Fun and Easy Ways to Get Your Pet to Drink More Water

Making sure your pets are properly hydrated is important all year, but even more so when the weather heats up. If you think your dog or cat isn’t drinking enough water, there are some fun and easy ways to encourage them to do better with hydration.

What Is the Healthy Hydration Baseline?

Generally, dogs should drink at least one ounce of water per pound of body weight every day. Cats need about 3.5 to 4.5 ounces of water per 5 pounds of body weight daily. Their needs may change based on exertion, ambient temperature, and other contemporaneous health conditions, such as diabetes or kidney disease. Any period of exercise could lead to sweating, and a need to replenish that lost hydration.

How to Keep Pets Hydrated

Because pets only sweat through their paw pads, they pant to cool themselves down. This is an effective system in most cases, but if a pet overdoes it on a hot day, they can quickly develop dehydration or heat stroke. Providing plenty of clean, fresh water is the best way to prevent heat-related problems.

The Best Water Bowl for Pets

There are countless kinds of pet water bowls available on the market. With materials ranging from stainless steel to ceramic, it might take a little trial and error to discover which kind your pet likes the most. Small bowls may hold about 1.5 cups of water for smaller breeds, while extra large bowls have a 12-cup capacity for large and giant breeds.

Factors That Affect Thirst

Between weather changes, travel, age, and various health conditions, a pet’s thirst levels can vary. Any time you notice that your pet looks or behaves differently, we encourage you to observe them for any possible explanations. If there are other symptoms like lethargy, lack of appetite, or simply seeming “off,” please give us a call.

Cat and Dog Drinking Tips

Other ways you can encourage your pets to drink more water include:

• Adding water to dry kibble
• Investing in a circulating water fountain (especially beneficial for cats)
• Offering pet-safe ice pops or flavored ice cubes
• Adding more water bowls throughout the home
• Trying to find a new spot for your pet’s main water bowl

If you have any questions about your pet’s water needs, and how this affects their overall health, please call us at (512) 263-9292.