When warm months are upon us, it’s important to be mindful of a dog’s water intake. Since Cushing’s dogs are prone to symptoms like excessive thirst, it’s especially important to care for your pup’s hydration when the weather gets hot.

Foods that Hydrate

Since a whole food diet or a kibble diet with whole food additions can be beneficial for a Cushing’s dog, it’s easy to add in foods that are also hydrating. This comes in the form of fruits and veggies.

Watery fruits and veggies like cucumber and watermelon can be a delicious and hydrating treat for a dog. Remove the seeds and rind, then let your pup chow down. Other fruits and veggies that pack on the hydrating power are apples, other melons like cantaloupe, and leafy greens. Berries are great too and can be served frozen plain or mixed with yogurt for a pup pop. Just remember, no grapes. They can cause kidney problems for pups.

Water Access

According to Petmd.com, “Providing access to an abundance of clean, cool water is critical.” It’s easy to set a bowl out for pups staying outside, but if the water if left to heat in the sun, it’s not as appealing to your dog. Keeping water refreshed is important too. Try a bowl that recirculates water to help you manage your pup’s supply.

Work Hydration into Play

Give your pup an icy treat by filling a toy with water and freezing it. Add an element of play and hydration beyond ice cubes by using puzzle or regular chew toys for this. Petmd.com also suggests freezing a dog treat in the middle of an ice cube for a fun and hydrating surprise.

Keeping dogs cool in the heat goes a long way to preventing dehydration. Incorporate kiddie pools or sprinklers into your outdoor time in the summer, especially if your pup spends time outdoors on a regular basis. Toss balls or other toys into the kiddie pool and let your dog fish them out! They’ll cool off and gulp a bit of water in the process.