| that finding a good, high-quality dog food is | | | | dog foods on the market. Dogs need three times |
| important? | | | | more water than they do food every day. They |
| All of the beneficial ingredients that go into dog food | | | | need even more water if it is extremely hot, the dog |
| will not help your dog if he it is not drinking enough | | | | is lactating, or if the dog is exercising more than |
| water. Water is the body's most important nutrient. | | | | normal. Dogs that eat canned dog food do not need |
| Adult dogs' bodies are 60% water, and a puppy's is | | | | to drink as much water because of the high amount |
| 84% water. Dogs can lose all of their fat and half of | | | | of water contained in the food. |
| their protein without adversely affecting their health, | | | | Often, sick dogs don't want to drink the water they |
| but a loss of 10 % of their water can cause | | | | need, but the illness increases the need for water. |
| significant problems. Dog owners should place as | | | | When this happens, a dog can become quickly |
| much attention on the quality of the water their dog | | | | dehydrated. To check for dehydration, dog owners |
| drinks as they do on the ingredients that go into the | | | | can pull upward on the dog's skin at the nape of the |
| best dog foods; not all water is the same. | | | | neck. If the skin snaps back, the dog is sufficiently |
| The criteria for clean drinking water for dogs is similar | | | | hydrated, if it takes several seconds for the skin to |
| to the criteria for drinking water for people. Tap | | | | go back, fluids may need to be replaced |
| water generally provides the best nutrients and least | | | | intravenously or subcutaneously. Owners should |
| contaminants; if, however, the tap water contains | | | | never offer water to vomiting dogs; this is perhaps |
| high amounts of magnesium, nitrates, and iron it can | | | | the only time to make sure dogs don't have access |
| cause long term health risks. For those who fear their | | | | to water. If a dog vomits for more than a |
| tap water may be contaminated, bottled water can | | | | twenty-four hour period it should see a vet |
| be a better choice. | | | | immediately. |
| Stainless steel and stoneware dishes are good, safe | | | | In addition to better health, proper hydration |
| choices for food and water bowls. Plastic bowls may | | | | contributes to the performance of a dog. Many |
| scratch, giving unhealthy contaminates an ideal place | | | | owners of working dogs flavor their dog's food in |
| to live. The water should be cool in the summer and | | | | order to make sure it is drinking the appropriate |
| room temperature in the winter. The dogs bowl | | | | amounts. Studies have proven that proper hydration |
| should always be clean. If you're not sure if it needs | | | | increases an animal's working ability by 80%. The |
| changing, ask yourself if you would drink the water -- | | | | next time you pour one of those "better" dog foods |
| if the answer is no, change it. | | | | into your dog's bowl, remember that if the dog |
| Dogs should have access to fresh water at all times. | | | | doesn't have the right amount of clean water, the |
| This is even more important than giving it the best | | | | food is useless. |