During the hottest months of the year, staying hydrated is of utmost importance, for both you and your pet.
Human bodies are made up of 55 to 60 percent water, but did you know that your dog or cat’s body is made up of 80 percent water? Keeping pets hydrated is imperative for vital organ function like digestion and waste removal, and when they become dehydrated, serious health issues can arise.
Take a look at this helpful infographic, and then we’ll chat some more below.
When temperatures are on the rise during the hottest months of the year, it’s imperative that you know the symptoms of dehydration in your dog or cat. Look for:
- Sunken eyes
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Dry mouth
- Depression
If your pet is dehydrated, or you’re simply not sure, always defer to your veterinarian.
Always have fresh, clean drinking water available for your pet. At our house, we love the Drinkwell fountain because it aerates the water and inhibits bacteria growth, and the constantly moving water encourages our pets to drink, drink, drink. If you’ve never tried a fountain for your pets, we strongly recommend it.
What do you do to encourage your pet to drink water and stay hydrated, especially during the warm summer months?
The fine print: This post contains an affiliate link, which means that if you use the link to make a purchase, we may receive a small commission. You’re under no obligation to make your purchase using this link but know that when you do, you are supporting the work of this website and for that, we thank you.
All Things Collie says
July 18, 2014 at 12:34 pmAwesome post! Thanks for sharing this info, I agree too many people overlook how much water their pets are consuming.
Christina Berry says
July 18, 2014 at 11:36 pmIt’s easy to not notice how much our pets are drinking, but it really is important to stay on top of! Thanks for stopping by to read this! I appreciate it!
Laura says
July 18, 2014 at 3:27 pmHad no idea my cat’s body is 80% water. Great information!! Gotta keep our fur babies hydrated.
Christina Berry says
July 18, 2014 at 11:38 pmI know! Isn’t that amazing – 80 percent! Wow!
Cathy Armato says
July 18, 2014 at 10:15 pmGreat infographic. I didn’t realize pets were made up of 80% water! I encourage drinking by making sure they always have cool, clean, fresh water available at home and while we’re traveling or out for the day. We try to have water from home whenever possible so it’s consistent and familiar to them. Drinking fountain is a good idea!
Cathy Armato
http://www.dogsluvusandweluvthem.blogspot.com
Christina Berry says
July 18, 2014 at 11:38 pmCathy, what a great idea to use water from home when you’re traveling. Less likely for stomach upset that way, too!
Kelsie says
July 18, 2014 at 10:41 pmGreat tips. Thankfully, my two typically have a very good water intake, but I’m always watching to make sure.
Christina Berry says
July 18, 2014 at 11:41 pmWere you surprised by how much they actually need? I sure was. Now I’m really aware of what they drink every day.
Rebekah says
July 19, 2014 at 11:51 pmI worry about my dogs being adequately hydrated. I am constantly checking the water bowls, both to see if they need filled, and to make sure they are drinking.
Sarah @ Lolathepitty.com says
July 20, 2014 at 10:56 pmGreat tips…Lola tends to overheat very quickly so I’m always paranoid about heatstroke with her and am always carrying plenty of water for them. Definitely sharing!
Christie Kontz says
July 6, 2015 at 7:06 pmI know my dog doesn’t drink enough water even though I change it out twice a day, wash her stainless steel water bowl out daily, and use only fresh, filtered, water from my PUR system so I know it doesn’t have a funky taste. I’m wondering if anyone has any ideas as to how I could get her to drink more water?