Dogs are the best travel companions. They’re always happy to go wherever you want to go, whether it’s a quick visit to the park, a long road trip, or a hike up into the mountains. But if you’re not prepared to care for them when you’re out and about, things can go south quickly. So, whether you’re planning on hiking, camping, or just heading to the nearest dog park, keep your pup comfortable, cool, and hydrated throughout the trip.
What Causes Dehydration in Dogs?
Panting, urinating, defecating, and breathing contribute to water loss in dogs. Dehydration may occur without fluid intake to make up for this loss, leading to dangerous health emergencies. In the most severe cases, this can result in organ failure, dramatic changes in body temperature, and worst of all, death.
Water is important for humans, but your pooch needs it too! Dogs easily get dehydrated when walking to the park or doing other strenuous activities, particularly during the summer months. Going on a hike with your pup under the sun's heat is fine, provided that they are hydrated enough to hit the trails.
Factors like breed, fitness level, age, sun exposure, and elevation also influence how far Fluffy can travel with you. For example, to reduce the risk of dehydration, travel during the coolest parts of the day to minimize sun exposure.
If your canine companion seems to be struggling, it's best to cut the trip short and head home to rest. Regardless of where you're headed, always pay attention to signs of exhaustion and dehydration.
5 Ways to Give Water to Dogs When Traveling
Before you take Skipper out on their next walk, here are some of the things you need to know to keep them hydrated.
1. Add Interesting Flavors to Their Drinking WaterÂ
Before going on a walk or hike, encourage your dog to drink to prepare for the trip ahead. This can be a challenge for many owners, as dogs seem to have preferences when it comes to drinking water. Some like their water cool, others ice cold. There are also dogs who refuse to drink because of the bowl placement and the quality of the water.
Like humans, they can be picky with food and drinking water! If they don’t want to drink before heading out, try adding interesting flavors to their water. You can add a spoonful of broth to the bowl to make it more appealing. Soaking their kibble in water or adding wet food can also boost hydration.
2. Make Frozen Treats or Pupsicles
See what we did there? Pupsicles?
Dogs never refuse delicious frozen treats, especially after a long walk on a hot, sunny day. The bad news? Ice cream is not recommended for pets, due to the high amount of cream and sugar. It’s up to us to make a hydrating, healthy treat for our four-legged friends!
Pet parents can offer ice cubes to cool down overheated pets, but you may want to step up your flavor game a bit for a more exciting hydration boost. There are tons of popsicles and frozen treats you can try. Many of them include dog-friendly yogurt, peanut butter, pumpkin, and fruits as the main ingredients.
Find a recipe online that you like. Blend the ingredients together and pour them into a popsicle mold. Just be careful about using molds with plastic or wooden sticks, unless closely supervised. These are potential choking hazards. If you’re not comfortable in the kitchen, you could possibly find these treats at your local pet store.
3. Bring a Water Bottle
Bringing a water bottle for you and your dog is a must during trips and long walks. Unfortunately, dogs also have preferences and may sometimes refuse to drink straight from a water bottle. After all, they don’t really drink this way naturally. So, nowadays, a small bowl/dish is a popular option for dogs and pet parents on the go.
But buying one container for you and a dish for your dog is a bit much. Flobottle’s stainless steel water bottle is a high-quality, convenient hydration solution for both pets and their owners. It has a bottom compartment, allowing you to give water to your dog anytime, anywhere.
4. Give Your Dog the Right Type of Water
It's not always easy to have safe, clean water for your dog on the road. At some point, owners might be forced to give their pets tap water from restaurants, stores, and random establishments. Some dogs, meanwhile, can't be stopped from drinking from or swimming in rivers, lakes, and ponds.
It's generally safe for them to drink tap water from natural sources, but water from different places varies in quality and may contain contaminants that can harm your dog. To be sure, give your dog the same water you, yourself, will drink. As much as possible, prevent them from drinking untreated water. The safest decision is to bring water that you drink from home.
5. Stop to Rest and Hydrate Once in a While
Although dogs need about an ounce of water for each pound of body weight every day, it’s not necessary to meticulously measure and control their water intake unless stated by a veterinarian. As long as you give Fido access to fresh, clean water, everything will be fine.
Making sure your pup is well hydrated can be challenging, especially if you’re dealing with a more picky drinker. But it’s important to pause and allow them to drink clean water once every 60 to 90 minutes. Remember that water for dogs on walks is crucial, specifically during long hikes at higher elevations, as well as during the warmer months of the year.
Keep Your Dog Hydrated at All Times
Dogs can get dehydrated quickly outdoors, so always provide them with plenty of clean water. As long as you have fresh water and a quality stainless steel storage container, both of you are sure to remain happy and hydrated throughout your walk, trek, or car ride!
Flobottle is here to take care of you and your companion. Shop with us today.
