What do you do to make sure your pets stay hydrated during the summer? With the temperatures being warmer outside, we are trying hard to keep water throughout the house for both Reya and Ivi. Like most dogs, they play hard both indoors and outdoors, leading to lots of salivating and sweating (yes, some dogs and cats do sweat). While this is fun for all of us to watch, we also need to make sure that our dogs are getting enough water to keep their body regulated and prevent dehydration (just like us)!
Even though we all have the best of intentions, putting out a bowl of water and hoping our dogs get enough…really isn’t enough. We all know the typical rule of thumb to drink 8 – 8oz glasses of water of day, but is the same true for dogs? Actually, they need more water than we do! Humans are made of about 60% water, while dogs and cats are about 80% water. In other words, it is much easier for them to become dehydrated than us! As a general rule of thumb, dog and cats alike need 1 oz of water per pound of body weight. For example, Reya is 80lb, so she needs 80 oz of water a day.
Of course, things can get even trickier if dogs and cats don’t have access to clean, clear water. Unlike us, they have no problem drinking out of a faucet or toilet. While this may seem pretty gross to us, animals prefer running water, but will go for whatever they have easier access too. This can be the toilet, bathtub, or even that nasty rain puddle outside. Like us though, they do best when they have access to fresh, clean water. For this reason, we keep pet fountains throughout our house for the girls since it gives them constant access to filtered, running water that they absolutely LOVE!
To learn more about the important of hydration, check out the awesome infographic below, courtesy of PetSafe. Also, if you would like to see our recommendation for pet fountains, check out our review of the Drinkwell Pagoda Fountain and the latest addition to our house – the Drinkwell Multi-Pet Stainless Steel Fountain. Also, PetSafe has some fantastic pet hydration resources to help you learn more about the importance of water for both cats and dogs!
Disclosure: Budget Earth was given permission to post this infographic for educational purposes. We were in no way paid for this post and are sharing for the benefit of our readers. We did, however, receive fountains mentioned in this article for review purposes from PetSafe. All opinions, however, are honest and our own.
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About Susan Bewley
Susan Bewley is a professional writer who has been writing content online & in print format for over 10 years. As well, she is an alumni of the University of Louisville with a Masters Degree in Special Education. When not working as an online business consultant or ghost writing, she can be found writing on Budget Earth, on her own novel, or working with various entities in the pet industry.
Awesome information! A lot of people don’t think about their pet even being able to become dehydrated. I swear I fill up my cats’ water bowl at least 5 times a day. Our 10 month old kitten from the first litter is ALWAYS drinking water! And just in case the water bowl becomes dry, I usually leave the bathroom sink with a very small stream, enough for the cats to drink from, but not enough to flood the sink.
I had no idea that dogs need an ounce of water per pound. That would put my boxer boy at the 80 oz. mark too. He always has access to fresh and clean water but now I know why he likes to drink from the water hose so much. This is really a cool product too! Since we live in Florida and it’s terribly hot, I’ll for sure have to look into it. Thank-you for helping me to take better care of my dog!
My cat is always drinking out of the fish tank, but she never tries to mess with the fish. My vet said that cats love filtered water.
I have 5 Chihuahuas and 3 adult cats and they go through so much water every few days, but it’s hot in Texas! We all need lots of water to hydrate. Thanks for sharing this information.
I am amazed at how much I just learned from this post, Great post.
This post is very informative. I learned a lot. Everyone needs to stay hydrated , especially in the summer.
I always keep my dog’s water bowls filled and in the Summer I add ice to it! I usually pour bottled water in his bowl.
We have 5 water stations (one with a pump fountain, 4 bowls) in different places inside and out. Clean water every day (sometimes twice a day) and three pets.
I am here most of the time with my dog, and she refills once every two days. She has a rather large reservoir. She has more of an eating problem than a drinking problem.
My dog drinks a lot of water and he is only 45 lbs
Fresh water should always be available. If I had an animal, I would change it frequently if the bowl were outdoors. Who wants warm water with flies and debris in it.
I am always filling my dogs bowl with water all day!
We have to remember that dogs are like us as we get thirsty more in warm weather. Our 2 small dogs out inside only dogs.
There is never a dry bowl in this house for my 3 basset babies. Thanks for the post 🙂
I love that this bowl refreshes itself and has such a large reservoir.
The last dog we had was a big dog & he could drink a big tub of water a day, lol. In fact, I got rid of the ordinary drinking dish & replaced it with a big hard plastic tub (like a really big Tupperware type container!)
If I had a dog then I would definitely get something like that water fountain dish.
Our dogs get ice water every day and we refill it several times. She really seems to like it. I did not know that dogs needed more fluids than humans. Thank you for this great article
wow I didnt even realize all of this. I will have to make sure my kitties are hydrated!
I love the pet fountain!!! I would love to get something like that for our old gal! 🙂 We try to keep her cool and hydrated during the summer by keeping lots of fresh water in various places outside. She also had her own “kiddie pool!” She loves sloshing through it and getting her feet wet.
This is good info I didn’t know this
Great information! Thank You!
Awesome! Good to know info!
Our dog is an inside dog but goes out several times a day. We make sure his water bowl is filled at all times and when it’s hot he drinks a lot. So important to keep your dog hydrated just like we do.
Theses dogs are so cute
Very cool I had no idea that pets needed so much water and now I can make sure she gets it when it’s hot I always ut ice in her bowl with her water when she comes in from using the potty so she will have cool clean water, thank you so much
If the animal is outdoors all day and you have to work, maybe ask a neighbor to check on it every once in a while. And provide a dog house or shaded area.
Proper hydration is so important. It can really make our pets sick without enough water. Thank you so much for sharing
We have no pets but I will share this tip with our son.
my dog def drank more than the cat…but i try to leave water outside also when they are out there, not just inside…
I was not aware of these very important facts. Thanks so much for sharing! I keep my kitty’s water bowl full at all times. She likes to drink a lot of water!
It just makes sense. If you have an animal it has to be fed and watered daily. This is why I don’t keep one. I couldn’t even keep my house plants alive.
Thank you! I wasn’t sure how much my dog needed.
My animals always have access to clean, fresh water.
I worry about my furbabies getting adequate water. I keep four bowls (two in the kitchen and two in the main bathroom) filled in the house and two more on the back deck. With four Coonhounds and three cats, I’m constantly having to rinse them out and refill them, but it’s worth the effort to keep enough fresh water available for them.
I learned how much my cat is supposed to drink. Why has no vet ever told me that with any of my cats? I thought he drank a lot, but now I see it isn’t nearly enough.
I have to change our dogs anytime it 1/2 full.
I figure an animals will drink when it’s thirsty.Just have water available.
this would be awesome for my household would get used a lot
This is great info!
Both people and pets need to hydrate over the summer.
It is really important for your pet to stay hydrated. If your dog isn’t staying hydrated and then I recommend that you call a vet as soon as possible to address the issue before your pet becomes seriously ill.
You know the saying, you can lead a horse to water, same with pets. Unless they’re ill I suspect they’re smart enough to drink when they’re thirsty.
I have 2 dogs a german shepherd and a border terrier. I refresh their water bowl 4 times a day. I also take a bottled water and a collapsible water bowl when everr we go out.
It sounds like a good water dish. They need to drink especially when it’s hot out.
I give my pets fresh water everyday! Even when the bowl is not empty!
I think that’s a healthy invention, especially for those who love their animals. Their animals are their babies!
My cat would have loved this. I would have to turn the sink on for him so he could play in the water. He loved batting at it. Weird cat!
I always make sure my pets have enough water during the day and at night. This is a great invention for those who tend to forget or aren’t home a lot during the day.
A water bowl should never run dry. It just makes sense to keep the bowl topped off.
That’s a good water dish. My cat would have played in it for hours.
Very informational. I believe in keeping water available at all times so they can drink all they want. They know when they get thirsty and when they need to drink so it should be available all the time. I like the fountain idea and I just clicked on the hyperlink and checked out the video. The Drinkwell 360 Multi-Pet Stainless Steel Fountain would be perfect for this house with 2 cats and a dog. The cats especially like running water. Thanks for all the great info.
This is great information. I never knew they needed that much water.
Thanks for sharing! be sure to change the water reguarly and do not let pets drink from the toilet. Too much germs and fecal waste. When they lick your or your family you are at risk for norovirus and other serious illnesses.
We traveled overseas this summer and saw that many people would leave a bowl of water outside for their pets, or other peoples pets. Nice idea!
great to no because I have 4 cat’s.and it always seams like I’m butting more water in there bowl .
Absolutely. I give my cat water everyday.
I didn’t know exactly how much they needed per day but I learned the hard way that if you feed cats only dry food, you need to make sure you see them drink water. One of mine almost died from severe dehydration. it was so bad the vet asked me if she had access to the beach because her salt level was that high. They are now on wet and dry so they get more water in their diet.
This is a good product. I do believe that animals, unless they’re ill or don’t have a dish will drink what they need. They have been around for a long time before being domesticated.
Such a helpful and informative post! I knew dogs needed a lot of water, just never knew the actual amount 🙂
This was a really interesting post. I had no idea that animals needed that much water. We keep a huge bucket outside for our dogs. My husband changes it everyday so they will have fresh water. I see we need to do more. Thanks!
Proper hydration means a lot the the pups. I wish everyone would understand the physical aspects of having a dog, and tend to this important business.
Animals need water just like humans. I don’t have any pets but our son does
I have a water bowl set out for my cat but she prefers to drink the water that flows out of the fish tank and the water in the bowl never gets touched
thanks for the information.i learned alot.we always have bowls of fresh water for our dogs and cat