Hydration: Important for You and For Your Pet

by Ramon M. Marketing Expert!

There is absolutely no substitute for water. Sure you can try other nutritional juices and drinks but the benefits offered by water cannot be equaled by anything. Without proper and constant hydration your body can’t function properly and you might feel its effects throughout the day. But did you know that hydration is not just important for you but your pets as well? Most pet owners concentrate on providing their pets with the best type of pet food with water being a secondary thought. This could turn out to be a huge mistake.

Cats and dogs need a lot of water to keep life threatening kidney problems at bay. But with pets you have to be very careful because they might start drinking water from contaminated sites if they are not satisfied with the quantity of water they are getting at home.

How Much Water is Adequate for Pets?

It completely depends on the type of pet you have and their weight & size. With dogs, you don’t really have to worry about their water intake. They will usually let you know if they are thirsty. Cats on the other hand, have to be handled with care. If they don’t find water at a previously designated place, then they will go without it. Your responsibility, as a pet owner is to provide them with a continuous supply of fresh and clean water. Refill their water tray as soon as it empties. Provide them with food and water at the same time. If you are still confused about the adequate water supply, then here is a chart you can use to make an educated guess.

Pets weighing less than 10 lbs. need about two large glasses of water per day
Pets weighing more than 10 lbs. but less than 20 lbs. need about three large glasses of water per day
Pets weighing more than 20 lbs. but less than 40 lbs. need about five large glasses of water per day
Pets weighing more than 40 lbs. but less than 80 lbs. need about eight large glasses of water per day

What are the Signs of Pet Dehydration?

Usually you can tell if the pet is dehydrated by sunken eyes, dry mouth, depression, lethargy, and loss of appetite. If you notice any of these signs or if you notice a sudden change of behavior then you need to take your pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible. The vet would be able to guide you better if they are well aware of the pet’s history.

A healthy pet is a happy pet, so make sure to make pet hydration your top priority. To make your pets even happier, you can buy them high quality pet toys and pet accessories. And the best place to get them is leading online pet supplies store ePet. Visit http://www.epet.hk/ for more information.