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The Importance of Pet Hydration
Water is essential for every pet and living thing on earth.
Your pet’s body is made up of approximately 60% water and each day they must replenish any used fluids.
Recommended normal water intake per day is 30-50ml/kg body weight per day.
20kg dog = 600ml-1lt
5kg cat = 150ml-250ml
Water is essential to keep your pet healthy, and is an essential part of:
- Blood.
- Digestion.
- Organ Function.
- Temperature Regulation.
- Moving important Nutrient into and out of the Cells.
A small percentage drop in fluids can quickly have a negative effect on how your pets body works and lead to dehydration. A prolonged period without water or reduced water intake can have disastrous effects on vital organs and severe dehydration can be fatal.
Ensuring your pet has plenty of free access to fresh clean water and is drinking regularly is an important part of healthy pet care.
Why might my Pet be Dehydrated?
Did you know? Dogs and cats do not sweat the same way as humans!
The human body uses sweat as the main tool to cool body temperature.
They must use other methods to control body temperature:
- Panting.
- Finding Shade.
- Reducing Activity.
Dehydration may occur for various reasons:
Increased Fluid Loss – Vomiting and or diarrhoea, caused by virus, swallowed foreign body, poisons, or long term condition such as colitis or bowel disease.
Increased Urination – Caused by kidney failure, urinary problems or diabetes or other internal problems.
Reduced Food/Fluid Intake – Not eating or drinking enough.
Increased Panting – Evaporation.
High temperatures/humidity where panting is inefficient at cooling core body temperature, and heat stroke.
Stress.
When it comes to Dehydration – Palatability is very important!
It’s not just whats inside a drink that matters for re-hydration support, but also what’s not inside. When trying to encourage nauseous, stressed or excited pets to readily drink and re-hydrate, Great taste helps them drink more fluids for longer, achieving optimum hydration.
Dogs and cats have a taste preference different to ours:
Citrates – They don’t like citrus flavour which are common for human sports drinks and oral re-hydration products.
Chlorinated Water – Treated tap water often contains chlorine and other impurities which have a strong odour and taste dogs and cats dislike.
Vitamins – While they may be an important element of your pets diet, they are readily included in most diets. When in water vitamins often have a strong bitter taste which can have a negative effect on drinking.
Artificial preservatives and additives prolong shelf life, but often have a bitter taste pets dislike.
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