Weekly Wednesday #1 Hydration

Welcome to the very first weekly Wednesday Pet charmer puppy talk and tips. 

Let's talk about hydration.

It is important to keep pets hydrated all year round. First what is dehydration? Webster defines it as an abnormal depletion of body fluids. Animal Behavior College gives a more comprehensive definition "dehydration is the loss of water and vital electrolytes such as sodium, chloride, and potassium necessary for survival." Cats and dogs are 70 to 80 percent water. Look at it this way a 50 pound animal requires 5 cups (40 ounces) of water daily. Reasonably so, water removes waste and unnatural substances. Water is the root of all biological processes such as the digestive and circulatory system. The more active your pets are, the more water they should have. Dehydration levels reaching more than 10% are life threatening.  
Here are some signs of dehydration, many if which are not obvious upon first sight. Fatigue, loss of appetite, constipation, dry mouth, depression, increase heart rate and sunken eyes.
To test for dehydration pinch the fold of skin at the nape of neck and release. (Also known as the skin "tent" test) If your pet is well hydrated the skin will fall back quickly.  For breeds with loose skin or older pets, carefully feel the gums, they should not feel sticky or dry.
Check out this informative video regarding our subject matter.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5fTtFzKteYc

***Remember to examine your pets often and seek the advice of a veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment.