How to Hydrate Your Dog

It seems pretty easy to hydrate your dog or cat, right? Put water in a bowl! Not so fast, Einstein, many of us forget to check the water level not realizing how fast or how much our pets actually drink.

All animals depend on water for proper function of their organs and essentially, to be happy. If you care for a dog or a cat, or any pet for that matter, knowing how to hydrate them is a key requirement and responsibility.

5 Signs of Dehydration in Dogs

Severe dehydration in dogs can lead to kidney and other organ failure which can cause death.

As a dog parent, you need to know when your puppy needs more hydration. Be aware of these warning signs and prevent the worst that can happen to your pet.

  • Dry nose
  • Dry sticky gums
  • Thick saliva
  • Dry eyes
  • Loss of appetite
  • Vomiting with or without diarrhea
  • Loss in skin’s elasticity (an early sign of neglect)

Dogs, like most animals know when to drink. They just need a go to watering hole! Be responsible and provide enough water for your pup at home and when you go outside for play or during your travel.

Taking water along for the dog is often problematic. Here is a great solution from Highwave Dog Products

Highwave Auto Dog Mug

Hiwave dog water bottle.

Creative Ways to Hydrate Your Dog

Here are a few practical ways to hydrate your dog any time of the year.

Use more than one water bowl.

Toilet bowls do not count! Even though animals are aware of their food and water bowl location, give them the convenience of an extra water bowl. Our Great Dane, Jupiter, would go to the toilet bowl when he got thirsty, so we kept the lid down! However, in the bathroom is a great place for an extra water bowl, as we knew he would stop by to check out if the toilet seat was accidently left open.

Invest in a doggy drinking fountain.-

These cool water bowls add curiosity to a dog’s drinking routine. Also, many drinking fountains come with a filter to keep foreign particles out.

Here is a great choice of fountains for your dog or cat.

Catit Flower Cat Fountain

cat-drinking-fountain-with-flower
Level indicator on side.

Drinkwell Indoor/Outdoor Fountain for cats and dogs

Large capacity water bowl
Holds over two gallons!

Add water to your dog’s food.

When you see the signs of your puppy’s dehydration, it may help to add some water into her food. With each each feeding, in the morning and at night, add half a cup of water for a medium-size dog to a cup of water for a bigger breed.

Freeze water in a stainless steel bowl

If you freeze a stainless bowl half full of water than fill with water. As the ice melts it cools the water. Dogs seem to prefer nice cool over room temp.

Frisco Stainless Steel Bowls

Frisco Stainless Steel Bowls
Attractive and sanitary.

Prepare doggy ice pops.

If you have never used ice-cream or popsicles for your pets, you may be in for a surprise. Many dogs (and cats) love cold ice pops!

You don’t need to look for fancy recipes, try freezing a favorite treat in an ice cube! They will hydrate while munching their way to the treat!

For our pets, using several sources of water throughout my home inside and out is a great way to prove water. If one accidentally runs dry there is always another.

Thank you for visiting!

Affiliate Marketing

Please note some of the links on this blog are product affiliate links, which mean that if you click on one of the product links, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. 

Find a sponsor for your web site. Get paid for your great content. shareasale.com.

Social Media

Originally posted on July 13, 2021 @ 10:16 am