More than Water
In fact, there is some debate about how much water your pet should drink every day. Some people say 1 ounce per pound of body weight, others say it depends on the kind of food they eat (for instance, our food packs are chock full of hydrating ingredients) or the amount of fur or fat your pet has. Generally, we don't suggest closely monitoring your pet's water intake or restricting/forcing your pet's water intake — simply keep an eye on their water intake. If you believe your pet is chronically dehydrated, if they seem ill, or are fatigued, you should speak with your vet. They'll help you check for any signs of concern, including dehydration (a few signs include the elasticity of their skin and their gums. Gently pull at the skin of your dog's neck, if the skin returns to normal slowly and forms a “tent” (skin fold), then they are dehydrated. If their guns are dry and rubbery, they need to drink more water).
If you're not very concerned but think your pet could benefit from being more hydrated, there's a few things you can do, including swapping out the usual water for the things listed below:
Add Fruit to Water
Add some frozen, pet-friendly fruits like blueberries, strawberries, and cut up pineapple, to water. Not only will the frozen fruit cool the water down, but it will add some mental and taste-bud stimulation to their normal drinking routine.
Unsweetened Coconut water is a great hydrating and tasty treat for your pet. You can put a moderate amount of coconut water in your pets drinking bowl to add some flavour and smells to their drink bowl. It's full of antioxidants, potassium, vitamin C and calcium.
Bone Broth
Organic bone broth is packed full of flavour and protein — be careful of excess sodium if you're buying pre-packed broth. If you're buying our 24 hour bone broth or making your own from home, you can keep it as pure as possible. You can add one cup of bone broth to their normal water to flavour it and imbue extra nutrients.
Vegetable Juice
Organic vegetables juiced in a juicer, like carrot juice, celery or cucumber, can be a delicious hydration booster for your pet. In moderation, they can enjoy this fruit juice in their water bowl.
Nut Milk
Can you picture the classic image of a kitten drinking milk from their precious food bowl? While milk is very important for your young pup or kittens health, just like humans, once they're grown, their bodies aren't as capable of handling the rich fattiness of milk, especially cows milk. However, nut alternatives like almond or cashew milk can be an interesting addition to their water bowl. In small amounts, they can enjoy the creaminess of milk. Ensure you ARE NOT feeding them Macadamia milk as it is toxic to dogs.
These are excellent additions to your pets liquid rotation but it is important they're drinking water regularly. Our Bella and Boots food packs are specially designed to provide your pet with everything they need for a healthy diet, including hydration boosting ingredients like raw meat, celery, leafy greens and, in our Kangaroo packs, beetroot. We’d love to hear how Bella and Boots has changed your pet's life. You can tag us on social media @bellaandbootspet or fill out our Pet of the Fortnight form here to win a 700g food pack.
