High-Performance Hydration

A 2005 summary of working dogs found that they can recover from the loss of most of their fat and half of their muscle. But a loss of more than 10 percent of a dog’s water stores? It can result in death.

Presented by Eukanuba

A 2005 summary of working dogs found that they can recover from the loss of most of their fat and half of their muscle. But a loss of more than 10 percent of a dog’s water stores? It can result in death.

Eukanuba Sporting Dog’s Dr. Jill Cline says:

“A 44-pound dog loses between a half and 1½ gallons of water every day. They need to drink at least that amount daily.

“Or, calculate minimum water intake through food consumption. Multiply the number of cups of dry food offered daily by three cups. Six cups of food times three equals 18 cups of water.

“Conditioned dogs resist dehydration and heat stroke better than sedentary dogs.

“Some dogs don’t like to drink, so try ‘baiting’ the water. Drop one to two tablespoons of high-fat canned food in the bottom of a full water bowl and feed. Dogs will drink water to reach the food.”