July is Pet Hydration Awareness Month

July tends to be one of the hottest months of the year and in recognition of that fact, July has been designated as Pet Hydration Awareness Month.

Proper hydration is imperative  for  your pet.     Pets’ bodies are made up of more water than people’s bodies.

July is typically the start of the hot summer temperatures and in recognition of that July has been designated Pet Hydration Awareness Month. 

Our pets can become dehydrated quickly over the summer months and we don’t even realize it’s happening.    Hydration is as important for us as it is for our pets.  Our pets’ bodies are made up of 80% water which is more than a person’s water % which is typically around 50%-60%.      It’s imperative that we have fresh, clean water available for our pets 24/7/!

Signs of dehydration in pets:

. lethargy

. diarrhea

. sunken eyes

. loss of appetite

. excessive panting

. dry mouth

. decreased skin elasticity 

If your pet is seriously dehydrated, it can become an extremely critical issue if not resolved.   It has happened to two of my dogs due to medical problems.   Older dogs can become dehydrated more quickly than younger canines.     When my husband and I were taking our 12-year-old male, docile poodle to the veterinarian for a regular check=up, Buddy wasn’t very responsive upon arrival.     My husband went inside to tell the staff about our dog who was now laying limp in my arms.

The vet came outside immediately and performed the skin test and said he was dehydrated.    We hadn’t noticed any changes in Buddy’s drinking habits but he started to suffer from multiple health ailments.    Buddy received IV fluids and was kept overnight.    He was so much better when we returned the next day!   Although we weren’t aware he was dehydrated, we always made sure he drank.

Then there was my sweetheart male, black poodle who was undergoing chemotherapy for oral melanoma.   The chemo was particularly hard on him.   He nearly died as his kidneys started to crash.   He was severely dehydrated which required him to stay in the animal hospital for days while he received around-the-clock fluids.    We were there visiting him every day encouraging him to recover.    I know the oncologist didn’t believe he’d survive but he proved he wanted to live!

The doc said it was because of us that he pulled through.    Never underestimate the power of love!     From that point on, we had to give fluids to Jazz on a regular basis.   I held and comforted a nervousJazz as my husband inserted needles into his back.    This wasn’t easy on any of us but after several times,  all three of us became pros especially Jazz.     He no longer flinched when he knew it was time to get the fluids.   I was so proud of him.

These aren’t your normal dehydration episodes but we, as pet parents, have to be aware that sickness can affect your pet’s water intake.   With the summer months here, we have to check our pets’ water intake.

Pet Hydration Tips

Make sure your pet has access to fresh, clean water 24/7.    If your pet is outdoors for any length of time, have water available outside as well.   (I have bowls of clean water around my house for my active four-year-old terrier mix including outside as well.) 

Add broth or water to dog food.    You can also add broth to water to give it flavor. 

Ice cubes can added to their water to keep it cold.  

Be sure to clean out their water bowls on a frequent basis especially outdoor bowls which can get parasites and mold.   

Take water on trips when you take your dogs.   There are collapsible bowls that easily fit into your car/truck/van.   

Remember, dogs don’t sweat.   They pant.    

Tina Evangelista-Eppenstein is a television talk show host, speaker, writer, and an unabashed animal advocate. Her love for animals and quest for the hard truth is what drives her passion for all things animals. She hosts the television show, “A Close Up Look at Animal Welfare Issues.” She adores her tripawd, Brody, who was a formerly abused pup who lost his leg because of cruelty inflicted upon him. If you’d like Tina to talk to your group or have a story, please email her at tevangelistaepp@yahoo.com. Like https:www.facebook.com/ACloseUpLookatAnimalWelfareIssues and be sure to check out AnimalWelfareIssues.com.