5 Hydration Facts Pet Parents Should Know About Their Dog
Just like humans, water is essential for your dog’s overall health and well-being. Proper hydration plays a crucial role in almost every bodily function, from regulating temperature and aiding digestion to transporting nutrients and preventing illness. Understanding the importance of hydration for your dog is a fundamental aspect of responsible pet ownership that contributes significantly to their longevity, which is why we pulled 5 hydration facts about your dog that we think every pet owner should know about.
Fact #1: Dogs bodies are roughly 80% water, which is vital for all bodily processes. Water in your dog helps to prevent infection and disease, increase energy levels, maintain stable body temperature and blood circulation, filter waste, process food, moisturize the air in their lungs, support nervous system function and transport nutrients and oxygen in the bloodstream to cells.
Fact #2: Dogs should drink approximately 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. If you have a dog that weighs 50 pounds, they should be getting at least 50 ounces of water (or 6 ¼ cups of water) per day. Various factors can influence your dog’s water intake, such as the temperature, so it’s essential to not restrict their water consumption.
Fact #3: Water is more vital for dogs than humans to prevent overheating. Dogs can only sweat a small amount from their nose and paw pads. The main way for dogs to lose body heat and to cool down is through panting, which results in water loss through evaporation. Because of this, keeping your dog hydrated is especially important on hot days.
Fact #4: Drinking an excessive amount of water is called ‘polydipsia.’ If you notice that your dog is drinking more water than usual, it’s likely due to the fact that they are losing more water in some way. A few issues that may cause them to drink more include a urinary tract infection, liver or kidney disease, diabetes, high calcium levels or certain medications.
Fact #5: Dehydration in dogs occurs when a dog loses more fluids than it takes in, leading to a deficiency of water in the body. A dehydrated dog’s body doesn’t have enough water to function properly, reducing the delivery of oxygen to organs and tissues. Dehydration in dogs also results in a loss of electrolytes such as potassium, sodium and chloride.
So the next time you reach for your cup of water, think about your dog’s hydration and if their bowl has clean, fresh water to help replenish their body too. Water does more than just quench their thirst on a hot day - they need water to keep their bodily functions on track and running properly so they can have a long life ahead of them in a healthy body.
When it comes to hydration, Going Mutts Pet Services is on the ball when it comes to our summer walks! To help keep our pups cool, refreshed and hydrated while walking, we make sure we carry water, monitor for signs of heat stress, adjust our pace and routes based on temperature and prioritize shade and rest breaks. To inquire about how we can help with your dogs daily exercise or playtime, contact us today through our website or email us at info@goingmuttspetservices.com.
Sources:
https://www.absopure.com/blog/pet-hydration-4-facts-you-need-to-know/
https://www.purina.co.uk/articles/dogs/health/symptoms/dog-hydration
