July is designated as
National Pet Hydration Awareness Month, as generally, it’s the hottest month of
the year across the States, with soaring temperatures and no relief in sight
anytime soon.
Despite the fact that
pet parents are aware that their pet’s body contains a higher percentage of
water than their own human body, they often turn a blind eye to the importance
of hydration in pets. Moreover, surprisingly, dehydration in pets is one of the
most common causes of vet visits in our country during the summer.
Therefore, for a good reason, during this National Pet Hydration Awareness Month, let’s talk about crucial topics like keeping your pets hydrated and preventing dehydration to save them from suffering from the serious consequences of hotter temperatures.
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Keeping Your Pets Hydrated:
Water helps in maintaining the internal environment of our body and to flush the toxins out of the body. Therefore, it is important to make sure that your cat or dog (or ferret or horse) is staying hydrated as the body demands more water during these hot summer days. So how would you assure that your pet is well-hydrated?
Here Are a Few Things You Can Do:
- Make sure that freshwater is available
for them at all times. - Keep multiple water bowls in the house
for easy accessibility of water. - You can also keep a water fountain for
pets to entice them to drink more often, as our pets love running water. - Try to increase the water content in
their meals to increase daily water intake. - Give them ice cubes to chew. Pets love
them. - You can also make pupsicles by
freezing small cut pieces of fruit with water or fruit juice. - Carry water bottles and water bowls
with you while you are traveling with them.
Watch Out for Signs of Dehydration:
To
circumvent dehydration and its repercussions, it is essential to be aware of
the signs of dehydration. The following are the signs to be careful of:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Dry Nose
- Dry and sticky gums
- Thickened saliva
- Sunken eyes
- Decreased skin elasticity
- Loss of appetite
- Excessive Panting
Do You Think Your Pet is Dehydrated? Here’s What You Can Do:
It
is possible that your pet exhibits symptoms of dehydration, even when you take the
best measures to keep them hydrated. If you notice any of the above symptoms,
don’t panic and follow some simple steps as mentioned below:
1. Provide Freshwater:
If
you gauge that your pet is suffering from dehydration, provide them with fresh,
clean water immediately to revive their water levels.
2. Monitor Your Pet’s Water Intake:
Leaving
a few bowls of water around the house isn’t enough. You need to keep a close
eye on their water intake by constantly checking if they are finishing those
bowls at an optimum pace or not. If you notice that they are not drinking
enough water in a day, it’s time to change your strategies.
3. Perform The Skin Test:
Grab
a loose fold of skin on the back of the neck or in between the shoulder blades
gently and then release it. If the skin snaps back immediately, your pet should
be alright. If it takes time to return back to the place, your pet might be
suffering from dehydration and may need clinical help.
4. Seek Veterinary Advice:
Over and above all, if you find out that your pet could be suffering from dehydration, it is always better to see your vet immediately, as dehydration can also lead to potentially life-threatening medical emergencies if not treated on time.
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The Final Word:
With
the high temperatures that we have been experiencing currently, it’s more
important than ever to keep a watchful eye on your pet’s hydration. Plus, your
beloved pets depend on you for access to fresh drinking water so it is your responsibility
to provide that for them.
During this National Pet Hydration Awareness Month, we are working hard to get the word out to pet parents that they should be vigilant about their pets’ water intake and restrict their exposure to severe temperatures, especially as it the warmest month of the year in the United States. Will you help us with this by sharing this article with your friends?