6 Ways To Keep Your Dog Hydrated

Summer is here. Dogs love this time of year: they get to sniff all sorts of grass, enjoy the sunshine, and run and play outside. However, the heat can be dangerous for Man’s Best Friend. Making sure your canine pal stays hydrated is very important in summer. Here, a Washington DC vet discusses keeping Fido properly hydrated.

First and foremost, make sure your furry friend always has plenty of fresh, clean water. If you have a yard for Fido to play in, put water stations outdoors as well. (Tip: put water bowls in plant urns to make them look nice.) Clean your dog’s bowls daily to prevent germs and dirt from building up.

Why not get Fido an automated waterer, or a pet fountain? You can also get outdoor fountains that attach to hoses. Some of these shoot water into the air when dogs step on them. This can be really fun for your canine buddy!

While you don’t want to give your pooch too much ice, he may enjoy chewing on one or two cubes. You can also freeze sodium-free broth in ice cube trays for Fido!

When picking snacks for your pup, choose things that have a high moisture content. Doggy ice cream, which you can find in many pet stores, is one good option. You can also give your pooch some chilled sodium-free broth. Or, make pupsicles by pouring water over bits of kibble, chew sticks, or dog biscuits. Divide into small portions and freeze overnight. Voila!

One choice all dog owners must make is whether to offer their pups wet food, dry food, or both. There are pros and cons to each of these. However, one good thing about canned food is that it does have a higher moisture content than kibble. Ask your vet for advice.

Summer is a great time for having fun with your canine companion. Whenever you take Fido off your property, bring water along for him. You may want to get collapsible plastic dishes, which you can fold up and put in your wallet. Another option is to get a doggy water bottle with an attached dispenser.

As your local Washington DC vet clinic, we are dedicated to offering great care. Please contact us if we can ever be of assistance.