Just like us, staying hydrated is essential to keep your fur-baby’s health and well-being. It’s even more important during hot summer months.
Keep an eye on water levels
It can be hard to know exactly how much water your pet is drinking, paying attention to how much has gone each time you refill their bowls can help. It can harder for cat parents, so you will need to be extra vigilant to see if they’re drinking enough.
All pets need more water during the hotter months of the year. So remember to always bring water with you when you take your dog for a walk, leave an extra bowl in your rabbit’s hutch and if your cat likes to venture outside, make sure to leave a bowl in your garden or on your terrace.
It’s also important to be mindful of the activity levels or your four-legged friends. Really active pets will drink more water than calmer pets and may need more water available.
Keeping your pet hydrated in hot days
- Have multiple water bowls of fresh water around the house to give your furry friend plenty opportunities to stay hydrated
- Some animals, particularly cats, prefer to drink running water, so automatic water fountains can stimulate them drink a bit more.
- Make them frozen treats! Ice cubes or frozen treats not only help keep them hydrated but also cool them down, great for really hot days.
- Consider wet food or add a little bit of water to their dry food. Including water in their meals or treats will also increase their daily intake and help keep them hydrated throughout the day.
- Giving you pet rabbits fresh vegetables that are rich in water also does the trick. But remember, only 15% of their daily food should be vegetables.
Watch out for these signs of dehydration
- Vomiting and/or diarrhoea
- Loss of energy
- Excessive, ongoing panting
- Loss of appetite
- Sunken, dry eyes
- Dry, sticky gums
- Loss of skin elasticity
- Urinating less frequently
If you have any concerns or worries always contact your vet for advice.
