Guest article by PetSafe® Brand 

Spring is finally here and everyone is ready to enjoy the warm weather, including your four legged friends.  Taking a hike through the woods or a cross country road trip; keeping pets hydrated should always be a priority – but do you know the signs if your beloved pooch is dehydrated?

In a recent study conducted by PetSafe® Brand, it was revealed that 66 per cent of Canadians were unaware that lethargy or unusual lack of energy indicates dehydration in their pets. Astonishingly, eight per cent of those polled in the study did not recognize any of the signs of dehydration in pets.

Whether active or calm, pets need plenty of water to stay hydrated. This is especially important in hot weather, when your pet is unwell, or with senior pets. Dogs require between 600ml and 2,500ml of fluids depending on their size, as pet water requirements are approximately 70ml per kilogram of weight.

So how do you know if your pet needs some H2O? Common signs of dehydration are:

  • Sunken eyes
  • Decreased skin elasticity
  • Loss of appetite
  • Depression

To keep your dog perfectly hydrated and healthy is very simple.  On top of identifying the signs of dehydration and ensuring your pet is consuming its proper daily intake of water, here are other tips to keeping your pet hydrated:

  1. Monitor the weather and exercise pets during the coolest parts of the day
  2. Maintain a fresh water supply
  3. Switch from dry food to wet food.  Dry food contains around 10% water, while wet food contains 75%.  Switching from one to the other can very quickly increase your pet’s intake of water.

Another option is to start using a pet drinking fountain. These replicate the running stream that pets so often choose to drink from while in the wild. Dogs may be happy drinking from a regular water bowl most of the time, but when they’re ill, a free-falling fountain can be a very helpful tool for encouraging them to drink. The important thing to remember is to encourage your pets to drink as much as possible. Look out for warning signs of dehydration, and be aware of changes in weather and age and how they might affect your pet’s water needs. To keep your pet hydrated this Spring and Summer, PetSafe® Brand offers several products to help Canadians keep their pets from feeling parched.

Drinkwell® Sedona Pet Fountain, $129.99: With its cutting-edge design and 3 litre water capacity, the Drinkwell®Sedona Pet Fountain is ideal for large or multiple pets. The clear bowl design not only minimizes spills and splashes but also provides a large drinking area for pets with large or flat faces. The sound of the falling water is whisper-quiet, making it easily approachable by apprehensive pets. It provides dual filtration including an activated carbon filter that removes bad tastes and odors, while a foam filter captures hair and debris. This fountain will keep your pets healthy and hydrated while adding an elegant touch to your home decor.

Drinkwell Pet Fountain

Drinkwell® 360 Plastic Pet Fountain, $79.99: Provides 3.8 litres of fresh, filtered water for your pet. Multiple free-falling streams of water entice your pet to drink more while continually aerating the water. A charcoal filter removes bad tastes and odours, giving your pet a fresh way to stay hydrated. The fountain’s multiple streams and circular design allow pets the freedom to drink from any angle.

Drinkwell® Outdoor Dog Fountain, $179.99: The largest capacity pet fountain from PetSafe® Brand, this fountain circulates fresh, filtered water for your pet. Ideal for large dogs or multi-pet homes, the patented free-falling stream of water encourages pets to drink more. Made with high-impact UV-resistant plastic, this durable fountain can be placed inside the home or outdoors when temperatures are hot.

The important thing to remember is to encourage your pets to drink as much as possible. Look out for warning signs of dehydration, and be aware of changes in weather and age and how they might affect your pet’s water needs.
PetSafe® Brand is a global pet product brand focused on bettering the lives of our pets. With warmer weather around the corner, PetSafe® Brand wants to educate Canadians on proper pet hydration and aims to instill best practices in pet owners to ensure their furry companions are consuming enough water during the hot and sunny seasons. For more Pet Fountain and hydration options, please visit:

http://store.intl.petsafe.net/en-ca/health-wellness/fountainsDrinkwell, outdoor    Editor’s note:  Views expressed are the contributor’s own.