Treats to Keep Your Dog Hydrated
Just setting down a water bowl for your pets may not be enough, especially in the summertime. If you take your dog for long walks or have a strenuous play session, your pet may need even more. You’ll probably notice your dog heads straight to the water bowl after dinner or a salty treat.
Don’t count on your pet to know exactly how much hydration he needs, though. As a general rule, dogs should have one ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. But you can supplement the daily water bowl with a treat or two. He won’t mind. Here are some great hydrating treats to try.
Treats to Keep Your Dog Hydrated
Ice Cubes
If you haven’t discovered it by accident yet, some dogs love chomping on ice cubes. This option can be harmful to teeth, though. Stick with smaller cubes or ice shavings for best results. If you’re trying to encourage your pet to drink more water, slipping some ice cubes into the bowl could do the trick.
Pupsicles
There are plenty of recipes for dog popsicles online, many incorporating tasty ingredients like broth and berries. Keep in mind that some human foods are toxic to dogs and others may cause gastrointestinal upset. You can find plenty of popsicle molds online that will help you make tasty, dog-sized portions. If you don’t have popsicle molds, just use an ice cube tray with a dog treat as the stick.
Fruits and Vegetables
Some fruits and veggies can be high in water content, as well as being packed with helpful nutrients. Again, you’ll want to check the toxicity list, but safe water-rich fruits include cantaloupe, cucumbers, oranges, and strawberries. Vegetables include celery and carrots. You can even freeze them or mash them up to make popsicles for an extra-tasty treat.
Dog Ice Cream
Check with your local grocery store. You’ll likely find that you can buy treats geared specifically toward dogs. Brands like Frosty Paws provide ice cream in convenient, single-serve cups that your pup can enjoy. You can also mix up a smoothie for your pet using ingredients like peanut butter, bananas, or berries.
Ready to have a safe, fun summer? I have plenty of tips on my podcast, Summer Safety Tips and Nuisance Barking. Download the episode or read the show notes here. And if you have specific questions about your dog, be sure to submit them beneath the show notes to get an answer on a future episode.
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