Keep your pet hydrated!

During the summertime means taking your pet to parks and on vacation with the family. Making sure you keep them hydrated is very important. When traveling finding a watering hole for your pet may be chore. To make sure your animals are cool, healthy and drinking plenty of water during the sweltering heat here are a few wonderful tips for hydration:

Feed Pets More Wet Food - Incorporating some wet food into mealtime is one of the best ways to promote hydration. Adding water to either their dry kibble or can food for both cats and dogs can increase their water consumption.

Treat Pets to (Multitasking) Icy Treats - Icy treats are cooling, fun to eat and hydrating Dilute chicken broth with water and freeze it in ice-cube trays to give your pet an easy one-ingredient treat. Add ice cubes to you pets water bowl to encourage more slurping. Use the same trick for your cat but try subbing tasty tuna water or clam juice for the chicken broth.

Limit Outdoor Playtime - Limit your pet’s activity when it is hot and humid outside. Pets do not sweat. Do your walking and playtime early or late in the day. Be sure and provide plenty of rest stops and areas of shade for your fur baby. Bring water and a handy collapsible water bowl for breaks during this time.

Encourage Water Play - Playing in a pool, or around the hose or in a sprinkler tend to make the pet take in gulps of water. It also keeps them cool and is a great form of exercise.

Provide Plenty of Sources of Water - Cats love water recirculation fountains. They encourage your cat to drink more water. Cats also love a dripping faucet, toilet or glasses of water sitting around. Your dog also like the same thinks for getting their daily needs for water.

So, encourage water consumption by being creative. If you have questions about water consumption and your pet, please contact Dr. Norette L. Underwood of Trumann Animal Clinic at catdoc56@gmail.com.