Sip, Slurp, Wag: A Guide for Keeping Your Dog Hydrated + A Dog Friendly Slushy Recipe
Water is essential for ALL life, dogs included! Just like us, dogs need to stay hydrated to stay
healthy, age well, feel their best, and give 110% during play time.
Drinking plenty of water helps to:
Regulate Body Temperature
Dogs don’t sweat; they pant to keep cool. Without adequate water this panting/cooling
process doesn’t do enough to help your dog avoid heat stroke.
Remove Waste
First dogs eat and drink, then they do their business outside (hopefully outside). Water helps keep waste products flowing through their body and out of their system. When dogs don’t get enough water, their waste can become concentrated in the body and lead to health issues.
Deliver Nutrients to Cells
Approximately 90% of blood is water. This helps to deliver nutrients to the cells throughout our bodies, helping internal organs do their jobs.
So now that you know why hydration is crucial for your dog’s wellbeing, let’s move on to how to keep your pooch hydrated. Don’t you just have to give them a bowl of water? It’s not quite that simple. Yes your dog will drink water from their bowl when thirsty. The rule is (for humans too!) when you’re thirsty, it means that you’re already dehydrated.
Here are a few tips to increase your fur-baby’s water intake:
Access to clean, fresh water at all times
Give your pup fresh water, in a clean bowl, everyday. When the weather gets hotter it becomes even more important to scrub their water dish to ensure that no bacteria or mold are deterring your dog from drinking enough. For busy dog parents, it may be beneficial to look into a dog water fountain.
Wet Food
If your vet hasn’t instructed you to keep your dog on kibble alone, then try out adding some wet food to your dog’s diet. You don’t have to feed your pup ONLY wet food. You can try to feed wet foods for breakfast, or maybe just on weekends. Every little bit helps.
Add Water to their Food
Adding just a little bit of water to their kibble or wet food is a great way to help your pup keep hydrated. You don’t even have to add much! My dog gets a ¼ cup of water added to his breakfast every day, turning his wet food into a stew-like consistency. If you’re not sure how much you can add, check with your veterinarian an appropriate amount for your dog based on weight, breed, and activity level.
Hydration is essential for health, and I hope that these tips and info help you keep your fur-baby happy and healthy.
What’s your dog’s water bowl situation like? Share with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram by tagging #MamaWalksDogs. Got ideas, suggestions, or wanna share your experience? Comment below!
With puppy and kitty love,
Lily the Dog Mama
Looking for more? Check out this recipe for a dog slushy treat, perfect for a summertime hydration boost!
Dog Friendly Slushy
Ingredients:
1 Cup Watermelon
½ Cup Blueberries
¼ Cup Cold Water (can use ice cubes too!)
1 Tbsp Low-fat Greek Yogurt
1 Tsp Honey
Instructions:
In a blender (or food processor) combine all ingredients
Blend until smooth
Serve to your curious pup