Hydrate Your Pets

Dehydration is a lack of water in the body, and can cause serious complications for pets and people alike. Water is essential to all living beings, including dogs and cats, who depend on proper daily fluid intake to maintain appropriate health.

How Can I Prevent Dehydration?

• Provide clean water at all times, and change it frequently to ensure freshness. Also, don’t forget to wash your pet’s water bowl every day to prevent bacteria from forming.
• Monitor your pet’s water intake. Generally, animals need at least one ounce of water for each pound of body weight per day.
• Purchase a water bowl with a weighted bottom to prevent your pet from knocking it over.
• Bring extra water when you’re traveling or exercising with your pet.
• If you notice your pet is drinking less than usual, check his mouth for sores or other foreign objects, such as burrs or sticks.
• Some cats have a preference for running water. Therefore, investing in a water fountain designed for cats may be worthwhile.
• Some cats have sensitive whiskers and will prefer to drink from a wide, relatively shallow bowl that doesn’t rub his whiskers.
• Avoid chaining a dog outside, since he may get tangled up, preventing him from accessing his water bowl.
• Keep your toilet lid closed to interrupt your pet’s efforts to turn the bowl, which can be a source of bacteria, into a water fountain.

Source: http://pets.webmd.com