Dog Days of Summer

The summer weather is upon us, as is the importance of your dog having access to clean, fresh water. But how do you know how much water your dog should drink daily? Is tap water a good source of drinking water? What are the signs of dehydration, and what should you do? We should ask these questions to ensure our dogs have a healthy and safe summer!

How much water does your dog need?

Generally, healthy dogs need about ½-1 ounces of water per pound of body weight each day. So, a healthy 50-pound dog should drink about 25-50 ounces of clean water daily.

A dog that eats dry food will need more water than one that eats wet food, about 2.5 times the amount of dry food he eats.

In warm weather, your dog needs three to four times the amount he would normally drink. Ensure you don’t forget an outside water bowl – fill it regularly and keep it out of the sun.

Drinking will also prevent your dog from overheating during exercise. It is always best to bring water with you on your walks/runs or to the dog park.

Here are some ways to tell if your dog is drinking enough:

You observe your dog lapping several times a day from his water bowl, and the level goes down in the bowl over the day.

Your dog is probably drinking enough if he urinates several times a day when you take him out.

Your dog is active and doesn’t seem lethargic.

Clean sources of water

Does your dog drink tap water? Bottled water? Does he like to drink out of toilets, ponds, puddles, and lakes?

Water quality is just as crucial to your canine friend as it is to you. Giardia, a parasite that can live in your dog’s intestines, is one of the most common problems acquired through contaminated water (such as communal water bowls, ponds, puddles, and lakes). All untreated water can harbor bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

Household tap water is considered safe but may contain high nitrates, iron, or magnesium. You can ask your town to supply you with their annual water quality report to determine which chemicals are used in your water supply. Check with your veterinarian to see if any substances harm your dog.

Boiled or filtered water is one of the safest options for you and your pet. Filtered water will block out harmful chemicals in your tap water and any residue and sludge in the plumbing.

Note that softened water differs from filtered water and is not recommended for your dog. The salts used to soften the water may be harmful to them to drink.

But remember, clean water will not help your pet if placed in a dirty bowl. You must supply your pets with a fresh, clean bowl daily and replace their water at least once daily. You should keep your pets’ water bowls as clean as your glassware to prevent the growth of bacteria.

Is my dog dehydrated?

If you suspect your dog is dehydrated, immediately take him to a veterinarian. Dehydration can cause severe illness and lead to death.

Some way to determine if your dog is dehydrated is to lift the skin at the back of the neck and release it. If your dog is well hydrated, the skin will snap right back into place. Also, moist, slick gums indicate good hydration, while dull, sticky gums suggest dehydration.

Some other signs of dehydration are:

• Sunken eyes
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Dry mouth

(If you are unsure, a call or visit to your veterinarian is always recommended.)

Photo by Atanas Teodosiev on Unsplash