It's important to keep our pets hydrated throughout the scorching weather as the temperature increases. Extreme dehydration in pets can lead to heatstroke, renal failure, and other serious health problems. But don't worry? There are many creative and helpful methods to keep our feathered and furry pets cool and hydrated over the warm days. Here's how you can create "hydration stations" around your home and garden, offer water-rich treats, and identify the signs of dehydration in your pets.
Signs of Dehydration in Pets
Identifying the signs of dehydration at the start can be life-saving for your pet. Here are some common symptoms to watch out for:
Excessive Panting
While panting is normal, especially for dogs, watch for panting that seems excessive compared to their usual behaviour.
Dry Gums and Nose
Healthy pets typically have moist gums and noses. Dryness in these areas can be a symptom of dehydration.
Sluggishness
A sign of dehydration may be your pet appearing extremely fatigued, lethargic, and uninterested in any exercise.
Dim Eyes
This may indicate severe dehydration, for which your pet needs emergency veterinarian care.
Test of Elasticity
Pinch the skin on the back of your pet's neck lightly to test this. Should it fail to promptly revert to its initial posture, your pet may be experiencing dehydration.
Calculating Daily Water Intake
The amount of water a dog needs can vary based on their size, diet, age, and activity level. Here’s how to calculate basic needs:
General Rule: Dogs need about one ounce of water per pound of body weight per day.
Active dogs: Dogs that are very active or who live in humid, hot environments may need to consume extra water in order to replace the fluids they lose through increased salivation and panting.
Dietary considerations: Dogs whose diets are based on dry food require considerably more water than dogs whose diets are based on wet food as the wet food already contains some water that can fulfil their hydration needs.
Ingenious Methods for Keeping Pets Hydrated
1. Ice Cube Entertainment
Give your beloved pet ice cubes filled with frozen toys or snacks. They can play and lick it, which keeps them occupied and helps them stay hydrated.
2. Several Water Stations
Water bowls should be placed in a variety of locations both inside and outside in regions with shade. Since they have more options, some pets may choose some locations over others because they are more comfortable or because it may be their favourite. This could lead to their drinking more.
3. Fountains of Water
A lot of pets like rushing water, particularly cats. A water fountain for your pet can be a very encouraging technique to make them drink more often.
4. Infusions of Flavour
To make their water more palatable to drink, add a small amount of low-sodium chicken or broth to pets that might be reluctant or unwilling to drink enough water.
Recipes for Water-Rich Treats
A tasty method to help your pet stay hydrated is to include treats rich in water in their diet. Following are some recipes:
1. Fruit Treats in a Freeze
Make sure the blueberries, strawberries, or watermelon puree are healthy for your pet before freezing them together to create a cool, refreshing treat.
2. Popsicles with broth
Freeze low-sodium chicken or broth together with a few delicious treats in ice cube trays or tiny cups. For dogs and cats, they can prove to be a cool, tasty treat on a steamy day.
Conclusion
During the warm weather, we need to be very careful and supplement the needed water to make sure that our pets are in the optimal condition. We can be certain that our pet is statically hydrated during the hot season by involving them with cool water, making high-water content treats and staying cautious about the signs of dehydration. It is advisable to always turn to your vet if you feel confused regarding your pet’s water demands or if you have the slightest suspicion that your pet is dehydrated. It’s our duty to provide plenty of water for our dogs and shaded areas. Before feeling like sharing the summer with our pets we should all consider this thoroughly.
