CANINE WATER CONSUMPTION

By Monday, June 26, 2017 8 No tags Permalink

Proper amounts of canine water consumption is vital to your pet, especially during those hot and steamy summer days.

CANINE WATER CONSUMPTION

Charleston temperatures are in full “summer swing” which has forced major adjustments in our daily routine.

We walk much earlier and longer in the mornings and remain inside during the afternoon. My Boys have become #draculadoodles –  nocturnal creatures – playing ball at dusk most days.

I try to encourage both Harley and Jaxson to drink more water so they can remain hydrated, but I never really understood how much water is really enough for their individual size and weight.

HOW MUCH WATER? –

The amount of water your dog needs depends on several factors –

  • size
  • diet
  • age
  • activity level
  • season

From what I’ve read there is a “general rule” for healthy dogs – 1/2 to 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight each day.

Leaning towards the higher number, my calculations for 70 lb  Jaxson X 1 ounce = 70 ounces or close to 9 cups per day.

If my math is correct, I’m in big trouble, because I doubt seriously if Jaxson consumes that much water every day.

Pawhaps 3/4 ounce is closer to reality equaling approx. 6.5 cups of water each day.

DOES YOUR DOG KNOW WHAT’S ENOUGH? –

To be honest, I always thought (like humans) dogs instinctively knew how much water their bodies needed. As long as I kept clean, fresh water in the bowl at all times, I imagined they would drink precisely the amount they required. #mysimpleplan

Not always the case. While some dogs do, many dogs DON’T drink enough or they drink too much.

Dr. Karen Becker offers help for those Over or Under-Drinkers in this article.

A change in the amount of water consumption can also be an indicator of an underlying illness. Drastic shifts from their normal drinking habits may warrant a veterinarian visit to rule out certain serious conditions.

SLURPING GREEN SMOOTHIES –

If you follow us on FaceBook you already know about the Lowcountry Street Grocery bus that parks in my neighborhood every Thursday. Fresh fruits and veggies locally grown, and they love dogs!!!…

CANINE WATER CONSUMPTION

It’s inspired the Boys and I to share green smoothie concoctions several times a week.

Our go-to mid day treat full of nutrition is cold and refreshing, healthy, tasty, and good for all of us…

CANINE WATER CONSUMPTION

Right now we’re slurping on various combinations of –

  • apples
  • bananas
  • cucumber
  • baby spinach
  • pineapple
  • carrots
  • peaches

I am mindful not to “over-indulge” with their servings. No more than 1/2 cup each day for them…

CANINE WATER CONSUMPTION

The rest over ice for me…

CANINE WATER CONSUMPTION

Recipes for green smoothies are plentiful on the internet. Be mindful of your ingredients. Keep to those “safe” fruits and veggies that your dog can consume.

If you’re not sure about what fruits and veggies to share with your pet – the American Kennel Club has an excellent guide.

Hope you have a happy, healthy, hydrated summer!

CANINE WATER CONSUMPTION

We’re in a summer state of mind ❤️

8 Comments
  • Monika & Sam
    June 26, 2017

    It never occurred to me there are over-indulgers…wow! Thanks for a super information post.

    • Cathy Bennett
      June 26, 2017

      You are not alone. My mouth was wide open as I read about it.

  • claudette Pope
    June 26, 2017

    Thank you Cathy. Always such geeat info.

    • Cathy Bennett
      June 26, 2017

      You are so welcome Claudette. Learning and sharing – that’s me!

  • Emma
    June 27, 2017

    We all love to drink water. Mom is constantly filling our bowls all year long! Not sure if I would like the smoothie or not as I’m not a fan of veggies, but my sisters might enjoy one.

  • Shadow, and Ducky's Mom
    June 27, 2017

    Somehow green smoothies just do not appeal to me. They remind me of a scene in the later version of “The Thomas Crown Affair” where Renee Russo is drinking one and when asked by the police lieutenant what it is, her response is a simple “You DON’T want to know.”

    Having said that, this is a very informative post! Thanks for sharing your research with us! I often wonder if Ducky gets enough water because I rarely see her at the bowl. And she’s a quiet, dainty drinker so I wouldn’t necessarily hear her either. Kinda funny when you think about it because there is NOTHING else about Ducky that can be termed “dainty”. LOL.

    • Cathy Bennett
      July 4, 2017

      It is 98 degrees today so I purchased a watermelon early this morning. We’ll munch on that most of the day and night. I try to give them fruits and veggies that hold water too – get it in anyway I can.

  • Jan K
    June 30, 2017

    I think it’s hard to gauge whether or not the dogs are drinking enough water when they share a bowl. I see them there often enough, and have to fill it often enough, that I think they do OK.
    A smoothie sure couldn’t hurt though, and I think Luke would especially love it. I can’t wait until we have more fresh fruits and veggies available around here (that bus you have is so cool!).