23 Oct

The importance of keeping your pet hydrated

When thinking about how to best care for their pet, most pet owners think a lot about what food will provide the best nutrition for their furry friend. However, making sure your pet is well hydrated is just as important as making sure they are well fed. Water is a basic component of cells in the human body, and it’s the same for your pets. Our internal organs also need a certain amount of moisture to function properly.

Consider that plasma makes up half of our blood, and 90% of plasma is water. If your pet is not getting enough water throughout the day, it may not function properly and may become dehydrated, which can cause many medical problems now and in the future say the experts from best vet jacksonville fl.

What Does Water Do For My Pet?

Like human bodies, pet bodies depend on water for survival. Waterworks in your pet’s body in many different ways. For example, as part of the bloodstream, it helps carry nutrients to and from cells, helping your pet digest its food and absorb those nutrients. which help in bodily functions. Water helps regulate your pet’s body temperature, improve their cognitive function, cushion their brain and spine, and lubricate their joints. You can see how water affects every aspect of your pet’s body. When humans don’t get enough water, we can feel grumpy, light-headed, or lethargic.

The same can happen with our pets. When dehydration becomes severe, our bodies (as well as our pets’ bodies) draw from the water stores in our cells, which can cause electrolyte imbalances and even muscle breakdown. In fact, if dehydration becomes severe enough, organ failure and even death can occur say the experts from arlingtonanimalhospital.

How To Tell If Your Pet Is Becoming Dehydrated?

Mild dehydration is common in pets, especially as they age. Dehydration is more common in sick pets, cats, and small-faced, or brachycephalic, breeds. If you are monitoring your pet for dehydration, here are some common signs your pet may exhibit:

Slow motion
Fatigue
Reluctance to eat panting
Dry nose or
gums.
Sunken eyes
Decreased skin elasticity (skin tenting)
Vomiting
Constipation or very hard stools

In cats, insufficient water intake can also cause urinary obstruction, which can be fatal if not treated promptly.

Symptoms of cat urinary obstruction include:
Screaming/crying
Pressing into the litter box and producing little to no pee
Avoiding the letterbox hidden
Excessive grooming or licking of the genitals or underside of the tail Cat water fountain

Keep Pour Pet Well Hydrated

There are many ways to help your pet stay healthy and hydrated even on the hottest days of the year. Here are some tips: ‘Provide around-the-clock access to water Pets need unlimited access to clean, fresh water at all times says animal hospital near me. If your pet spends time indoors and outdoors, make sure they have access to water in both areas. Take some with you when going for walks and traveling with your pets.

Switch To Wet Food

As per the experts from Race Track Road Animal Hospital, switching to wet food can help your pet stay hydrated if they aren’t drinking enough water. Wet food has a significantly higher moisture content than dry food, so it’s a great way to help your furry friend get the hydration he needs. Since cats do not drink enough water, it is extremely important to offer them wet food.

Another Way You Can Check

If your pet is dehydrated is to check the elasticity of their skin. To do this, you just need to gently pinch the skin between their shoulder blades. When you let go, if their skin flattens quickly, they likely have enough water.

However, if the skin continues to pinch or it takes more than a few seconds to return to normal, your pet may need to drink some more water. Another method is the “gum test”. With freshly washed and dry hands, gently lift your pet’s upper or lower lip and touch their gums with your fingertip. If your finger comes off easily, it means the pet has adequate hydration. However, if your fingertip feels like it’s slightly sticking to the gums, it could mean your pet is dehydrated explains vet on racetrack road.

How Does Dehydration Occur In Pets?

Problems start to arise when your pet starts losing more water than they are taking in. If your pet is not eating or drinking enough, dehydration may occur. Unfortunately, since one of the symptoms of dehydration is a reluctance to eat, even though your pet can get some hydration from food, they won’t, making their dehydration worse. can Overall, it’s important to monitor your pet’s food and water intake so you can be aware of any problems. Dehydration is also common in pets that exercise a lot or spend a lot of time in hot, humid weather. If your dog has suffered from heat stress or heat stroke, he has likely also suffered from severe dehydration, as the two often go hand in hand. If you have cats, it’s important to monitor them regularly for signs of dehydration, as they can be good at hiding the symptoms. If you are concerned that your cat is not drinking enough water, make an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Just like in human bodies, pets’ bodies take in water from food and drink, and they lose water from going to the bathroom, panting, and breathing regularly.

If Your Pet Is Not Drinking, Move The Water Bowl

Animals especially cats are often fussy about the location of their water bowls. They may refuse to drink if you place it too close to their litter box, food, or noisy appliances such as washing machines says vet near me.

If your pet doesn’t seem interested in the water bowl, move it to a clean area away from food bowls and litter boxes. Make sure it is in a convenient location to allow easy access.

Try Different Bowls

Try a different bowl type. Just as children often have a favorite cup and refuse to drink from anything else, pets may refuse to drink if they don’t like their bowl. If your dog or cat avoids their current water bowl, experiment with different approaches. Some pets prefer circulating water fountains to traditional bowls. They keep the water moving, and animal instincts tell them that moving water is safer than still water. Even the most playful of crickets can overcome their aversion to water once they have access to a running water source. Be sure to wash the bowl regularly with warm, soapy water to prevent mold from forming, making the bowl as pleasant as possible.

Limit Exercise And Outdoor Time On Hot Days

Pets (and people) are more prone to dehydration on hot, sunny days. Protect your furry friend by keeping them indoors and limiting physical activity when temperatures rise says orange park animal hospital. A 90-degree day is not the time for backyard picnics! And, of course, you should never leave your pet unattended in a vehicle on a hot day.

Ways To Keep Your Pet Hydrated

Dehydration can cause serious medical problems in your pet, so the best thing you can do for your pet is to proactively work to prevent it from happening. It’s important to monitor your pet’s water intake year-round, but you’ll want to make it a point to pay extra attention during the summer months. Here are some tips to help make sure your pet doesn’t become dehydrated.

Offer clean, fresh water every day.
Place water bowls in multiple locations around your home and yard
Consider investing in a drinking fountain for your pet.
If cats are interested, let them drink from a dripping faucet.
Add water to dry or wet pet food and stir, increasing hydration from food alone.
Invest in collapsible water bowls for on-the-go drinking. If your pet is reluctant to drink from one type of bowl, try others until you find something they like.
If your pet is not drinking enough water, consider adding a small number of liquid flavorings, such as tuna can liquid, to encourage water consumption.

Concluding Thoughts

Keeping your dog or cat well hydrated is an important step in maintaining their health and preventing dehydration and heat stroke. If you have more questions or think your pet isn’t getting enough water, we’re here to help.