Hydration Matters

Why Your Pet May Still Be Dehydrated (Even with a Full Water Bowl) 

Hydration is probably one of the aspects of feeding pets that is the most neglected by pet parents. Leaving a bowl of fresh water available should be enough to provide a good water intake, right? Because our pets will drink if they feel the need to, right? 

Oftentimes, it’s not that simple and there is much more at play here. There are many reasons why pets might not be properly hydrated even though they have access to fresh water at all times. 

Some pets, cats in particular, are picky and want their water to be cool, fresh, and clean, and ideally, moving. They have a strong survival instinct, and a bowl of seemingly stagnant water in a stainless steel bowl, is sometimes viewed as a cleverly disguised death trap! Many domestic cats suffer from chronic dehydration. If your cat rushes to the sink when water if flowing, that’s your sign! 

Diet plays a huge part in proper hydration for our pets as well. When fed a dry kibble diet they simply are not able to drink enough water to compensate for the dry diet. Natural foods, meat and whole vegetables, are between 50% to 90% moisture, reducing the amount they need to drink, since a large portion of the water they need is coming from the food, itself. When we serve them a food that is at 8% moisture, it is very difficult to drink enough water during the rest of the day to provide the minimum amount to prevent dehydration.  

This brings me to another reason why pets might not drink enough water during a day: the water requirement increases drastically with their physical activity and the temperature. Summertime temperatures combined with a dry diet there is almost no chance that they could drink enough water even though they are given free and unlimited access to a full bowl. Large breed dogs that might prefer to spend their summer days lounging in the air conditioning, are prone to digestive upset from trying to rehydrate after intense exercise on those hot summer days. 

Less commonly known, anxiety and excitement can also reduce a pet’s water intake. These two emotional states can mask the dehydration signals that a pet might feel, signalling the brain to drink. It doesn’t need to be drastic, traumatic, or intense events that cause anxiety or excitement – it could be as simple as having a guest in the house, or while on a walk, or joining in on the running of afternoon errands. By not feeling any signs of dehydration, your pet won’t drink enough water to cover the requirements. 

Why is it so important that a pet drinks enough to stay properly hydrated? Dehydration isn’t just being thirsty. Water and moisture are crucial for proper bodily functions, and the lack of water can be the root cause of many other health issues like kidney stones and crystals, kidney disease, skin issues, digestive issues, seizures, heat injury, just to name a few!  

The great news is that hydrating your pet is one of the easiest things to do, no matter their diet – just add moisture to their bowl! Water, bone broth, a homemade fruit and veggie smoothie, or goat milk or whatever your pet loves - and just add to their raw or kibble bowl!  

The liquid with the most hydrating power – goat milk! Loaded with protein, carbohydrates, and electrolytes, and aids in muscle recovery and fluid retention. Big Country Raw makes several varieties of raw goat milk that are a great source of pro and postbiotics, that also effectively support your pet’s proper hydration. 

With these options, you’re sure to find one your pet loves: 

• Original – a raw, fermented goat milk with added probiotic cultures. 

• Vitality - with added cranberries and d-mannose for an extra urinary tract support. 

• Antioxidant - with blueberries and spirulina for strong antioxidant boost.  

• Immunity - with added carrot, ginger and curcumin, for a complete digestion and immune support. 

Big Country Raw makes it easy to ensure proper hydration for your pet is convenient and delicious. Add it to their bowl, offer as a mid-day treat, or freeze in to molds for a cooling mid-summer day treat.