Keeping Your Pets Well Hydrated

We love our furry companions. They are a huge part of our families. They’re there to nudge you awake in the morning with a slobbery nozzle and cuddle up on the couch with you for movie night. But, sometimes, it’s easy to put their nutritional and health needs on autopilot. Pill with meal… check. Fill water and food bowl… check. Monthly flea and tick… check. Of course, routines are helpful, efficient and unavoidable. But, it also helps to remember why the actions that make up our routines are so important. It can even make some of these routines more meaningful.

With that said, when was the last time you gave your pet’s hydration needs a second thought?

All You Need to Know About Keeping Your Pets Hydrated

Why is water important to your pets?

We all know that water is essential for health. But, how does that translate to your four-legged fur babies? Water helps dogs, cats and other common household pets regulate their internal body temperatures. Water also plays a key role in nutrient absorption and food digestion, lubrication and cushioning in joints and regular bowel movements.

How can you tell if your pet is hydrated?

Some pet owners are so attuned to their pet needs they know what they need just by looking at them. For the rest of us, the job is a little bit harder. How can you tell if your dogs and other pets are not getting enough water? Here are a few common symptoms of dehydration in pets:

• Dry mouth
• Dry nose and gums
• Lack of energy or enthusiasm
• Sunken eyes
• Loss of appetite

There’s also the telltale barking and jumping around the water bowl.

Why does dehydration happen?

Pets lose water through a number of normal processes, like going to the bathroom, panting or even regular breathing. Water is replenished by eating or drinking. If your pets don’t have enough to eat or drink, they will become dehydrated.

Pets are more likely to get dehydrated if they don’t have a regular and sufficient access to clean drinking water. Dehydration is also more likely to occur in the hotter summer months, especially if you take your dog for a long walk and don’t bring water along.

How much water do your pets need?

The water needs of each pet are different. But, generally, the bigger they are the more water they need. For dogs, the ASPCA recommends at least one ounce of water for each pound of weight. So, if your dog weighs 40 pounds, he or she should drink at least four 10-ounce cups of water per day. Cats typically require 2 to 4 ounces of fresh water daily – more, if the diet consists of dry food only.

How to avoid dehydration in your pets?

There are a few simple things you can do to ensure that your pets stay properly hydrated:

• Get our Deluxe Top Loading Water Dispenser with Pet Station to make sure they have clean, fresh drinking water every day
• Make several additional pet water stations throughout the house – some cats prefer low traffic locations
• Add canned food to your pet’s diet (it contains more water than kibble)
• Take water bottles for your pets along on walks and hikes – make sure they’re comfortable drinking from them

Pets Are a Great Reason to Embrace the Primo Lifestyle

The Primo Lifestyle helps you and your pets lead a healthier life. With Primo water, you know you’re getting great tasting, absolutely clean, filtered and purified water. And, with our pet dispenser, you can make sure your pets get access to the same high-quality water as the rest of the family.

Find the right dispenser for your family (and pets) at store.primowater.com.