Most of us don’t exactly follow our cats and dogs around the house, logging each time they take a sip of water. It’s generally safe to assume that they’re drinking enough, right?
Most of the time, yes. But if you put out fresh water in the morning and then you’re gone all day, you might wonder how fast your pet is going through that water. Are they well hydrated and comfortable?
And occasionally, as we all know, some pets can get picky about their water. This often happens with cats, who can be finicky about the most random (and sometimes funny) things. At those times they might drink just the bare minimum.
How to tell if your pet is well hydrated.
Luckily, there are some basic clues that will tell you whether your pet is drinking enough water.
- They are active and playful, in accordance with what you would expect at their age
- Demeanor is perky and eyes are bright
- Skin is elastic (bounces back quickly if you pinch it at upper back-top of the shoulders)
- Fur is shiny and healthy
How much water should pets drink? If any of the above signs are not present, you might be wondering if your pet is drinking enough. Adult dogs should consume about one ounce of water per pound of weight, daily. Adult cats require between 5 and 10 ounces of water each day. However, they might drink less if you feed moist, canned food.
How to encourage your pet to drink more water. With either cats or dogs, switching to canned food can provide one solution. Dogs enjoy a bit of low sodium chicken or beef broth flavor added to their water.
Cats often seem to prefer moving water, so switching the bowl for a small pet fountain might do the trick. Otherwise, experiment with different bowls or even locations for the bowl. Cats can be funny about where they drink!
And of course, for both cats and dogs, make sure the water bowl stays clean. This will prevent any off-putting smells from bacterial growth.
If you have any other questions about your pet’s diet or health needs, give us a call. We should schedule a check-up to ensure that your cat or dog is happy and healthy.