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Many
loving, good-hearted pet owners spend a lot of time and energy
making sure their pet has a healthy diet—considering brands,
comparing labels, debating moist-versus-dry, and consulting their
veterinarian. In all the hubbub, they sometimes forget that an
ever-present bowl of clean water may be the most important part of
their pet’s diet.
 Why
is it important?
In pets, as in people, water makes up the majority of the
body—about 80 percent. By allowing substances to dissolve and be
carried through the body, it provides a basis for nearly all of
the processes and chemical reactions that keep the body running,
including digestion and circulation. It helps the body to filter
out waste, and it regulates body temperature through evaporation.
Dehydration—a lack of water in the body—can cause serious
problems, including kidney and heart damage.
Water evaporates faster than you
may realize, particularly on warm days.
What
should I do?
As vital as water is, it’s relatively easy to provide. Just make
sure your pet has a clean
bowl
(or bottle, in the case of some smaller animals) of fresh water at
all times. A general rule of thumb is that most animals should have
about 28 millilitres (or one fortieth of a litre) of water per pound
of body weight per day. A forty-pound dog needs about a litre of
water every day; a ten-pound cat needs about a quarter of a litre.
You don’t really need to spend time crunching the numbers,
though—most healthy animals that have access to clean water will
drink enough to keep them hydrated.
If
you’re worried that your pet isn’t drinking enough, or you see signs
of dehydration like depression, sunken eyes or dry gums, take your
little furry guy to the veterinarian. If your pet’s dehydrated, your
veterinarian can give him intravenous fluids and find out what
caused the problem.
Common pitfalls
Though water seems like a simple enough subject, a few common
problems can leave pets high and dry:
-
The
water bowl or water bottle needs cleaning every day. Bacteria
that you can’t see can grow in a bottle or bowl, giving the
water a funny taste and discouraging your pet from drinking.
Even worse, some kinds of bacteria can make animals sick.
Develop the habit of giving the bowl a quick scrub with dish
soap before you fill it in the morning.
-
Dogs
and cats that are left alone for long periods can easily knock
over their water bowls. Try buying a bowl with a wide, weighted
bottom. You may also want to leave more than one bowl around the
house: one in the bathroom, for example, and another in the
kitchen.
-
Water evaporates faster than you may realize, particularly on
warm days. Check water bowls a few times a day, especially in
the summer. If your pet’s outside on a very hot day, check the
water every hour.
-
You
may think you’re helping your pet out by setting out a big
bucket filled with water, but once the bucket’s half empty, he
may not be able to get to the water anymore. Cats and small dogs
could even fall in while drinking. Before you use a water
bucket, make sure your pet’s neck is long enough to allow him to
drink from the bottom of it.
-
Dogs
that are chained up can easily wind the chain around a tree, a
post, or even their own legs. With a tangled chain, they can’t
get to their water bowl. If you have to leave your pet chained
outdoors, check him often.
-
Lots
of dogs and cats see the toilet as a big water fountain. Keep
the toilet lid closed, because the bacteria in toilet water can
make animals sick—and, as with large buckets, cats and small
animals can fall in while drinking. Even the best of us can
forget to close the lid every once in a while, though, so don’t
use drop-in cleaners that release chemicals into the toilet
bowl. These chemicals may be toxic.
-
Some
exotic animals, particularly amphibians like frogs and
salamanders, can’t or won’t drink water from a bowl. These guys
need a drip watering system, which drips or sprays
temperature-controlled moisture into a cage for a few hours at a
time. To select the right watering system for your exotic pet,
consult your veterinarian.
-
Reptiles often need a long, shallow dish of water in their
cages. They use this water both to drink and to soak in, so it
needs to be checked several times a day for dirt or faecal
matter.
-
Just
like you, pets need more water when they’re exercising. If you
take your dog out for a long walk or run, bring along some water
for him. Most pet stores sell light, collapsible travel water
bowls that are easy to carry.
As long
as you keep an eye on your pet and make sure his water is fresh and
plentiful, you shouldn’t have a problem. If you have any concerns
about providing water for your pet, consult your veterinarian.
Source; www.healthypet.com |
