Covering Everything You Need To Know About Pet Hydration And The Month-Long Holiday That Promotes It
Summer is in full swing! With the summer months comes the summer heat. For most people, the hot temperatures and sunny weather is welcomed. However, summer can be a rough time of year for dogs. Many dogs, especially breeds with thicker coats, are at risk of severe dehydration and heat stroke. That’s why the whole month of July is celebrated as National Pet Hydration Awareness Month. This article will discuss the importance of this pet-themed awareness based holiday and how you can keep your pets well hydrated this summer.
The Founders
This incredible month-long holiday is celebrated annually every July. The holiday was created in 2018 by PetSafe, the largest manufacturer of electronic pet training products in America. PetSafe also manufactures and sells a wide variety of other pet related products such as automatic feeders, pet water fountains, pet toys, leashes, harnesses, invisible fences, and more.
They created this holiday to help pet owners become more aware about the importance of water intake in pets. Considering July is typically one of the hottest months of the year, it’s no surprise that they choose July to encompass National Pet Hydration Month. PetSafe also sells a variety of products, such as pet water fountains, that help keep your pets well hydrated and happy.
How To Keep Your Pets Well Hydrated
Here at My Dog Walker & Pet Sitting, we have over 10 years of experience working with all sorts of pets and domesticated animals. You can say we are pet professionals! We want to share our pet wisdom and experience with responsible pet owners like you. Here are a few general tips you can use to keep your pets well hydrated this summer.
Routinely Refresh That Water Bowl
This may seem like common sense, but you should routinely change out your pet’s water bowls multiple times a day. Stagnant water can promote bacteria and germs which are not healthy for your pets. We suggest setting a timer on your phone to remind you to change out your pet’s water at least 2 to 3 times a day. Pets know fresh water when they see it and are more likely to drink if the water is fresh.
Multiple Water Bowls
Speaking of water bowls, it’s a good idea to have extra water bowls around the house. Giving your pets more options of places to drink from will promote good drinking habits and encourage them to stay well hydrated. If you place any water bowls outside, be sure to keep them in a shaded area. Water bowls left in direct sunlight can become too hot for your pets to drink.
Pet Water Fountain
Another great way to promote healthy drinking habits in your pets is to invest in a pet water fountain. A pet water fountain uses a motorized pump that constantly circulates water (usually through a filter) out of the bottom reservoir and into the top bowl. This provides your pets with constantly flowing, fresh, and aerated water. The reservoirs are usually fairly big, so you only need to refill them once or twice a day.
Frozen Treats
If you want to spoil your pets and keep them well hydrated at the same time, then try giving them some frozen treats. Most pets love treats, so this is a win-win for everyone. You can buy frozen dog and cat treats or make them at home. We suggest making your own as it’s more affordable and you know exactly what ingredients are in them.
To check out some D.I.Y. frozen dog treats, click here. To check out some D.I.Y. frozen cat treats, click here. Use these recipes as templates and tweak them to cater to your pets needs and tastes.
Wet Food, Fruit, And Vegetables
If your pet is fussy or stubborn about drinking enough water, then you can always try giving them food with moisture in it. Wet food (as the name implies) contains moisture. By eating wet food, your pet is intaking water without even realizing it! The same is true for fruits and vegetables as they also contain water. Keep in mind this only applies to dogs because cats are obligate carnivores. Always research what fruits and vegetables are safe for dogs to eat before giving them any.
For more information about what fruits and vegetables are safe for dogs to eat, click here.
A Holiday That Promotes Good Health
National Pet Hydration Awareness Month is all about promoting healthy drinking habits and keeping our pets safe. Be sure to spread the word about National Pet Hydration Awareness Month to your friends, family, and on social media. We hope you found the aforementioned information useful and that you and your pets have a fun & safe summer!