Keeping your pet hydrated means ensuring they have constant access to fresh water and, where possible, a diet that supports their daily fluid needs. Signs of dehydration include lethargy, dry gums, sunken eyes and skin that doesn't spring back quickly when gently pinched. In warm weather, both dogs and cats need extra attention -cats especially, as they naturally have a lower drive to drink.
Key takeaways
- Fresh, clean water should always be available -this is the single most important thing you can do for your pet's hydration.
- Dogs tend to drink more readily than cats; cats evolved to get much of their fluid from food, so diet plays a bigger role in keeping them hydrated.
- In hot weather, a pet's fluid needs increase -watch for early signs of dehydration and act quickly if you spot them.
- Wet food contains 70–85% water and can contribute meaningfully to daily fluid intake alongside a water bowl.
- If you're worried your pet is dehydrated or struggling in the heat, contact your vet straight away. Dehydration can escalate fast, particularly in older pets, young animals and flat-faced breeds.
How important is hydration for dogs and cats?
Water is essential to almost every function in a pet's body. It supports digestion, regulates body temperature, helps kidneys filter waste and keeps joints and tissues working as they should. Without enough of it, these processes begin to suffer.
For dogs, dehydration can set in relatively quickly in hot weather, particularly after exercise. For cats, the concern is slightly different. Cats have a naturally low thirst drive, inherited from desert-dwelling ancestors who obtained most of their moisture from prey. This means a cat on a dry-only diet may chronically drink less fluid than is ideal -not because they're in crisis, but because their instinct to seek out water is simply weaker than a dog's.
Neither species should ever go without fresh water. But understanding the difference between how dogs and cats approach drinking is useful when you're thinking about how to support them through summer.
Do dogs need more water than cats?
In terms of total daily intake, yes -dogs generally consume more water than cats, partly because they're larger and partly because they're more active. As a rough guide, dogs need approximately 50–60ml of water per kilogram of body weight per day, though this varies with activity level, diet and temperature. Cats tend to need around 40–60ml per kilogram, but again this is highly individual and influenced significantly by what they're eating.
|
Species |
Approximate daily water need |
Key factor |
|
Dog |
~50–60ml per kg body weight |
Activity level, temperature, diet |
|
Cat |
~40–60ml per kg body weight |
Diet (wet vs dry food) is especially significant |
Note: These figures are general estimates. Individual needs vary. Speak to your vet if you have concerns about your pet's fluid intake.
These are guidelines, not rigid targets. What matters more than hitting a specific number is observing your pet and knowing what's normal for them. A dog that suddenly drinks far more or far less than usual is worth monitoring and potentially discussing with your vet.
How can I tell if my pet is dehydrated?
Knowing the signs of dehydration means you can act before it becomes serious. The most commonly cited indicators are:
For dogs:
- Lethargy or unusual tiredness
- Dry or sticky gums (healthy gums should feel moist and slightly slippery)
- Sunken eyes
- Loss of appetite
- Reduced skin elasticity -if you gently lift the skin at the scruff of the neck and it doesn't spring back promptly, this can indicate dehydration
- Dark or reduced urination
For cats:
- Lethargy
- Dry mouth and gums
- Sunken or dull-looking eyes
- Coat that looks unkempt or loses its usual condition
- Reduced urination or visiting the litter tray less often
- Loss of appetite
The skin elasticity test (often called the skin tent test) is a commonly referenced quick check, but it isn't definitive on its own and can give misleading results in older animals or those that are overweight. If you're seeing multiple signs at once, or if your pet seems unwell in the heat, contact your vet rather than waiting to see if things improve.
How can I keep my dog hydrated in summer?
A few practical steps make a real difference during warmer months.
- Always carry water on walks. A collapsible travel bowl takes up almost no space and means your dog can drink whenever they need to, not just when you get home.
- Refresh the water bowl frequently. Water sitting in a bowl in a warm room or garden will get stale and warm quickly. Dogs are less likely to drink water that's warm or has debris in it. Rinse and refill regularly throughout the day.
- Provide multiple water points. If you have a larger home or garden, put bowls in more than one spot -this reduces the chances of your dog going without simply because the bowl is out of reach.
- Time walks carefully. On hot days, walk early morning or evening when temperatures are lower. Overheated dogs lose water faster and are at greater risk of heat-related illness.
- Consider wet food or food toppers. Wet food contains significantly more moisture than dry kibble. Including some wet food -or adding a splash of water or low-sodium pet-safe broth to dry food -can increase total fluid intake without much effort.
- Watch for signs of overheating. Heavy panting, drooling and stumbling are signs your dog needs water and shade immediately. If these symptoms don't improve rapidly, call your vet.
How can I keep my cat hydrated in summer?
Cats require a little more creativity, since many won't reliably drink from a standard bowl.
- Try a pet water fountain. Many cats are drawn to moving water. A circulating fountain keeps water cool, oxygenated and appealing -and is one of the most consistently recommended hydration aids for cats.
- Experiment with bowl placement and material. Some cats dislike the smell of plastic bowls. Ceramic or stainless-steel options are worth trying. Position the water bowl away from food and litter -cats often prefer these to be in separate areas.
- Feed wet food. This is one of the most effective ways to increase a cat's fluid intake without relying on them to drink more. A cat eating a wet food diet takes in substantially more moisture than one eating exclusively dry food. As noted by FEDIAF and echoed by many veterinary nutritionists, food moisture is a significant contributor to total fluid intake in cats.
- Add a little water to food. If your cat eats wet food, you can stir in a small amount of water to increase fluid content further. Some cats take to this easily; others won't tolerate any change in texture.
- Keep water cool. On hot days, adding an ice cube to the bowl can make water more attractive -and some cats find it entertaining.
As always, if you're concerned your cat isn't drinking enough, your vet is the right person to speak to. There are underlying health reasons that can affect thirst and urination in cats, and these are worth ruling out.
Does wet food actually help with pet hydration?
Yes, it can -meaningfully so. Wet food typically contains 70–85% moisture, compared to around 6–12% in dry kibble. For a cat eating primarily wet food, a significant portion of their daily fluid needs can come from their diet rather than from a water bowl.
This doesn't mean wet food is the only valid choice, or that pets on dry food will inevitably be poorly hydrated -plenty of dogs and cats on dry diets drink well and maintain good hydration. But if you're looking for a practical way to support hydration, particularly in summer or for a cat that's a reluctant drinker, including wet food in the diet is a reasonable step.
Naturo's wet food recipes for both dogs and cats are high-moisture products in the typical range for their format, made with natural ingredients and no artificial additives -a straightforward option if you're looking to add more moisture to your pet's meals.
