For many pet parents, the hot and humid summer weather brings pet hydration top of mind, but do many know the benefits of proper hydration all year round? PetSafe® brand is sponsoring Pet Hydration Month this July to educate pet parents about the importance of proper hydration.
About the Drinkwell Outdoor Dog Fountain:
The Drinkwell® Outdoor Dog Fountain is our largest capacity pet fountain, offering 3.5 gallons of fresh, filtered water to your pet. With its free-falling stream of water, pets are encouraged to drink more, and they get the cleanest, freshest-tasting water. This system is perfect for large dogs or multi-pet homes. Made with high-impact UV-resistant plastic, this durable fountain can be placed inside the home or outdoors when temperatures are above 40°F. The dual filtration system removes small particles and catches dirt, hair, and other debris that larger dogs tend to leave behind.
Features
- Two 1-gallon reservoirs with handles and fill level indicator for easy refills
- Dual filtration with activated carbon and foam filters (included)
- Deep drinking bowl with high sides to reduce splashing and spills
- Split water flow improves aeration and keeps water clear
- Chew-resistant cord cover
- Completely disassembles
- Best for large dogs or dogs who tend to spill or splash water
- Dual filtration with activated carbon and foam filters
- Holds 3.5 gallons
- Dishwasher safe excluding pump
- All parts are made of BPA-free plastic
- For indoor or outdoor use
“Our pets need one ounce of water per pound of body weight each day,” said Willie Wallace, CEO of Radio Systems Corporation, makers of the PetSafe brand. “Proper hydration plays a big role in a pet’s health, and can save pet parents a trip to their vet’s office.”
The Drinkwell fountain fills a need in our home! We watch dogs in our home and are CONSTANTLY filling up our 1 1/2 gallon water bowl. Now, we have this Drinkwell fountain and it holds 3 1/2 gallons! It’s amazing!
I actually put it together by myself and it was super easy. My son helped and we had it together, full of water and plugged in in less than 5 minutes. I love that our pups can drink filtered water, just like we do! They love the “fresh” taste from the fountain flowing all the time.
The fountain comes with 2 smaller tanks that you fill up. There is no heavy jugs to dump over. Just fill the reservoirs, turn them over in their places and you are good to go!
Not only do the dogs love the new fountain, we love the relaxing water fountain noise. I was worried that it would make me need to pee more often, but that hasn’t been the case. The water noise is very relaxing- even my hubby enjoys it!
Similar to humans, the bodies of our pets consist of mostly water, making proper daily water intake extremely important. Proper hydration can help pets with things like:
- Preventing urinary tract infections and urinary disease. Unlike the food humans eat, dry dog and cat foods have very low moisture levels. If a pet doesn’t drink a lot of water from its bowl, consider adding water to their dry food or incorporating wet food into their diet. Cats with low water intake may experience urinary tract infections, or even urinary stones and crystals that can cause urethral obstruction.
- Aiding with energy levels and temperature regulation. Water helps pets convert fat to energy. If a pet drinks enough water throughout the day they will have the energy to play outside or go on a walk. Water intake also cools the body and helps them maintain a consistent and normal body temperature.
- Speeding recovery time from sickness or surgery. Drinking water can help promote healthy kidney function and flush toxins from their bodies. This is important after a bout of sickness or during the recovery process after a major surgery.
The 411 on Pet Dehydration
“Dehydration occurs when the fluids in a pet’s body drops to less than normal, often due to either reduced water intake or increased loss of fluid,” said Sarah Beene, category manager for PetSafe brand water and feed solutions. “It’s important for pet parents to know the symptoms of dehydration that can occur not just during the hot summer months, but all year round.”
Common symptoms include:
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea
- Lack of energy
- Excessive and ongoing panting
- Loss of appetite
- Sunken, dry eyes
- Dry and sticky gums
- Loss of skin elasticity (when pulled or moved, the skin will not go back to its original place)
If a pet parent suspects that their pet might be dehydrated, they should take him or her to a veterinarian immediately where they can monitor the pet closely and administer IV fluids. To help pet parents learn more about how to administer a test to see if a pet is dehydrated, PetSafe brand has developed a how-to video.
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How do you keep your pets hydrated? Let us know in the comments below.
