Being well-hydrated is essential for our pets to live healthy, happy lives. As they can’t always tell us when they’re thirsty, it’s up to us as pet parents to be diligent in monitoring our pets’ behaviors and anticipating their needs. Let’s take a look at the hydration needs of the average, healthy cat and dog as well as some tips on what to look out for.
How Much Water do Cats and Dogs Need to Stay Hydrated?
The daily water intake requirements of your cats and/or dogs will vary. There are a multitude of factors to consider when determining your pet’s hydration needs such as age, activity level, what they eat, and environmental factors (e.g. temperature, humidity…etc.) among others. However, below are some general rules regarding pet hydration.
A normal, healthy dog requires 1 fluid ounce of water per pound of bodyweight, per day.
A normal, healthy cat requires 5-10 fluid ounces of water per day. While cats do need water, their requirements are less than that of dogs.
Though hydration requirements vary from pet to pet, fresh water should always be made available for your pet to drink as needed.
The most accurate way to know your pet’s unique hydration requirements is to consult your cat or dog’s veterinarian.
Signs Your Pet May be Dehydrated
At-home routines help us and our pets to maintain good hydration maintenance habits: regularly cleaning and refilling water bowls, monitoring our pets’ behaviors, and identifying any behavior that is out of the ordinary. It’s irregular routines, unfamiliar places, and/or physical activities that require us to keep an even closer eye on our pets and look out for signs of dehydration. Below are some signs of dehydration to look for:
- Excessive panting
- Lethargic, low energy, slowed movement
- Dry nose, mouth, and gums
- Gums can appear pale or dark
- Eyes may look dull or sunken in
- Skin elasticity is reduced
- Saliva is sticky or rope like
- Urine can smell strong and be dark in color
If your pet is showing strong displays of any of these signs of dehydration, seek immediate veterinarian attention for your pet and offer small amounts of water to them in the meantime.
Pet Hydration Beyond Water
While fresh water should always be made available to your pet, there are other ways to support your cat or dog’s hydration.
Wet cat food and dog food formulas are a great way to be sure your pet is staying hydrated. The foods’ enticing flavors can help boost their hydration levels.
Pup-sicles! There are many recipes online that you can find to make creative popsicle treats for your dogs. A favorite of our is to use an unsalted and unseasoned broth (be sure to check ingredients) or water, blueberries, carrots, and pieces of our Rewards Minis or Jumpin’ Stix. Simply mix the ingredients together, pour the mixture into a freezer-safe mold and freeze. Voila!
Fruits and veggies (yes, dogs can eat certain fruits and veggies) can be an excellent way to increase your dog’s water consumption. For example, watermelon consists of 92% water and cucumbers are made of 96% water. Frozen blueberries and carrots can also be used to provide variety. While these fruits and veggies are safe for healthy dogs to eat, they should be given in moderation as a treat.
The Bottom-Line
It’s always crucial to have adequate amounts of fresh water available for your pets, regardless of the scenario. If you’re planning outdoor activities or traveling with your pets, plan ahead and review our tips on taking pets on adventures.
If you have questions, click here to connect with our Customer Care team – a team made up entirely of Registered Veterinary Technicians who are ready to help you!
Natural Balance does not have any partnership with the sources cited in this blog.
