Regardless of the seasons or fluctuations in the weather, keeping your pets hydrated throughout the day is a key part of their overall health. Just like humans, water forms the basis for many functions in your pet’s body . Your pet’s body is 65% moisture, and they aren’t designed to get the hydration they need solely from a bowl of water. To help keep your furry friend happy and hydrated from day to day, we’ve gathered together five simple tips to provide them with all the moisture they need—both at home and on the go.
Make sure water is always available!
This is the obvious one. Simply put, your pet should always have access to fresh water. If you leave the house for any period of time, it is important that your pet’s water dish is full, fresh, and easily accessible. You should clean out your pet’s water dish regularly to avoid any dirt or bacteria and be sure to leave a dish outside if your pet is getting some quality outdoor time.
Know how much water your pet needs!
As a guideline, your pet should be taking in approximately one ounce of water for every pound of body weight. Under this guideline, a 12-lb cat should be drinking around 12 ounces of water per day, while a 50-lb dog should be drinking approximately 50 ounces per day. Of course, keeping track of these specifics down to the ounce every single day isn’t really possible. However, if you understand the basic drinking needs of your pet, it will be much easier for you to recognize when/if they are not drinking enough for their body’s basic needs.
Provide a shady spot during playtime!
When the sun is out and the sky is clear, your pet is probably even more excited than usual to get outside for some running, jumping, zipping, and zooming. That being said, even when the weather is mild, more sunshine or more exercise means more water loss. The more your pet’s body heats up, the more moisture they will lose and therefore need to replace. When outside or active, make sure there is a cool, shady area for your pet to relax in during any downtime. This will help keep their body temperature down and prevent them from losing excessive moisture while romping around inside and outside.
Add some moisture to your current kibble!
Did you know that your pet’s body is designed to receive a great deal of its hydration from food, as opposed to just water? But, traditional kibble diets alone do not provide enough moisture for your pet’s daily needs.
Adding moisture to these daily meals using Primal Bone Broth or Goat Milk can be a simple and appetizing solution, as Goat Milk contains around 79% moisture, and Bone Broth contains up to 98%! Both of these Hydrators can be easily poured over any existing diet, or even served as a between-meal snack for a treat. What’s more, both bone broth and goat milk will add a host of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and healthy fats to your dog or cat’s daily routine.
Or, offer them a daily diet that’s naturally rich in moisture!
While adding moisture to dry kibble can go a long way in keeping your pet hydrated and healthy, a diet already high in moisture can permanently revolutionize your pet’s daily hydration, while also supporting their overall joint health and kidney function. All of Primal's balanced base formulas are around 75% moisture and provide biologically-appropriate nutrition for dogs and cats.