Summer heat raises the stakes on something pet owners often overlook: water. Pets carry a slightly higher share of water in their bodies than we do, so a hot afternoon that leaves us reaching for a glass can leave a dog, cat, or horse in real trouble faster than most owners expect.
July is National Pet Hydration Awareness Month, a campaign started by PetSafe to get more owners thinking about daily water intake before dehydration becomes an emergency. It is a good excuse to check how much water your pets are getting.
How Much Water Do Pets Need
Dogs and cats generally need about one ounce of water per pound of body weight each day, more if they are active, nursing, or spending time outside in the heat. That is a helpful starting point, not a hard rule. A 20-pound dog is looking at roughly two and a half cups a day at minimum.
Cats can be picky about how they drink. If your cat prefers the faucet, a pet fountain that keeps water moving can encourage more consistent drinking than a still bowl.
Even pets who stay indoors in air conditioning still feel the effects of summer heat and humidity, especially if they spend any time outside during the day. Keep fresh, cool water available at all times and check it more than once a day when temperatures climb.
Signs of Dehydration in Dogs and Cats
Dehydration can build up gradually, so it helps to know what to look for:
The Skin Test: A Quick Hydration Check
Veterinarians commonly use a simple skin test as a rough hydration check at home. Gently lift a fold of skin at the back of your pet’s neck or between the shoulder blades, then release it.
If the skin snaps back into place right away, hydration is probably fine. If it settles back slowly, or stays tented, treat that as a signal to call your veterinarian rather than a diagnosis on its own.
Other Causes of Dehydration
Some pets are more prone to dehydration and need closer attention to water intake:
Hydration and Horses
Horses face the same risk, just at a larger scale. A fluid loss of around 4 percent of body weight is enough to bring on mild dehydration, and horses that sweat heavily in hot, humid weather need considerably more water to avoid heat exhaustion.
A resting adult horse typically drinks somewhere between 5 and 10 gallons of water a day, with intake climbing well past that during hard work or extreme heat. The same skin test used on dogs and cats works on horses too, checked near the base of the neck.
When you are unsure whether a horse, dog, or cat is dehydrated, loop in your veterinarian. The tests above are a starting point, not a substitute for a professional exam.
Water and Grooming Go Together
Plenty of fresh water is the foundation, but regular grooming helps too. Removing loose, dead hair lets air move through a dog or cat’s coat more easily, which is one reason many owners fold a quick brushing session into their summer routine.
The 5″ EquiGroomer uses micro-barbed teeth that lift dead hair from the ends instead of pulling on the topcoat, so it stays comfortable to use on hot days when a pet is already less tolerant of fuss.
