Experts say winter is a key time to make a change to a pet’s drinking habit
Dog owners have been issued a warning over an important habit. Experts say dogs may drink less this winter – and owners should be proactive in ensuing their furry four-legged friends are still drinking enough.
The reason this happens is because as temperatures drop, our pets lose less fluid and much like us humans, don’t feel the need to drink as much as they did in summer. It’s not just an issue the experts at Forthglade are talking about as Google searches for ‘dog dehydration’ are up 144% over the past month alone.
Brand ambassador and Media Vet, Dr James Greenwood, explained: “Throughout the colder months, it’s completely normal for dogs to drink less water. As temperatures drop, their bodies conserve moisture more efficiently.
“They pant less and don’t sweat as much, which means they lose far less fluid than in summer. Additionally, the sensation of thirst tends to feel less urgent in cooler weather, so they simply don’t feel the same need to drink. While this seasonal change is to be expected, dry air can affect your dog’s hydration, and water is important to support regulating their body temperature and keep their digestive system ticking along nicely.”
4 easy ways to encourage your dog to drink more water in winter
Offer room-temperature water
Despite a cold glass of water sounding extremely appealing to us, a dog may not feel the same way, especially in the winter. To encourage your dog to drink more water and avoid dehydration during the cold months, offer them lukewarm or room-temperature water to make it more inviting.
Swap to wet dog food
Wet dog food contains more water than dry dog food, which is a great alternative during the winter months when your dog isn’t feeling as thirsty. Wet dog food has a moisture content of 60-80%, compared to dry food, which contains just 3-12%, so by switching to wet food alone, your dog is naturally going to become more hydrated and not have to rely solely on drinking water.
Provide more water bowls
A simple, yet effective way to get your dog to drink more water is by providing more water bowls throughout the home. For many dogs, drinking water can be out of sight, out of mind. If they are settled comfortably in a favourite spot, they may not be motivated to go to another room to get their water, especially if they don’t feel thirsty. By providing additional water bowls in multiple locations, they may feel more inclined to take a drink.
Use play to make drinking water seem more fun
If you’re really struggling to get your dog to drink water, try introducing a pet water fountain as moving water can help stimulate your pup’s interest in drinking. Other alternatives include interactive water toys that can be filled with water and lick mats, which can help release endorphins while providing mental stimulation for your dog. However, if your dog shows a strong disinterest, and enrichment activities don’t help, the vets urge people to consider visiting their own vet to see if there’s something wrong and to get to the root cause.
Winter warning
That’s not the only temperature warning owners are being given. We recently reported that one vet issued a 4pm warning for pet owners to ‘stay alert’. The cautionary message came as it was revealed that due to it getting darker earlier, our pets are more at risk of having an accident on the roads. Around 80,000 dogs and 200,000 cats are killed by vehicles each year, according to the Blue Cross with owners being warned to take action now.
Owners are also being warned that their dogs should not be taken for walks when temperatures drop below specific level. Just like humans, every dog reacts differently to the icy conditions. Some dogs are better equipped to handle the cold, while others struggle with even a slight chill.
