Removal
Water carries waste away from the organs and aids the kidneys in elimination. If your pet is not drinking enough water, they could develop a urinary tract infection (UTI) or kidney disease.
5: Better Digestion
Water lubricates the digestive tract and helps your pet’s body absorb the nutrients it needs for good health.
How to Tell If Your Pet Is Getting Enough Water
Try a Skin Turgor Test: Gently pinch the skin between your pet’s shoulder blades, pull gently, and release it. If the skin quickly returns to its normal spot, your pet is well hydrated. This video explains the test and shows you how to do it.
Check Their Gums: Your pet’s gums should be shiny and moist. If you touch your pet’s gums and they feel tacky or dry, then they are not properly hydrated.
Tips for Keeping Your Pet Hydrated
Your pet needs about 1 oz of water per pound of body weight every day. But they don’t always drink as much water as they should. Here are some of the best ways to get your pets to drink enough water.
- Keep the water flowing. Your pet should have access to clean, fresh water all day long. For older pets, this might mean a bowl of water in every room for easier access. Picky pets might even need a fancy fountain to ensure the water is cycled. If you go hiking with your pets, be sure to bring enough water for yourself AND your pet.
- Add water to their food. Adding water to your pet’s dry kibble will not only help them stay hydrated, it will also aid their digestion. Feeding your pet canned wet food is another great way to add more liquid to their diet.
- Put in an additive. For pets who won’t drink plain water, adding a little meat broth can entice them. Check to be sure that the broth is low in sodium, as excess sodium can dehydrate your pet further and cause other problems.
Exceptional Care for Pets in Gilbert, Arizona
East Valley Animal Hospital provides the best care for pets, and our expert veterinarians are here to support you whenever you need help. We reserve time at every exam for pet owners to ask us questions about pet care. If you have concerns about your pet’s health, or if they are due for a checkup, please call us at 480-892-1577 to make an appointment.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (12/8/24). Photo by Sugarman Joe on Unsplash