Pets: Drink More Water!
Like humans, pets need to drink plenty of water in the summertime to avoid heat stroke and other health complications. Pets are wearing a fur coat year-round; and while pet owners can have pets shaved to cool them down, it will not help them avoid the sun's rays against sunburns and heat exhaustion.
Know the signs of heat stroke in dogs:
- Panting.
- Dehydration.
- Excessive drooling (ptyalism)
- Increased body temperature - above 103° F (39° C)
- Reddened gums and moist tissues of the body.
- Production of only small amounts of urine or no urine.
- Sudden (acute) kidney failure.
- Rapid heart rate.
'As a base reference, he said cats should have 3 to 5 ounces of water per 5 pounds of their body weight each day. And according to Travis Arndt, director of Animal Medical Center of Mid-America for the Humane Society of Missouri, dogs should have an ounce of water for every pound they weigh.' (Insider.com)
Drink plenty of water!
Here's how to get pets to drink plenty of water and stay cool this summer:
Water fountains are inviting to some pets, especially cats. Felines prefer to drink from running sources of water; so water fountains are great to be near. If using a water bowl, pay attention to your dog's actions. The dog may or may not like the dog bowl you are using.
'Some pets can be particular about the type of water bowl,' said Arndt. 'Try putting water in a ceramic, stainless steel, or glass dish and see if your pet has a preference.' While dogs generally will not care about using a specific type of water bowl for drinking, cats will prefer shallow dishes for their small tongues and lips.
Replace water at least once daily and add ice cubes to the water. Dogs love chewing on the ice and will help keep their mounts wet, thus keeping them cool.
Click here for more summer pet care tips from EasyPetFence.com; and keep dogs cool this season.