Is My Pet Drinking Enough Water?

Hydration is essential to your pet’s body’s ability to function properly and stay alive. During the summer, when the weather is warmer, hydration becomes even more essential as pets lose moisture when they pant and sweat to cool down. To avoid dehydration, heatstroke, and serious health problems that can occur as a result, you need to help your pet stay hydrated by drinking enough water each day.

How Much Water Does Your Pet Need?

  • Dogs, on average, need to drink 1 ounce of water for every 1 pound of body weight.
  • Cats, on average, need to drink 4 ounces of water for every 5 pounds of body weight.
Keep in mind that these numbers fluctuate based on your pet’s activity level and the weather. With increased activity and hotter weather, pets need to drink more water.
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How to Help Your Pet Stay Hydrated

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1. Provide Plenty of Water

The first point might seem obvious, but it’s so important that it needs to be included. The first step to keeping your pet hydrated is making sure that they have enough drinking water to get them through the day.

2. Try a Fountain

Pets enjoy drinking fresh water and a motorized water bowl with a pump and fountain helps keep your pet’s water from going stale or getting too warm.

3. Add Flavors

If your pet still doesn’t seem to be drinking enough water during the day, you can try to entice them by adding a flavor to it. Cats, especially, love a little bit of tuna juice mixed into their water dish. If you do this, just be sure not to leave it so long that it starts to grow bacteria and stink.

4. Add Ice Cubes

Dropping a few ice cubes into your pet’s water dish not only keeps the water cooler for longer, but it can also be fun for your pet to play with the floating ice.

5. Wash Their Water Bowl

In warm weather, bacteria grow more rapidly and pet bowls need to be cleaned more frequently. If your pet’s water dish is slimy, they likely won’t want to drink out of it.

Summer Pet Care With Signature Veterinary Services

To learn more about caring for your pet in the summer or to schedule an appointment with our mobile veterinarian in Carlsbad, California, we welcome you to contact us today.
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Is My Pet Prepared for an Emergency?

Natural disasters like wildfires, earthquakes, tsunamis, and hurricanes are, unfortunately, a fact of life for most people. Although we can’t always know when a disaster is going to strike, we can do our best to ensure both our human and animal family members are well prepared to evacuate or shelter safely in place during a disaster.

5 Steps to Prepare Your Pet for an Emergency

1. Make an Emergency Kit

Just like you keep emergency supplies on hand for the humans in your family, you should also have an emergency kit packed and ready to go for your pet. This kit should include everything your pet needs to survive during a disaster including items like:
  • Veterinary records (proof of vaccination and county pet registration)
  • Fresh food
  • Fresh water
  • Extra medications
  • Leash and harness
  • Pet carrier and/or crate
  • Pet first aid kit
  • Grooming items
  • Comfort items (toys, blanket, or bed)
  • A picture of you and your pet
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2. Have an Evacuation Plan

You should also have an evacuation plan ready in case you need to leave. When you have pets, this isn’t always as simple as driving to the next town and getting a hotel room. Make sure the place where you plan to stay welcomes pets or be sure you have safe accommodations elsewhere for your pet.

3. Microchips, Collars, and ID Tags

Pets commonly get lost during emergencies and evacuations. It’s essential your pet has a sturdy collar and current ID tags in addition to a microchip with your current contact information logged in the national database.

4. Use the Buddy System

Make sure you have a trusted friend or family member appointed to rescue your pet in the event you can’t get home when a disaster strikes. Be sure they know where to locate your pet’s emergency kit, as well.

5. Local Veterinary Hospitals

It’s also smart to keep a list of veterinary hospitals and boarding facilities in nearby towns where you might go if evacuation orders are in place. This can save precious time if your pet requires these services during an emergency.
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Emergency Preparedness for Pets With Signature Veterinary Services

Signature Veterinary Services brings all the veterinary care and services your pet needs to prepare for a disaster right to your doorstep. Our mobile veterinary clinic provides vaccinations, parasite prevention, microchips, and recommendations for emergency care. To learn more or schedule an appointment for your pet, we welcome you to contact our Carlsbad-based mobile veterinary clinic today.