Summer is just around the corner and the hot weather will soon be here! Your local Lansdale dog walker will be out walking dogs in the heat and wanted to share some summer heat tips! It is very important for your dog to stay hydrated as he spends more time outside. Just like with humans, water is necessity. It keeps humans and animals healthy by helping digest food, lubricating joint,s and enabling all organs to function adequately. Without enough water, dehydration will occur which can cause health problems and even death.
Some of the most common symptoms of dehydration would be: little appetite, sunken eyeballs, pale gums, lethargic and skin that is slow to return to its place when gently pinched. If you notice these symptoms, take your dog to the Vet immediately!
Always keep your dog’s water bowl full with clean water. A dog needs ½ to 1 ounce of water for every pound of weight. But this will vary depending upon its activity level. Puppies, pregnant or nursing dogs, and senior dogs need more water. Also any dog with serious medical conditions, such as cancer or diabetes, will need extra water. If you feed your dog wet food, it will usually need less water than a dog eating only dry food. My dog is a 4 year old Pit Mix in great health. She drinks a ton of water because she exercises a lot. Monitor your dog’s bowl throughout the day to make sure the bowl is full of fresh water.
It doesn’t really matter if you fill your pup’s bowl with tap water, bottled water, or filtered water. Honestly – your pet will never know the difference! Its often best to use a stainless steel or ceramic bowl, as plastic bowls can be easily scratched and the scratches can breed bacteria. Clean the bowl frequently with dishsoap and always run your hand around the insides to get the gunk out. There is nothing more disgusting than realizing your precious pooch has been drinking water out of a nasty, dirty bowl!
Its been suggested that water fountains help entice dogs (and cats) to drink more. So if your pup doesnt drink much and is prone to dehydration, try a water fountain! They are a bit harder to clean, but water fountains continually circulate and filter the water. They often look pretty and have a nice soothing water trickle sound!
For more dog information from your Lansdale Dog Walking Service, follow us on Facebook!