What causes pet dehydration and what are the symptoms?
Bringing awareness about the importance of pet hydration thanks to Petmate®!
Since July is pet hydration awareness month I thought would be appropriate to talk about summer pet dehydration and how to make sure our cats and dogs are getting enough water to drink.
But why proper water intake to avoid dehydration this summer is so important for dogs and cats?
Keeping proper pet hydration is vital for good health. I am collaborating with Petmate®, helping to bring awareness about this critical topic. They were very kind in sending us a battery operated Fresh Flow Rain Fountain to try at home this summer.
This water fountain is great for indoors or the outdoors. Generates a constant flow of water circulating throughout with a shower of rainfall that draws pets’ interest and encourages them to drink water and helps avoid pet dehydration. Super cool right?
Why pet hydration is so important?
Same as us, our pets need to have enough hydration to avoid illnesses such as urinary tract infections, kidney disorders, cancer, and infectious diseases. Water is essential for all of us; no-one can live without drinking water!
Pet dehydration in elderly dogs, pregnant or nursing or those with diabetes, kidney disorders, and cancer is a serious problem. Some states like Florida have high temperatures during spring and summer. The hot weather contributes to dehydration too.
What are the symptoms of dehydration in dogs?
- Sunken eyes
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Dry mouth
- Depression
Dehydration in cats can be a severe too. We know cats can be picky. We have four kitties that have different personalities and preferences. For instance, Tatiana doesn’t drink water unless it is from a fountain or the faucet.
We have another cat that suffers from hairball and vomiting can cause pet dehydration too. Another that has a delicate stomach and suffers from diarrhea. Our cats do not have diabetes, but that illness can contribute to the loss of water due to excessive urination.
Aside from drinking enough water, wet food and broths are excellent complements to hydration!
What are the symptoms of dehydration in cats?
- Sunken eyes
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Dry mouth
- Depression
- Elevated heart rate
- Decreased skin elasticity
- Panting
As a rule of thumb, cats and dogs require one ounce of water per pound of body weight every day. If any of the above pet dehydration symptoms occur, visit your veterinarian immediately.
Your vet might administer intravenous fluids for fast recovery. But to avoid that visit to the vet, prevent pet dehydration by making sure your dogs and cats are drinking enough water, eating proper food and buying them the Petmate® Fresh Flow® Rain Fountain. It is fantastic and fun!
Just note this water fountain requires 4-D batteries and doesn’t stay connected all the time. For batteries installation, you will need a Phillips screwdriver to remove the screw on the bottom.
The fountain turns on every so often to keep water fresh thanks to the filter included thus saves on battery usage. In the beginning, my cats were not that interested, but after a few days, they fell in love with it. Bella, my sheltie dog, loves it since the start!
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When I was a kid I had 7 dogs and 4 cats. I remember during summer mum used to say about their dehydration. She used to keep an eye out for the symptoms, and These methods you have mentioned are exactly the what my mum used to follow.
That fountain looks really cool! I wonder if my pets would use it. We’ve had some of those perpetual water feeders and the bubbles freak them out, especially the cat. Hydration is SO important, especially in the summer!
Very good reminder when it’s so hot! I have indoor pets, but take them out for exercise and keep them hydrated. I didn’t think about the symptoms to watch for so ow I know!
That dog is so pretty!! We never had a dog growing up, but we had cats and we always left water out for them. We don’t have any pets right now, but are hoping to soon!! These are great tips!
Such an important topic every day of the year, but particularly in the hot weather. I’ve never had a fountain but the shelter had one where I volunteered and the cats loved it! I think because of that they drank more. I’m always careful to have water with me whenever I take Jack out, and when we take breaks I make sure he drinks.
I had a dog when I was little. This post reminds me those days. Thanks Adriana.
With our outside temperatures soaring into triple digits the past week or so, hydration has been a big focus for us in Texas–both for the pets and the humans! Thanks for the detailed post, especially the warning signs. That can very well save a pet’s life.
This is a really nice fountain. Hydration is super impawtant for pets all year round, but Summer can be difficult. We think our pets know when they need water & know enough to drink as needed, but they may not! I have to change their water bowls several times a day in Summer so the water doesn’t get gross, but a fountain would really help especially when we go out for many hours and leave them home. Icy drinks plenty but little Phoebe doesn’t always drink enough.
I did not hear about this before as I had not any pet… It is very nice product and definitely give a try whenever I have a pet.
My biggest fear when out and about is dehydration with Layla that is why I make sure we have lots of water for her, plus she now has the cooling vest which helps a lot. I also make sure when we are in dog parks that we are in the shade so she has that coolness too although LOL she always lies in the sun, BUT there is lots of water for her.
This is so important to remember for our furry friends. What a cool product!
This is really valuable information, my friends dog nearly died of dehydration while walking because of the heat last year and it was terrifying, poor thing had to have an IV and everything. Glad this info is being shared!
We are staying in Malta. The weather is very hot here so I do know what you are talking about. I often see that the cats are drinking from the pool. Malta is known for their cats. The island is full of them.
My city is extremely hot these days. The information you shared definitely help me with my Labrador.
Fresh water is so important year round for even pets. This would be so useful for my neighbors.
Awe this is a very informative and helpful post for those with pets. It’s been such a hot summer…so important to make sure they’re hydrated with all that fur!!
This is such an important post, we have been having very hot weather for us over here and it is definitely impacting on our animals so we have been changing water often and making sure they are cool as often as possible.
These are great tips. Every pet owner should be aware about this.
Though we do not have pets, I can very well appreciate how the summer must effect pets just like they do humans. Dehydration is definitely serious and measures need to be taken so that the pets are not afflicted. A very informative post indeed.
The collie is gorgeous. I don’t think that any living thing can survive without out. I hope that pet owners take hydration seriously.
We are having very hot weather here in the UK, so keeping our dogs hydrated is very important, this looks like a great idea and seems that it might entice pets to drink more. Great to know the signs to be aware of for dehydration too!
I’ve been hoping to find a battery operated fountain! There isn’t a convenient outlet where my dogs’ bowl is. I’ll have to add this to my wishlist.
Wow, these items look neat. My pets always get to spill their meal or even their drink. This one seems to be hassle free.
This is an excellent review! Hydration is SO important for our cats (and all pets) during the summer. I’m still getting my cats used to this fountain, but I love it.
I did know pets could get dehydrated. I love to go t o a park or public place that has doggie fountains. But it is better to have them drink fresh water at home.
Not a single thing can happen in the body without water. Water is what makes life possible. Without water there is no life.
I am constantly topping up or freshening up two large bowls of water for my crew. I like the idea that this filter system freshens the water. I also like that it’s battery operated and doesn’t have to remain plugged in. I don’t like leaving things plugged in.
Thank you for a great article. Water is so important and it’s so easy for our pets to get dehydrated. Does your beautiful dog enjoy drinking out of a fountain?
Hi Maureen thanks for joining the conversation. At the begining Bella my sheltie dog was not interested but after few days she started drinking from it. Both the cats and my dog drink from the same water bowl and sometimes you can see two kitties and a dog drinking at the same time. So yes she drinks from the fountain too.
Very helpful post. Yes, I can attest to the importance of hydration in cats. I remember when my cat Dusty (passed now) was showing signs of not being herself, she was vomiting and dehydrated. You are absolutely right about skin elasticity. Hydration is vital to help ensure proper function of the body’s kidneys and other organs. Something so simple like H2O is so very important for pets and humans.
We have several pet fountains throughout the house. Luckily, the girls like to drink from them. They each have their own preference. I saw this fountain and wondered how it worked. I may need to check it out since it’s battery operated. I know the importance of keeping the cats hydrated especially now that Truffle has had the bladder stones.
It has been one hot summer so I always make sure to bring a bottle of water for my pet when we are out in the sun.
Mr. N is normally pretty good about drinking water. I wonder if he’d drink more with a fountain though? I haven’t tried one yet with him.
Just discovered that heart meds can permanently keep your pet in a state of dehydration. Ugh. Have you found a fountain anywhere that is battery operated? I don’t have plugs anywhere convenient AND a puppy that loves wires.
I guess you did not realize this fountain being featured is battery operated. Thanks for stopping by.
This such a neat gadget, I love that they have pets in mind and making things easier for their owners. This will really help when you’re out of the house and need to make sure they get enough water