For many people in the world, pets are not just animals – they are friends, confidant and part of the family. From letting them to sit on the couch to sleep right next to you, pets are just the best buddies that one could get. Pet owners spend a lot of time understanding their needs and getting them only the best. A very interesting news article appeared in The Huffington Post which states that, India has experienced double digit growth in its pet industry in last few years. Increasing awareness about pets and branded pet care products via internet is the major force behind this growth.
According to Euromonitor International, a global firm with specialization in market research, the domestic product market of pets in India is expected to grow at a rate of 10-15 % in coming few years. While the nutrition of pets are widely taken care of, what about drinking water? How much water should our pets consume? What kind of water should be given? Is it pure filtered water or tap water? What happens when the pets are deprived of water? This blog attempts to answer all of the questions that you may have about your pet’s health.
Table of Contents
Why Water For Dogs?
Water is important for your dog’s daily diet requirements. Water is one of the main components of keeps the cells of the body healthy. Without proper hydration, your dog’s body may not function properly. Water also helps in supplying important nutrients to the cells of the body. Water also helps in cooling down and maintaining the body temperature of your furry friend. In addition, water also provides moisture to the joints and eases movement. Considering these essential factors, it is necessary to ensure that you dog is drinking enough water. Here are some of the reasons your dog needs water:
Helps with their Sniffing Power
Many of us may be unaware of the fact that hydrating your dog also enhances their sniffing power. The reason is water keeps your dog’s nose moist which in turn helps in picking up even the slightest of scents in the surrounding areas. Hydrating also helps your dog to actively participate in sports and other activities.
Flushes Toxins
Another advantage of hydrating your dog is it helps in flushing the toxins from the body. When your dog is hydrated, it becomes easy to transport oxygen to the dehydrated cells and at the same time also clears the harmful toxins from the system. Without proper hydration, the toxins can harm the vital organs such heart and kidney of your dog.
Helps in Functioning Properly
Proper hydration also helps the metabolic process of your furry friend. Water also helps your dog digest food, breath in fresh oxygen and also pulse blood through their veins. As blood mostly consist of water, providing nutrients to the different parts of the body needs proper hydration. Water also helps in the proper functioning of your dog’s heart and kidneys.
Regulates Body Temperature
Dogs need sufficient water to regulate their body temperature. Besides drinking water from the bowl, dogs cool themselves by panting, which also implies that your dog is losing water through respiration. Dogs remain quite active during hot weather and as a result, you will also notice that the panting increases. However, increased panting also implies that your dog is losing water through the tongue.
Also Read: Common Mistakes Made While Drinking Water During Exercise
What Kind of Water Should We Give To The Pets
If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your dog, ensure that you give clean and safe filtered water. Dogs may also suffer from water-borne diseases, which is the reason why you should provide clean and filtered drinking water to your pooch. One of the authorities on pet care – Vet Info states that tap water is marginally accepted as a source of water for dogs but is generally not recommended. If you know the exact number of total dissolved solids in your tap water, you may choose to use it. Water containing less than 5000 parts per million of total dissolved solids is considered acceptable for pets. Tap water may pose other risks if it is high in iron, magnesium, or nitrates. All untreated water can harbour parasites, viruses, and bacteria.
Therefore your pets need purified and filtered drinking water in order to stay healthy.
Find here: Top 3 Water Purifiers In India
How Much Water Should a Dog Drink Per Day?
According to PetMD, to make sure that your dog always has enough water, you need to provide clean and safe water daily. Keep your dog’s bowl filled with water at all times and always refill with fresh, clean water daily.
As a rule of thumb, the quantity of water that your dog should drink depends on their size, age, activity level and weather conditions in the area. Dogs should drink approximately one ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. There are many factors that can affect how much your dog will drink, however. This is because water is lost due to excessive panting and salivation. If you notice that your dog has dry eyes or sticky gums, it indicates that your dog is dehydrated.
As we mentioned previously, your dog’s food also contains a small amount of moisture. Dogs that are fed a canned food diet will receive quite a bit more moisture as canned food is about 70-80% water. These dogs may drink less than dogs that eat a dry food diet on a daily basis.