How To Keep Your Dog Hydrated

8 Creative Ways To Keep Your Dog Hydrated

Dogs, like humans, need adequate water intake each day to stay healthy. Water regulates your dog’s body temperature, and aids digestion and waste removal. Your dog should take inĀ about 1 cup of water per 10 pounds of body weight.

Animals only drink water when they’re thirsty, and much of their water intake comes from their food.

But that doesn’t mean your dog will always drink enough water. On hot days, or when your dog is playing, they may need extra water, and they may or may not drink more. Some dogs get dehydrated when they are stressed, or distracted when they’re running around outdoors.

Encouraging your dog to stay hydrated will help prevent kidney problems, urinary tract infections, and other health issues.

Here’s how you can keep your dog hydrated, even if they don’t want to drink enough water:

1. Provide More Water Bowls.

Your dog may not drink enough water if there’s just one water bowl in your home. You should keep a bowl outside, though you’ll have to remove outdoor debris daily. You can also keep water bowls in your living room, bedroom, and anywhere else your dog hangs out.

2. Get A Doggy Drinking Fountain

Some dogs prefer standing water, others are tempted to drink from bubbling fountains. Drinking fountains contain filters that remove any taste or odor that may be preventing your dog from drinking enough.

3. Make A Doggy Smoothie

If you love making smoothies in the morning, you can make a little extra to share with your dog. Just make sure not to add any sugar, or other ingredients that are not safe for dogs. Dogs are typically lactose intolerant, but may be able to handle a small amount of yogurt; the probiotics are excellent for digestion. Green, leafy veggies like kale and spinach provide vitamins K, C and E, plus protein and calcium. Sweet fruits like strawberries, blueberries and apples are all good for dogs. Smoothies should be given in moderation, about 1 tablespoon per 5 pounds of body weight.

4. Add Water To Your Dog’s Food

You can add water to any type dog food: kibble, canned, or even homemade and commercial raw. You can soak kibble in water and keep it in your fridge for up to three days. Crunchy kibble does not actually clean your dog’s teeth – canine toothpaste, water additives and rope bones are better for that – so you shouldn’t avoid adding water for that reason.

5. Make Doggy Ice Pops

Some dogs aren’t interested in water, but love licking ice cubes. You can make iced treats by freezing blocks of water, or even mixing in a smoothie, low-sodium broth or other flavor additives before freezing. A silicone ice tray can make perfectly portioned ice treats.

6. Wash Water Bowls Daily

Some dogs will drink out of mud puddles, while others will avoid a slight murky bowl. Others are sensitive to the sound of their tags clanging on the stainless steel or ceramic.

7. Get A Bigger Dog Bowl

Your dog’s water bowl should be larger than their food bowl. It should be large enough to hold much more water than they typically drink each day, so it’s never empty. Instead of filling a dry bowl, you should be dumping it out and refilling it.

8. Offer Water From Your Hand

After a run at the park or dog beach, you might have trouble getting your dog to drink water, even if they’re panting and look like they could really use a drink. If they’re refusing to drink out of their travel bowl, your dog might lap up a small amount of water from your cupped hand.

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