Keep pets happy and hydrated during drought

WHILE KwaZulu-Natal remains in the grip of a severe drought, the importance of water in a pet’s diet cannot be stressed enough.

The obvious nutrients required by your pet for a full and balanced diet, such as protein, carbohydrates, fats, minerals and vitamins are more commonly considered.

The key nutrient that deserves as much attention for its overall health benefits is water.

Water is essential for the body to perform optimally and aids the body in maintaining a regular temperature.

“Without water, all the other nutrients found in your pet’s food will be rendered useless, as water is needed in digestion and the absorption of nutrients,” said the manager for the Pet Food Industry, Dominique Kuhlmann.

Dehydration will cause the volume of circulating blood to decrease which causes an imbalance of electrolytes in the fluid found inside and around the body’s cells.

This limits temperature control and results in cells that cannot perform their bodily functions. In some cases organs are damaged and in more severe situations, death.

Should you suspect dehydration it is best to get your pet to the vet as soon as possible.

Signs to look out for include:

Panting, elevated heart rate, lethargy, sunken eyes, a dry nose and mouth and skin that, when pinched together, does not return to its original position quickly.

“Using the skin above the shoulder blades is a good place to check,” said Dominique.

Pets suffering from vomiting or diarrhoea should be monitored closely to ensure sufficient water is being consumed.

“Your pet’s food does contain some moisture in it but it is still imperative that all pets are given access to plenty of clean, fresh water.

Cat owners may notice that cats are less likely to drink from a bowl than dogs are. Sometimes placing food and water bowls apart from each other helps, or you can try and place multiple water bowls around the house to encourage hydration throughout the day,” said Dominique.