Introduction
Water is essential for your pet’s overall health. But many dogs and especially cats don’t drink enough, which can lead to dehydration and kidney issues.
In this article, we’ll cover:
✔️ How much water your pet needs daily
✔️ Signs of dehydration
✔️ Tips to encourage your pet to drink more water
1. How Much Water Does Your Pet Need?
🐕 Dogs: 50-100 ml per kg of body weight per day
🐈 Cats: 50-70 ml per kg of body weight per day
2. Signs Your Pet is Dehydrated
🚨 Dry nose and gums
🚨 Lethargy
🚨 Panting (dogs)
🚨 Sunken eyes
🚨 Loss of skin elasticity (gently pinch their skin; if it doesn’t return quickly, they’re dehydrated)
3. How to Encourage Your Pet to Drink More Water
💦 Keep water bowls clean and fresh – Change the water at least twice a day.
💦 Use multiple water stations – Place water bowls in different areas of your home.
💦 Try a pet fountain – Many cats prefer running water over still water.
💦 Flavor the water – Add a little bit of unsalted chicken broth to make it more appealing.
💦 Feed wet food – Wet cat or dog food contains more moisture than dry kibble.
Final Thoughts
Hydration is key to your pet’s health. Simple adjustments to their environment can help them drink more and stay healthy.