Summer is fast approaching, and it’s time to look forward to all those outdoor summer activities. If you have a furry friend, it is important to make sure you keep your dog hydrated during those summer months as well.
As much as dogs love being out in the sun, it isn’t always in their best interest. It is important to remember that our dogs have to stay hydrated just like we do when the weather heats up.
In this article, we will discuss some tips to keep your dog hydrated during the warm summer days.
Avoid the Hottest Times of the Day
When the weather starts to heat up, you are probably going to spend more time outdoors. This is great for your dog since this allows them to run around and get all that energy out.
But there are certain times of day when this is going to be less than ideal. On average, the hottest time of the day is somewhere between 10 PM to around 4 PM in the evening.
These are the times of day when the sun is going to be out and shining its brightest. This is also the time of day when your dog will be more likely to get overheated and dehydrated.
Because it is difficult to understand how your dog is feeling, you need to take certain precautionary measures. It is best to plan outdoor outings in the early morning or evening during the hottest days.
Your dog still gets their playtime outside, but they won’t be overly active when the heat is at its worst.
Try Cooler Outdoor Activities
When the weather starts to heat up, everyone flocks outside to enjoy the sun and warmth. If you have a bunch of outdoor activities planned with your dog, you want to be very careful.
There are certain activities that are better than others when it comes to keeping your dog hydrated. You want to make sure your dog isn’t overheating as they are playing and running around.
But it is also important to make sure they are hydrated since this is a little harder to spot. Instead of going for a walk on the hot pavement, why not buy a kiddie pool for your dog to play in?
Any kind of water activity is great since it encourages them to drink as they play and stay cool. You can still enjoy activities like walking and hiking, just do those activities during the day when it is cooler.
Make sure you also bring plenty of water with you and give it to your dog every 30 minutes to an hour when you are outside. You could also prioritize finding dog parks that have a lot of shade.
Limit Dry Food and Treats
You may not realize this, but a lot of dog food tends to be quite dehydrating. Dry dog food has very little water content, and it may even contain filler ingredients that encourage dehydration.
Ingredients like cornmeal and gluten tend to soak up moisture, resulting in your dog needing more water. They also need to drink plenty of water to make up for the dryness of the food in their diet.
That is why it may be a good idea to see if your dog will eat wet food. Some people even have luck creating a soupy concoction by adding water to their dog’s dry kibble.
Another thing you need to consider is the kind of treats your dog is eating. A lot of common dog bone treats tend to be very dry and suck the moisture from your dog’s mouth.
It is better to buy high-quality treats made with pure ingredients that provide nutritional value. For instance, the grain-free CBD Bacon Soft-Baked Treats from Doggie Beer Bones are packed with omega fatty acids, vitamins and minerals made with canine-healthy ingredients like ocean fishmeal, pumpkin, carrots.
Even though your dog eats treats less than they do food, this is still important to consider. This way, your dog can enjoy treats without it negatively impacting their ability to stay hydrated during summer.
Encourage Your Dog to Drink More Water
During the summer heat, you want to make sure your dog is drinking plenty of water throughout the day. The good thing is that the majority of dogs enjoy drinking water and don’t need to be encouraged too much.
But there are some ways that you can help your dog remember to drink more throughout the day. Maybe your dog prefers a very clean bowl, or they want it filled to the tippy top all day long.
If your dog is a fan of ice cubes, you could even throw a few of those into their water bowl. Or you could give them ice cubes throughout the day as a crunchy treat and a healthy dose of refreshing water.
The majority of small dogs should be drinking 1 to 2 cups of water each day. This amount of water will get higher and higher depending on how much your dog weighs.
If you are worried about how much water your dog should be drinking, you can always discuss this with their vet.
Make a Dog Smoothie
There are all kinds of ways you can get creative when it comes to keeping your dog hydrated. One example is whipping up a dog-friendly smoothie that contains plenty of water.
Dogs can eat a lot of ingredients that we humans add to our smoothies, making this simple to create. Dogs enjoy a wide variety of fruits and can even eat unsweetened yogurt as long as it has minimal additives.
You could even add some soft baked dog treats into the smoothie to make it more nutritious. After you have blended the smoothie with plenty of water, you can pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze until solid.
You can give these ice cubes to your dog as a hydrating treat, or they can drink their smoothie as it is right after you make it. Just be very careful that you are only using dog-friendly ingredients and keep the smoothies very minimal.
Too many human ingredients can upset their stomach, even if they are technically safe for dogs.
Keep Them Calm
It is no secret to dog owners that dogs tend to run a bit hot. This can happen because dogs are very energetic creatures and can become overstimulated depending on the situation.
If your dog is very energetic or has an anxious personality, they may have a tendency to get stressed out. This can lead to them overheating as they are panting to cope with these feelings.
When this happens, dogs can quickly become dehydrated, especially as they may not feel like drinking water. That is why it is so important to keep your dog calm during summer to avoid excess panting.
Some of the best ways to keep your dog calm is with CBD dog treats. This is a very gentle treatment that comes in a variety of delicious forms, like CBD Peanut Butter for dogs.
In most cases, this is much better than trying to medicate your dog for general stress and anxiety.
How to Keep Your Dog Hydrated: Signs Your Dog Is Dehydrated
Are you worried that your dog is going to become dehydrated during the summer? This is a very understandable fear since dogs can’t necessarily tell us when they are feeling unwell.
Here are some signs to look out for so that you will be able to recognize when your dog is becoming dehydrated.
Lethargy
The majority of dogs are very energetic and excitable. If you notice that your dog is becoming lethargic, this could be a sign that they are not feeling well.
This is especially concerning if they are outside or doing something that is strenuous. This can happen from dehydration since dogs need water to fuel their muscles and joints.
Pale Gums
When it comes to dogs, you can’t necessarily check their complexion to see if they are unwell. Humans tend to turn visibly pale when we are feeling sick, dogs will get very pale gums for the same reason.
If they are very dehydrated, their gums will become dry, pale, and sometimes even a bit sticky. Normally their gums should be moist and pink with plenty of thin and slippery saliva.
Loss of Appetite
Every dog owner knows that dogs are like an animal trash can since they will eat just about anything, no matter how much they have already eaten. So if you notice that your dog doesn’t want to eat anything, this is a serious sign to take note of.
If they are dehydrated, they may not feel like eating if they feel fatigued. Your dog may not even be interested in drinking any water if they are feeling particularly unwell.
If you notice any of these symptoms, you should immediately seek vet care and get your dog out of the heat. Avoid cooling them down too quickly, as this can shock their body.
Remember that it’s just important for your dog to stay hydrated as it is for you during summer!
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