Is your Pet asking for water?
/To raise awareness of the importance of pet hydration to keep your pets safe, July has been declared as National Pet Hydration Awareness Month.
As families spend more time outside walking, hiking, or playing in the pool, chances are your pets are outdoors with you too.
Did you know that your pet’s body is made up of 80% water compared to a human body that is 60% water? Therefore, as it gets hot outside, your pet is at risk for dehydration or heat exhaustion similar to yourself.
Getting enough water is crucial to your pet’s health.
Benefits of keeping your pets hydrated
Promotes urinary tract health. Pets who stay hydrated have a lower risk of urinary tract infections, and a much lower risk of developing urinary stones or crystals that cause dangerous obstructions.
Helps to regulate body temperature.
Keeps energy levels up for play and exercise. Water helps animals convert fat to energy.
Promotes easier healing and recovery. Drinking water keeps your pet’s kidneys healthy and flushes toxins from their body. This allows them to recover quicker from surgery, sickness or injury.
Tips to Prevent Dehydration:
Know how much water your Pet needs. Pets need one ounce of water per pound of body weight. So a 10 lb. cat or dog would need to drink 10 ounces of water every day.
Some pet owners like to freeze kibble into ice cubes and let their dogs chew on the ice kibble cubes.
Give your Pet access to fresh water at all times whether they are outside or inside. Change your pet’s water bowl frequently and wash the water bowls every day to prevent bacterial growth.
Bring water with you on a hike or a car trip. A portable water dish or doggy water bottle makes it easier to keep your pet hydrated while away from home.
Provide a place to cool off if outside in the sun. Pets heat up quickly in the sun, especially those with dark coloured coats.
Add water to your pet’s food. If you suspect your pet isn’t getting enough water from drinking alone, add a little water to his dry food or start offering more wet food.
Many animals like to drink running water and that’s why fountain water bowls are ideal.
By staying aware of your pet’s hydration needs, you will be sure your pet and yourself will have a safe and happy summer together.
Signs of dehydration
Vomiting and/or diarrhea
Excessive, ongoing panting
Loss of appetite
Dry, sticky gums
Loss of energy
Loss of skin elasticity
If you suspect your pet is dehydrated, call your vet immediately. Your vet can monitor your pet’s condition and administer fluids immediately if necessary.
Emergency First Aid for dogs
For the best chance of survival, dogs suffering from heatstroke urgently need to have their body temperature lowered gradually.
Move him/her to a shaded/cool area.
Immediately douse the dog with cool (not cold) water, to avoid shock. If possible, you can also use wet towels or place him/her in the breeze of a fan.
Allow the dog to drink small amounts of cool water.
Continue to douse the dog with cool water until his/her breathing starts to settle but never so much that he/she begins to shiver.
Once the dog is cool, take him/her to the nearest vet as a matter of urgency.
#NOHOTPETS
When the thermometer soars, a parked car can quickly become a furnace, endangering an animal’s life, and making the owner liable to criminal charges.
When is it too hot?
When a heat advisory is issued, it applies to animals as well. Even on a relatively mild day, temperatures in parked cars can become dangerous in a matter of minutes. Opening or lowering the windows does little or nothing to slow this process.
With only hot air to breathe, a dog’s normal cooling process – panting – doesn’t work. A dog can withstand internal body temperatures of 40°C for only a few minutes before brain damage or death can occur. The older or more vulnerable the animal, the more susceptible they are to heatstroke or something worse.
The video below provides great relevant information on the subject.
