Water Quality and Dogs

As an avid dog owner – and I know you have all seen photos of the world famous Dataman Group Data Dogs – I am incredibly concerned about the Quality of Water my dogs drink….as well as how much.

IS YOUR DOG DRINKING ENOUGH WATER?

According to PetMD, as a rule of thumb, dogs should drink approximately one ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. There are many factors that can affect how much your dog will drink and it depends on the environmental temperature and the amount of exercise your dog performs during the day. Water is lost due to heat, as well as excessive panting and salivation.

Water works for dogs the same way it works for humans. Water carries important nutrients into and out of the cells of the body. It aids in the digestion of food and helps the body to absorb the nutrients. Water also serves to cool the body down and works to maintain a normal body temperature.

Water lubricates and cushions joints and makes movement easier. The spinal cord and other internal tissues are also cushioned by moisture and wastes are removed from the body through urination and bowel movements.

Basically every important body function requires water and without adequate supply, your dog can become ill quickly and become dehydrated. Organs will eventually become damaged with sustained water deficiency. If the deficiency lasts long enough, organs (such as kidneys, liver, etc.) will begin to shut down and death will soon follow.

CHECKING FOR DEHYDRATION

To check your dog for dehydration, pick up a fold of loose skin over the top of the shoulder blades, pull it up gently and release it. Watch for the skin to fall back into place. Under normal circumstances, the skin should quickly return to place without any hesitation. If dehydration is present, the skin will slowly return or may even stay up for a time before falling back into place.

Another place to look for dehydration is in an dog’s mouth. If the gums appear dry, sticky or pale, this is a sign of illness and dehydration. Dehydrated pets will also have dry, sunken eye balls and a dry nose and mouth.

WHAT ABOUT WATER QUALITY?

According to Dr. Ann Hohenhaus, a staff veterinarian at the Animal Medical Center in New York City, not all tap water is safe. She says “if you wouldn’t drink this water, you shouldn’t give this to your dogs”.

Affluent Empty Nesters with Dogs are a top market segment for those Water Quality Dealers who want to market to Dog Owners. This cohort treats their dogs as if they were their children. Money is no object to an affluent dog owners who wants to make their pet healthier and happier.

This blog post was originally published by Dataman Group Direct on June 7, 2018.