Pet Hydration by Sherri S . Cokefair , VMD , Calico Creek Vet Clinic
News You Can Use Recalls :
4
Pet Hydration by Sherri S . Cokefair , VMD , Calico Creek Vet Clinic
July is National Pet Hydration month . It ' s important to always keep your pets hydrated , but it ' s especially important on these hot summer days . Cats and dogs are not well-equipped for hot temperatures because they do not have sweat glands and they have to pant to stay cool . Because of this , dogs especially , require a lot of water and are quick to overheat .
Keeping your pet hydrated is important for their overall health . Did you know that about 80 % of your dog ' s body is made up of water ? Cats are about 60 % - 70 %, and humans are 55 % -60 % water . Water regulates body temperature , improves kidney function ( which flushes out toxins ), helps prevent UTI ' s , aids in digestion , and moves nutrients and oxygen through the body , just to list a few . Dogs need about 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight daily and cats need about 4 ounces per 5 pounds . Dogs that exercise a lot or spend time in the heat will require more water . Avoid exercising your dog in excessive heat .
Cats are more susceptible to dehydration than dogs because they have a low thirst drive . The ancestors of domestic cats lived in the desert , giving them the ability to survive on small amounts of water . Wild cats get hydration from the water content in prey they catch . Cats like drinking fresh , running water , and often prefer fountains instead of bowls . Feeding wet food helps keep cats hydrated because it has a high moisture content .
Unfortunately , most people don ' t realize their pet is dehydrated until it ' s really severe . There ' s a simple test you can do at home to determine if your pet is dehydrated , called the skin tent test . Just grab some loose skin ( near the back of the neck works well ), gently pull it completely up , let it go and see how many seconds it takes to go back into place . If it takes longer than one second to go back , your pet may be dehydrated . Also , check the gums to make sure they are wet , not dry or tacky . Common signs of dehydration are :
• Lethargy • No appetite • Panting • Dry looking , sunken eyes • Dry nose and gums • Thick saliva • Vomiting Ways to get your pets to drink more water :
• Always have fresh water available • Clean water bowls daily • Add flavor to the water with a small amount of chicken or beef broth • Add some water to dry kibble Use a water fountain • Place more than one water bowl in the home • Give dogs a small amount of ice cubes
Be familiar with your pet ' s normal drinking habits . If you notice him or her drinking more water than usual , contact your vet , as it could indicate a medical issue .
Pawsitively Pets -- July
Around The Hydrant :
News You Can Use Recalls :
Ark Naturals Company of Tampa , Florida : Recalling value packs of Ark Naturals Brushless Toothpaste , due to the inadvertent omission of a mold-inhibiting ingredient , which could shorten shelf life . Info : customerservice @ arknaturals . com . ( 5 / 19 / 23 )
Lazy Dog Cookie Company , Inc : Voluntary recalling a specific lot of its Pup-PIEs . The Pup- PIEs lot number being recalled is 022297 . If you have one of these products , you may return it to the store you purchased it from for a full refund . Info : info @ lazydogcookies . com . More info will be provdied regarding the recall once the voluntary removal of sale is completed . ( 5 / 5 / 23 )
Stratford Care USA , Inc : Recalling multiple brands of Omega-3 supplements due to potentially elevated levels of vitamin A , which can cause health problems and vitamin A toxicity if too much is ingested over a long period of time . The FDA recommends immediately discarding any remainder of this product in a way that no wildlife or other animals can get to it . Info : 877- 498-2002 . ( 3 / 13 / 23 )
Nestlé Purina PetCare Company : Expanding its voluntary recall of Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EL Elemental ( PPVD EL ) prescription dry dog food to two additional product lots , which precede the production dates of the previously recalled lots . Info : 1-800-345-5678 . ( 3 / 10 / 23 )
Source : dogfoodadvisor . com , amva . org
Calico Creek Veterinary Clinic
Dogs - Cats - Ferrets - Pocket Pets
Medical • Dental • Surgical
• Radiology
• Now offering Acupuncture for your Pets !
570-726-3045
We Accept Visa , MasterCard , Discover , Debit , Cash , and Personal Checks with Photo I . D .
2967 Eagle Valley Road , Rt . 150 , Mill Hall