How to Hydrate a Dog?

At DOOG, we highly focus on making your outdoor adventures more lively, active, and memorable, whether you are heading to spend a day at the beach, exploring a trail, or simply going for a stroll across the neighbourhood.

However, your perfect little adventure can soon take a dark turn if your dog is not in optimal health.

During such little adventures, they can feel overwhelming and dehydrating, and dehydration in your pup is not merely being thirsty but is a serious concern.

As dog hydration supports almost every function in your dog's body, it also maintains their temperature and helps them in the digestion of their food.

But the dogs rely entirely on their guardian to ensure the availability of fresh and accessible water, so make sure that your dog is not dehydrated.

Why Hydration Matters for Dogs

Hydration helps to regulate the body temperature in the dogs, especially in warm Australian weather. It also keeps their joints lubricated so that they can play, run, and explore their comfort zone with ease.

More than this, the hydration also supports digestion, assists the body in metabolising nutrients, and helps to flush out toxins and waste from the system.

Since more than half of a dog's body weight is made up of water, even small reductions in hydration levels can affect their energy, comfort, and overall health. A well-hydrated dog is more active, more alert, and better equipped to enjoy a full, healthy, and happy life.

How Much Water Does Your Dog Need

On average, dogs need around 20 to 40 millilitres of water per kilogram of body weight each day.

A small dog will only need a few hundred millilitres, while a larger dog might need close to a litre or more.

However, these calculations can vary depending on the weather, your dog's exercise level, or whether your dog's diet is mostly dry food.

Factors that Influence Water Needs

Foods that are rich in moisture naturally provide additional hydration, while kibble-fed dogs might need to drink more.

Puppies require limited, frequent access to water because they dehydrate faster than adult dogs, while senior dogs may drink less and therefore need closer monitoring.

Heat, humidity, long walks, beach trips, and play sessions all increase your dog's need for water. Illnesses that cause vomiting, diarrhea, or increased urination can also lead to rapid fluid loss.

Recognising Signs of Dehydration

Early Symptoms to Look For

Dogs usually can't tell if they are thirsty or not, so it's important to recognize the early signs of dehydration. 

Usually, when dogs are dehydrated, they exhibit low energy, have dry gums,  visible sunken eyes, and thick, sticky saliva.

Another common sign is that you will see a visible drop in appetite. Also, their panting might become more pronounced, especially after exercise or after spending time outdoors.

Performing a Hydration Check

A simple, effortless way to check a dog's hydration level is an elasticity test. You have to gently lift the skin at the back of your dog's neck.

If the skin takes longer than a second or two to return to its normal position, it means the dehydration is present. This test is not foolproof, but it can be a helpful early indicator.

When Dehydration Becomes Serious

If your dog shows multiple signs at once and is apparently weak, unsteady, or unusually lethargic, then you should seek veterinary care immediately.

Severe dehydration is a medical emergency and usually requires intravenous fluids to safely rehydrate the body.

Common Causes of Dehydration

There are a lot of reasons why dogs can become dehydrated, but the heat is one of the most frequent offenders, particularly in the warmer months in Australia.

It is not often that many dogs drink enough during the day unless prompted, and this can be detrimental during the summer.

There is a rapid loss of fluid by the gastrointestinal tract, such as vomiting or diarrhea. There are some health conditions that cause urination to be more frequent and make one more prone to dehydration, such as diabetes or kidney disease.

Panting can also be caused by excitement, stress, or heavy exercise, and this contributes to water needs.

How to Keep Your Dog Hydrated

Ensuring Access to Fresh Water at Home

Always give your dog fresh, clean water when it desires. Change the water every half a day so that it looks and smells good, and place bowls all around the house and even outside.

Dogs normally consume more when they have access to multiple locations to take a bowl as opposed to a single place.

Bringing Water on Every Walk and Adventure

Carry water with you everywhere you go. Dogs do not sweat as humans do; hence, keeping them hydrated keeps them safe.

DOOG fold-out bowls, bottles, and Walkie Belts will assist your dog in taking water breaks during walks, hikes, or on a beach trip. Do not give your pup salt water, puddles, or dirty lakes; those are sure to upset their stomach.

Adding Moisture to Meals

An easy way of enhancing hydration is to pour water over kibble. Allow 10-15 minutes to allow the food to soften, and the dog to be more interested in it. It is less likely to upset the stomach, stimulate the bladder, and tempt picky dogs even more.

Using Smoothies, Broths, and Frozen Treats

Helping hydration with the help of the treats is an entertaining choice, particularly with the dogs that do not drink a lot of water.

Make a smoothie with fruits that dogs can consume, such as watermelon, strawberries, or blueberries.

Freeze a cup of unsalted chicken stock and have your dog frolic. Puree freezes fruit or broth and freezes it in ice cubes to have a cool snack in the hot weather.

Encouraging Drinking with Water Fountains

Some pups love running water. A pet fountain is one that keeps the water flowing at a speed that is not too slow and stagnant, so that the water is tastier and they drink more.

Tap Water or Filtered Water?

Mostly in Australia, tap water is fine for dogs. When your water smells bad, is too hard, or has previously caused your dog tummy problems, use filtered water. Dogs tend to increase their consumption more when the water is fresh.

Conclusion

The easiest method of keeping your pup healthy and happy is by keeping them hydrated. All you need to do is keep fresh water on hand at all times, remind them when they are about to go out, rehydrate the dog, squirt a little water in their food, and keep an eye on any odd behavior, and then your dog will always be comfortable and healthy on a daily basis.

With the proper habits and the high-quality DOOG gear by your side, all your walks or excursions become safer, happier, and far more enjoyable for you and your best friend.