How To Keep Your Dog Or Cat Hydrated This Summer

Dehydration can kill your pet! Here’s how to keep your dog or cat hydrated in the heat

By Chere Di Boscio

We all love the summer months, right? Long, sunny days. Picnics. Vacations.

Our pets love the warmer weather, too. But we need to remember: As the UK moves into warmer months, that can also mean heatstroke, heat rash, and dehydration.

That’s true for us, and our four legged friends, too. Even more so for them! After all, we must remember they are essentially wearing a fur coat, no matter what the weather.

For that reason, veterinarians are urging pet owners to stay vigilant for dehydration. We asked

Dr Aimee Warner, resident veterinarian at Waggel, for advice.

“It is important to keep your dog or cat hydrated in summer because signs of dehydration in pets isn’t always obvious. By the time signs appear, like sunken eyes or extreme lethargy, your pet could already be in real danger. Heat affects animals differently than humans, and our furry companions are often less equipped to manage rising temperatures,” she says.

Unlike humans, dogs and cats don’t sweat effectively and often don’t increase their water intake until they’re already under strain. Prevention isn’t just important, it’s lifesaving.

So here below, Dr Warner advises that we should all become familiar with these six hydration basics for pet owners. She then goes on the explain more in detail, for dogs and cats more specifically.

Six Hydration Basics Every Pet Owner Should Know

1. Don’t wait for thirst: encourage hydration

By the time a pet is actively seeking water, dehydration may already be underway. Place multiple water bowls throughout your home and garden to encourage regular drinking. Cats, in particular, may benefit from fountains — more on that below.

2. Know the subtle signs

Dry gums, lethargy, sunken eyes, and skin that doesn’t bounce back quickly when pinched can all signal dehydration. In cats, a lack of grooming is also a red flag.

3. Make hydration part of feeding

To keep your dog or cat hydrated, you should know that wet food offers an instant moisture boost. For cats, it’s particularly important. For dogs, try mixing in a splash of water or offering pet-safe frozen treats.

4. Adjust your routines

Walk dogs only during the coolest parts of the day: early morning or late evening. For indoor pets, provide cool, shaded spaces and good ventilation.

5. Never leave pets in cars or enclosed spaces

Temperatures inside vehicles can soar within minutes. Even with a window cracked, the risk of dehydration and heatstroke is dangerously high. To keep your dog or cat hydrated in summer, just avoid leaving your pet in any kind of hot, enclosed space.

6. Hydration matters year-round

While heat is a major trigger, dehydration can also occur indoors during winter or after vigorous play. Make hydration part of your daily care routine.

Common Symptoms Of Dehydration In Cats And Dogs

Think your pet might be dehydrated? Here’s what to look out for.

Dry or sticky gums. If the mouth, tongue, or gums are dry, your pet is suffering from dehydration. Also be sure to check on the mucus. If it’s thick and stringy, it’s another indication of dehydration.
Loss of skin elasticity. Gently pinch a fold of skin at the back of your dog’s neck or between the shoulder blades. If the skin does not snap back into place immediately, your pet may be dehydrated. After this test, if the skin does not return fully to its position, your pet may be severely dehydrated and may be in critical condition. Seek veterinary attention immediately.
Excessive panting.
Drooling.
Sunken or dry eyes.
Lethargy or depression.
Decreased appetite.
Dark or reduced urine output.
Clinical symptoms. Dehydration often accompanies symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, hypothermia (low body temperature), and fever. But it can also be a result of vomiting or diarrhea.

Reminders For Dog Owners

1. Time walks carefully

Live in the city? To keep your dog hydrated, definitely avoid taking Fido out for a walk during the hottest parts of the day. Tarmac and pavements can burn paws, and excessive exertion in heat can quickly lead to dehydration or heatstroke.

2. Offer water regularly on walks

Dogs won’t always stop to drink when they need to. Use a collapsible bowl or pet-safe bottle and offer water throughout your walk, and be sure they use it.

3. Adjust play and exercise

Even high-energy breeds need downtime in hot weather. Swap high-intensity play for short, shaded sniffing walks or indoor enrichment.

4. Serve dog-safe frozen treats

Frozen broth cubes, dog-friendly fruits like blueberries, or simple ice cubes can provide some easy and yummy hydration. Chewing frozen things also provides some mental stimulation for your pet, and it’s an easy way to keep your dog hydrated.

5. Watch out for warning signs

Excessive panting, glazed eyes, drooling, or disorientation may signal advanced dehydration or overheating. If in doubt, stop activity, offer water, and cool your dog gradually.

Reminders For Cat Owners

Unlike dogs, cats naturally have a low thirst drive and may not seek out water regularly. Plus, cats on a dry food diet are at higher risk of dehydration.

1. Understand their instincts

As most cat owners know, cats naturally hide signs of discomfort. This makes it difficult to know if they’re healthy or sick, comfortable or dehydrated. Look for changes in energy levels, grooming habits, and appetite.

2. Make water more appealing

To keep your cat hydrated, remember that many cats prefer running water. Pet fountains are a simple way to encourage more drinking, especially for those fed mostly dry food. You can also experiment with flavoured pet-safe broths.

3. Offer hydration-enhancing meals

Try offering wet food or adding a splash of water to kibble. In addition, ice cubes flavoured with tuna water or low-salt broth is a great a cooling treat.

4. Provide cool zones at home

Cats will gravitate towards shaded, cool surfaces. So to keep your cat hydrated, keep curtains drawn in sun-facing rooms and allow access to tiled floors or breezy spots.

5. Keep indoor cats on your radar

Don’t assume indoor cats are safe from heat-related risks. Flats, lofts, and sun-facing windows can easily lead to overheating if not monitored.

What To Do If Your Pet Is Dehydrated

If your pet is suffering from moderate to severe dehydration, seek veterinary attention immediately.
If pet dehydration is mild and there is no vomiting, keep your dog or cat hydrated bit by bit with small amounts of water, slowly. Give frequent, small amounts of water by mouth.
If your cat or dog is lethargic, in pain, or has not eaten for 24 hours, seek veterinary attention immediately.

What NOT To Do

Do not give your pet immediate free access to large amounts of water or any other liquid.
Do not feed your pet any dry food unless a vet gives you the OK.

Knowing how to keep your dog or cat hydrated is one of the most fundamental aspects of pet health. Whether you have a dog bounding through the park or a cat curled up in a sunbeam, hydration is one of the simplest and most effective ways to safeguard their health. It’s easy to overlook — but it’s never worth the risk.

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Chere Di Boscio

Chere has always loved writing, fashion and languages, and holds degrees in Psychology and Art, and postgraduate degree in Applied Linguistics and Education. Her long career in journalism spans several continents: she’s edited and written for prestigious fashion magazines in Toronto, Dubai, Paris, London and Buenos Aires, and also taught at the prestigious School for Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London for over a decade. Learn more about Chere’s extensive career on LinkedIn.

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