Puppy & Dog Hydration Guide for Summer!
Puppy / Dog Hydration Guide and Tips for Adding Water to Their Food and Checking Hydration Levels
Puppies require proper hydration to maintain their health and well-being. One way to ensure they stay hydrated is by incorporating water into their food. By adding water to their dry and wet food, you can help keep them hydrated throughout the day.
This is especially important when it comes to canned food, as it typically contains less moisture than dry food. Adding water to canned food helps increase the moisture content, making it easier for puppies to consume and digest. Not only does adding water to your puppy’s food help with hydration, it also has other benefits. For example, it can help prevent urinary tract infections and promote healthy kidney function.
To check if your puppy is hydrated, you can perform a simple test called the “skin turgor test.” This involves gently pinching and lifting the skin between the shoulder blades and then releasing it. If your puppy is well-hydrated, the skin should quickly return to its normal position. If your puppy is dehydrated, the skin will remain “tented” or take longer to return to its normal position.
Adding water to your puppy’s food is a great way to ensure they stay hydrated.
Signs of Dehydration in Dogs – This may include excessive panting, dry nose and gums, sunken eyes, loss of skin elasticity, lethargy, and thick saliva.
Additionally, it is important to note that special consideration should be given to maintaining proper hydration in working canines(EB, V. et al., 2016). They may require extra water intake due to increased physical activity and the potential for higher fecal scores.
References
EB, V. et al. (2016) Effects of Air Travel Stress on the Canine Microbiome: A Pilot Study. Available at: https://scite.ai/reports/10.19070/2332-2748-1600028
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