With lockdown restrictions easing week-on-week, most of us are getting out more than ever, and it couldn’t be better timing with summer almost here!

Staying hydrated when you’re out and about is now a top priority for all the family and this should include your furry friends.

Dogs need to stay hydrated, especially when you’re indulging in long walks in the countryside or a fun seaside trip.

Here’s how to spot the signs of dehydration and the handy tips that will keep your dog hydrated, even when you’re far from home.

How much water should my dog drink?

As with human health, water is essential for the wellbeing of your pooch. As well as keeping your dog active and alert, good water intake is vital to the preservation of their health.

Drinking water boosts immunity, lubricates and cushions the joints to prevent pain, improves digestion, flushes away harmful waste and toxins, and enables them to maintain a healthy body temperature.

With dogs, striking the right balance between too little and too much water is vital. Over-drinking can cause bloating and water toxicity. It could even be an early sign of diabetes or an infection.

The Labrador Site offers their advice on how much water a dog should drink to get intake just right:

“As a rough guideline, normal water intake for a dog is around an ounce per pound (50 mL per kg) of body weight per day.

That means that a 65-pound (30 kg) Labrador would drink approximately half a gallon (1.5 litres) of water per day. But every dog is different, so it’s important to know what is normal for your dog rather than dogs in general.”

How do I know if my dog is dehydrated?

One of the primary reasons both humans and pets drink water is to avoid the troubling symptoms of dehydration.

Similar to humans, dogs store approximately 66% of water within their cells, which means dehydration can have a detrimental effect.

If left unresolved, dehydration can be potentially life-threatening, causing serious internal damage and even death.

Identifying dehydration can be a little trickier in dogs. A dehydrated dog tends to have dry gums, sunken eyes, weakness, and a lack of skin elasticity. They may also sleep more than usual and are prone to collapsing.

There are many reasons why a dog may become dehydrated and/or refuse to drink. These include an underlying health condition (dehydration is common in dogs suffering from heatstroke or a fever), sickness, fatigue, pain, and diarrhoea.

How can I prevent dehydration?

There are lots of ways that you can prevent dehydration, which will be particularly useful during the hotter, more humid summer months.

Making sure your dog has access to clean water is rule number one. You should also clean your dog’s bowl daily to keep the water within as fresh and tasty as possible.

Top their water bowl up throughout the day to keep it cool. You could even add some ice cubes.

When out and about, never leave your dog in the car for a long period of time. You should also avoid taking your dog for a walk on hotter days. Walk your dog early in the morning or in the evening to avoid excessive heat.

For longer outings, away from home, make sure you take water and a suitable bowl with you. There are lots of great collapsible bowls and combined water bottles available that make carrying these essential supplies on the longest walks a breeze.

Check out these top-rated pet water bottles and bowls.