We all need to drink more fluids to avoid dehydration – and dogs are no different.
While water makes up over half our body weight, it constitutes 80 per cent of our pets’ - making fluid replenishment even more important for their overall health.
As a guideline, your pet needs 70 ml of water daily for every 1 kg of weight. So, a 10 kg dog, such as a Westie, should drink around 700 ml - just over a pint - in 24 hours. A 30 kg large breed dog – such as a Labrador – should be drinking 2.1 litres during the same period.
To help us keep our pets hydrated this summer Rob Steele, from online animal experts PetSafe, has shared his eight top tips to keep our dogs hydrated, happy and healthy.
He explained: “The best seasonal advice we can give to pet owners is to make sure their four-legged friends are getting enough water. By following these few simple steps, we can make a real difference to their hydration and general health.
“Try to monitor water levels in bowls if you can, keeping an eye on how many times they visit them. If water levels don’t decrease sufficiently over the course of the day, they’re not drinking enough. Be aware of the signs of dehydration – including sunken eyes, lethargy, loss of appetite, a dry mouth and depression. And if they’re not adequately hydrated, they won’t be able to pant or sweat efficiently, which puts them at risk of overheating.
“It’s also a good idea to keep an eye on how often they go to the toilet. It’s a good sign if your pet is urinating several times a day. If your dog is dehydrated, he won’t be motivated to go to the toilet and will show signs of lethargy or fatigue. Being active and playing happily are signs that they’re drinking enough water.”
Here’s his advice.
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5. Have multiple bowls of water throughout the house
To ensure that your pet has a continuous supply of fresh water, put out different clean bowls and water stations around your home and garden and make sure you keep them topped up. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
6. Create frozen fun with cooling freezer toys
A freezer toy is great for keeping your pooch cool and hydrated – and extending shaded playtime to up to 30 minutes - when temperatures rise. It helps pups cool down and stay entertained by filling and freezing it with their wet food for a slow feed option to savour. Even better, it also helps cleans teeth and gums whilst chewing on grooves and crevices. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
7. Add flavour to water
Adding low sodium chicken broth or beef broth – without the onions - or bone broth to plain water is another handy way to encourage our dogs to drink more. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
8. Invest in a pet water fountain
For more reluctant drinkers, take a look at pet fountains, which encourage dogs and cats to drink more water because it’s running. The continuous, fresh supply of running water provides a more natural way for pets to drink. Photo: Canva/Getty Images