Keeping Dogs Hydrated In The Summer

Discussing The Best Ways To Keep Your Furry Friend Well Hydrated During The Hot And Humid Summer Months

With the Summer months comes the Summer weather and temperatures. While most people enjoy the hot weather, it’s easy to neglect staying well hydrated. This is especially true for dogs. Dogs rely on their owners to provide clean, quality water throughout the hot summer days. Without this water source, dogs can suffer.

This article will go over some of the best ways to keep your dog well hydrated during the hot Summer months. This includes ways to prevent dog dehydration, various products that help keep dogs hydrated, signs that your dog is dehydrated, and why proper hydration is so important for dogs. 

Why Hydration Is So Important For Dogs

According to Advanced Care Veterinary Hospital, 70% of your dog’s body is made up of water. Drinking water is essential to your dog’s health. Therefore, it’s very important for pet owners to monitor their dog’s water intake. While most dogs are good about drinking enough water, some dogs can be very picky. This will vary from dog to dog, so pay close attention to your dog’s water bowl levels everyday to judge their water intake. 

Signs Of Dehydration In Dogs

Here are a few red flags that may indicate that your dog is dehydrated and not drinking enough water. Dehydration symptoms include loss of appetite, lethargy, dry, sticky, pale gums, and increased heart rate.

If your dog is displaying any of these symptoms, give them some water immediately. If your dog refuses to drink, there could be something more serious going on. Contact your veterinarian immediately for more assistance. 

How To Keep Dogs Well Hydrated

Now that we covered why hydration is so important for dogs, let’s go over the different ways you can keep your dog hydrated. Keep in mind that every dog is different and not all of these strategies will work on every dog. It may take some trial & error or slight adjustments, but feel free to mix it up and do what works best for your dog. 

Multiple Water Bowls

A great way to keep your dog well hydrated this summer is to give them lots of drinking options. Setup multiple water bowls (3 or 4) throughout the house so they always have accessible water nearby. You can also put a water bowl outside for your dog. But, be sure to keep it out of direct sunlight so the water doesn’t get too hot. Additionally, avoid putting metal bowls in direct sunlight as they could become hot to the touch. 

Refresh Those Bowls!

It may go without saying, but you should be refreshing your dog’s water bowls multiple times a day. Make it a point to empty and refill your dog’s water bowls at least 2 to 3 times a day. This also gives you the opportunity to monitor how much water your dog is drinking on a given day. 

Add Water To Dry Food

If you notice your dog isn’t drinking enough water, then consider adding some water to their dry food. This is a sneaky, yet effective way to get your dog to drink more water. If your dog is a picky eater, you can add some more flavorful liquids like bone broth. For more information on the benefits of bone broth for dogs, click here. Additionally, you can also give your dog wet food as wet food contains moisture content. 

Frozen Treats

If your dog loves treats, then consider giving them frozen treats to help keep them well hydrated. Frozen treats have moisture content which can help keep your dog hydrated and taste delicious. You can buy frozen treats or make them yourself. For some D.I.Y. frozen dog treat recipes, click here. For some purchasable frozen dog treats, click here. 

Products That Keep Dogs Well Hydrated

Aside from the aforementioned strategies, there are also some great products you can buy to help keep your dog well hydrated. They include things like pet water fountains, collapsible water bowls (for on the go), and doggy cooling towels. These products aren’t 100% necessary, but they certainly can help keep your dog well hydrated during Summer. 

Hire A Pet Sitter Today!

Do you or someone you know need a pet sitter? Then look no further than ParaMount Pet Care! We are the leading pet care professionals in the Luzerne County area. All of our sitters are insured, bonded, trained in pet CPR & first aid, and dedicated to caring for your pets. 

We offer a wide variety of pet sitting services such as in-home pet sitting, routine dog walking, overnight stays, and more! Click here to see all of our services! Click here to become a client today or give us a call at 570-814-1037. We look forward to hearing from you soon! Be sure to check us out on Facebook and Instagram too. We post adorable pictures of pets everyday that you won’t want to miss!