July is Pet Hydration Month
With summer temps in the southern United States hovering in the high 80s to 90s, you need to ensure you are drinking at least the recommended 8 glasses a day. But what about your pets? As you hit the trails or keep your early morning jog in Charlotte’s sticky summer heat, do you know how much water your furry exercise partner needs? July is Pet Hydration Month and for good reason, since the increasing temperatures put added demands on your pets’ bodies. This is especially true if they are joining you in your outdoor activities. Here’s what you need to know about pet hydration:
How Much Water Does Your Pet Need?
Do you know how much water your pet needs each day? Perhaps you assumed that they drink as much as they need without any prodding and that daily water bowl refills are enough. It may surprise you to learn just how much water their bodies actually need. PetSafe explains that although humans bodies are made up of 55-60% water, your pet’s body is nearly 80% water. That means that their daily requirement per body size is considerably more than ours. The daily pet hydration needs per pound can be summed up as shown below:
- 10 pounds – 1 1/4 cups
- 20 pounds – 2 1/2 cups
- 40 pound – 5 cups
- 80 pounds – 10 cups
Therefore, if your furry pal is an average sized cat, they need at least one 8 ounce cup of water per day. And if you are the proud owner of a very large Golden Retriever or Labrador, you are looking at nearly 10 cups of water a day.
How can you ensure that your pet is indeed drinking enough water and how can you also encourage them to drink more?
How To Ensure Your Pet Is Drinking Enough?
Measure It – For starters, know how much water your pet’s water bowl can contain. This will give you an idea of how much they are drinking throughout the day. As you refill their bowl throughout the day, use an 8-ounce measuring cup and make tick marks on a notepad, chalkboard or dry erase board kept near to their feeding station.
Get Off to a Fresh Start – Begin every morning with emptying out old water and refilling with fresh. If the bowl is visibly dirty or there are bits of food floating in it, by all means, clean this out. Cats especially are very finicky feeders and love fresh, clean water. Mother Nature Network explains that cats will avoid drinking from stale water sources. They may even reject water if it is in close proximity to their food or too close to their litter box. If you find that they are being snobbish about a particular water bowl, note the material or size and change this up as they can be extremely sensitive to these small details.
You Can Lead a Dog to Water…
Chances are, if you lead your dog to water, he will drink. Dogs are innately people pleasing creatures, happy to go along with you whatever your schemes are. In the extreme heat of summer, remember that they need more water than usual to stay hydrated. Many parks these days have dog watering stations. But if you find yourself without this option, be prepared by bringing plenty of water for you and your pooch. A collapsible water bowl can fit compactly into your day pack and then be used at frequent intervals, like whenever you yourself take a break to refresh yourself.
Are you looking for reliable and qualified persons to care for and love your pets as much as you do in Charlotte and the surrounding areas? Little Friends Pet Sitting has been caring for pets and dog walking since 2010. “We pride ourselves on providing the highest level of service to our clients and their precious pets.” Find out more about our pet sitting and dog walking services we offer or contact us for more information.