You know how important water is for your family’s health. But did you know it’s essential for your pets, too? Regular water intake offers many benefits beyond just preventing thirst and could even be the key to healthier furry friends.
Let’s take a closer look at the importance of hydration for dogs, cats, and the other animals in your life.
Water Helps Animals Regulate Their Temperature
Pets, especially dogs and cats, need water to keep their body at a healthy temperature. Dogs often pant to cool down. Panting works by exposing the dog’s damp tongue to the air, allowing fluids to evaporate and providing a cooling effect. Without regular water intake, dogs can’t pant properly and may overheat, which is very dangerous for their health.
Cats also pant and sweat in small amounts to cool themselves. Again, neither of these mechanisms works well without regular hydration.
Pet fact: Cats sweat through their paws, so damp paw prints can mean an overheated or stressed cat.
Water is Essential for Proper Pet Nutrition
Cat and dog hydration is about more than just slaking thirst and staying cool. Drinking regularly helps ensure your pet’s digestive system is functioning as it should. A hydrated animal can more easily absorb the nutrients in the food you give them. Without regular water intake, they may digest the food seemingly well, but they won’t benefit from micronutrients like vitamins and minerals.
Water also aids the production of digestive enzymes in the gut. These help break down foods, making them easier to digest. Many of the nutrients in food are water-soluble, so, again, without water, they are lost and simply pass through the digestive system.
Finally, without the right amount of water, your pet can’t go to the toilet comfortably. Constipation in dogs and cats can be very uncomfortable and, of course, your pet can’t exactly tell you what the problem is. If you notice your pet isn’t “going” as regularly as they used to, offer more water and consult your veterinarian.
Water Helps with Holistic Health
Hydration for dogs, cats, and even small animals can help them stay healthy and live longer by reducing the risk of chronic illness. Water acts as a natural lubricant around the body, helping reduce the impact on joints, muscles, and tendons.
This is particularly important in larger animals, such as big dogs, as they can develop conditions like arthritis in later years. Synovial fluid cushions joints during walking, running, and other movements, and water is an essential part of this fluid’s composition.
Water also helps prevent kidney stones and other urinary tract problems. Just like with constipation, urinary tract infections, and inflammation can be very painful and distressing for any animal. They’re also very hard to spot the symptoms of, so prevention via regular hydration is essential.
Drinking regularly also reduces the risk of inflammation caused by toxin buildup in your pet’s body. The kidneys and liver work via regular water intake, so keep your fur baby’s bowl topped up to give them a daily health boost.
Pet fact: Your dog can’t help making a mess when they drink, thanks to their large, floppy tongue! Consider putting a mat under their water bowl to help manage the splash.
Active Animals Need Hydration
An on-demand water supply is particularly important if you have a highly active pet. High-energy dogs that walk three times a day or cats that get the zoomies need access to water at all times. The same applies to small animals that are often very active, such as hamsters or gerbils that run on a wheel all day.
Remember to ensure your pet has a clean water bowl or dispenser, even in winter. Watch out for signs of dehydration, such as:
• Poor appetite
• Reduced skin quality
• Vomiting
• Fatigue or lethargy
• Dry nose (more noticeable in dogs)
• Constipation
• Dry or sticky tongue or gums
• Excessive panting
If these symptoms don’t go away after you provide water, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Did you know that regular hydration for dogs and cats results in a thicker coat and better skin? So giving them a little extra water can keep them looking their best.
For even more effective cat and dog hydration, consider upgrading your home’s water with a whole house filtration system. Utilizing advanced filtration technology, these home water filter systems eliminate numerous contaminants, making water safer and healthier for your entire family — including the furry, four-legged members.
As an added bonus, many whole house filtration systems protect your plumbing and extend the life of your home appliances by inhibiting scale buildup and targeting harmful contaminants.
If you’d like to know more about the benefits of filtered water for you and your pets, contact Brio Water.
