By Pauline Machado
Just like for our bodies, water is essential for the health and well-being of dogs and cats. It plays a fundamental role in several vital functions, such as temperature regulation, digestion and elimination of toxins, as well as helping to prevent kidney problems.
Therefore, this month of March, in which the 22nd is celebrated, On World Water Day , we spoke exclusively with the Veterinarian, Simone Regina Argenton-Perrell is a specialist in Veterinary Nephrology and Urology and an associate member of the Brazilian College of Veterinary Nephrology and Urology – CBNUV. Simone is also a human nutritionist with an emphasis on Nephrology.
This month, which also focuses attention on kidney cancer prevention, the veterinarian emphasizes that ensuring dogs and cats have continuous access to clean, fresh water not only prevents health problems such as kidney and urinary tract diseases, but also contributes to more active behavior and a longer, healthier life.
Follow along!
Pet Med – To begin, why is water so important for the health of our pets?
Simone Regina Argenton-Perrella – Water is fundamental to the life of living beings in general. Among mammalian animals, their body weight varies from 60% to 90% in fluids, with 90% being water. Total body water is distributed among compartments: intracellular (about 40% of body weight, the fluid inside the cells); the rest is distributed in extracellular compartments (15% of body weight, the interstitial space between cells and around 5% of the individual's weight in the vascular bed - plasma). There is also a volume of around 2% in transcellular compartments (bladder, kidneys, intestines, glands, joints, among others).
Our bodies and those of our pets strive to maintain balance and perform specific functions to achieve this, such as the transport of ions and other substances between compartments; physiological functions like digestion and respiration; metabolic reactions such as the synthesis of substances and the elimination of toxic products, among others. This balance is maintained in a fluid, not static, way and occurs even with external changes to the body. Thus, water balance is fundamental for the maintenance of life.
Pet Med – What are the main functions of water in a pet's body and how does it contribute to its well-being?
Simone Regina Argenton-Perrella – Water is directly related to the preservation of life through various chemical reactions, the transport of substances across plasma membranes, and overall balance, such as temperature and pH. Remembering that more than 60% of the body is water, homeostasis, which is the physiological concept of body stability, is maintained thanks to the proper proportion of water in the body.
However, when talking about water, we cannot forget that not only is a lack of it harmful to the body, but so is an excess. Therefore, pet owners need to constantly observe their pet's water consumption, whether it is decreased or increased. Animals can consume excessive amounts of water. This phenomenon is called polydipsia and occurs when there are physiological changes, mainly in some diseases such as diabetes insipidus, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and acute kidney injury. Iatrogenic hyperhydration, caused by humans, can also occur due to excessive fluid therapy, adverse drug events, or ionic imbalances.
Pet Med – Do pets have the same need for water intake as humans? Why?
Simone Regina Argenton-Perrella – The amount of water a pet needs to maintain its hydration balance is not the same as that of a human, although considering body weight, they are similar. A human needs around 30 to 50 mL/kg of water daily at a moderate temperature and without strenuous physical activity. A dog needs between 48 and 70 mL, and a cat between 30 and 60 mL/kg. This water should be available for the individual to consume 24 hours a day, regardless of the species. Unfortunately, not all pet owners are aware of this. Pets that sleep in the same room as their owners and do not have access to their water bowls for extended periods can become dehydrated.
Pet Med – How do hydration needs vary according to the size, age, and breed of the animal?
Simone Regina Argenton-Perrella – In general, there is a volume/live weight ratio. However, there are differences that should be taken into account. Water proportions vary according to age, activity level, and the animal's physiology. Younger animals and pregnant females have a larger fluid compartment, sometimes close to 90%, while in older animals this decreases, and young animals that engage in physical activity, "working" animals, and athletes need a greater water intake.
Animals that take certain medications, are in very hot environments, are stressed, eat salty foods, have access to seawater, have certain diseases, and have a greater need for water intake. In these cases, management should be adjusted, and a visit to your veterinarian is necessary.
Pet Med – How can family members tell if their pet isn't drinking enough water? What are the signs of dehydration in dogs and cats?
Simone Regina Argenton-Perrella – Daily observation is crucial to determine if your pet is drinking more or less water than usual, but sometimes people in this multi-species family don't have this observation parameter. So, here are some tips to help you determine if your pet's weight and water intake over a 24-hour period are adequate.
Water bowls should be washed daily and the water completely replaced. Use filtered or mineral water. Place a known volume of water in the bowls (use a graduated container or one whose volume is known) and monitor the local temperature and humidity. Before replacing the water, measure the remaining volume. This way, you will know approximately how much water the animal has drunk, as evaporation occurs, especially on hot days.
Pet Med – Is there a minimum recommended amount of water a dog should drink per day? What would that amount be for puppies, adults, and senior dogs? How do you calculate that amount?
Simone Regina Argenton-Perrella – Dogs should drink between 48 and 70 mL/kg per day, while cats need between 30 mL and 60 mL/kg. For a young adult dog weighing 10 kg, this is around 600 mL, equivalent to approximately 3 American cups.
Puppies need proportionally more water than older animals, but older animals need to be encouraged to drink water. Animals that engage in physical activity need more water. In some physiological situations, such as pregnancy or illness, this ratio increases. We must remember that on hot days or in drier locations there is greater evaporation, and animals need more water per kilogram of their weight.
The water provided must be filtered or mineral, as long as it is always potable. The bowls, both food and water bowls, must be appropriate for the species, breed and age, washed daily, even more than once, the environment where they are located must be clean, calm, free from unpleasant or strong odors, away from the animals' "bathrooms" and be made of material suitable for those pets.
Pet Med – Are there different amounts for dogs and cats? If so, what would the amounts be for cats?
Simone Regina Argenton-Perrella – There is a difference: cats should ingest between 30 and 60 mL/kg. Cats are more picky about water intake, and many don't drink the necessary amount. Therefore, some habits should be respected and precautions implemented. Water bowls should not be too deep; they should be wider because of their whiskers. They should be placed in various locations around the house, always away from litter boxes, and for some, away from food bowls and places where people walk. Water bowls with running water are acceptable, as long as they are quiet.
In homes with more than one cat, there should be more water bowls than animals, and they should be spaced far apart. For example, a non-obese cat weighing 5 kg should drink between 150 mL and 300 mL per day, which is roughly one to two American cups of water. However, larger volumes should be provided several times a day.
Pet Med – Besides drinking water, can other liquids like juice from a wet food sachet or fruit replace water in hydrating pets?
Simone Regina Argenton-Perrella – Yes. There are animals that love coconut water, for example, while others like ice cubes in their water bowls. Some animals have difficulty drinking water. This water can be flavored with ingredients like broths made from wet food or even fish such as sardines.
However, it's necessary to understand the reasons why this animal doesn't just want water. Sometimes, the help of a veterinarian is needed to investigate the reason. We cannot forget that both dogs and cats have a very keen sense of smell, and that odors that are pleasant to humans are unpleasant to them. Also, food bowls are usually on the floor, and many owners are unaware of the need for proper cleaning. Furthermore, dogs and cats often experience periodontal problems such as tartar and gingivitis, which cause bad odor and pain when drinking cold water. Inflammatory diseases such as kidney disease and inflammatory bowel disease can also cause gastritis, making drinking water painful. All of this needs to be evaluated.
Pet Med – Some pets, especially cats, seem uninterested in drinking water. What strategies can be adopted to encourage water intake?
Simone Regina Argenton-Perrella – First, an investigation should be conducted to determine if this is a disease, a quirk, or a habit. Considering it's simply a characteristic of the species, breed, and/or individual, water should be offered in a quiet place, with several water bowls scattered throughout the house. The water bowl should be made of ceramic or metal, and its shape should be appropriate for the size of the pet's head, snout, and whiskers. The water should be running, and maintaining water quality should be a priority; at room temperature, it should be odorless, tasteless, and colorless. The quantity and cleanliness of the water bowls can be strong allies in increasing the pet's water intake.
Pet Med – What health problems can arise if a pet doesn't drink enough water?
Simone Regina Argenton-Perrella – The first problem is dehydration, which can range from mild to severe and can even lead to death. We know that water is fundamental for maintaining life and metabolism. When an individual does not receive the necessary amount of water to maintain homeostasis, the body tries to preserve vital organs, especially the brain; even so, the animal may develop acute kidney injury (AKI) due to hypovolemia. It can also increase blood viscosity, predisposing to ischemia and even thrombosis, severe hypotension, cardiac and respiratory alterations, among others.
When dehydrated, an individual feels weak, cannot maintain the proper body temperature, has a dry mouth, nausea, dizziness, and mental confusion. After the animal is rehydrated, it may suffer lasting effects, one of the most common being a significant loss of nephrons, which are the functional units of the kidneys, and develop chronic kidney disease, for example.
Pet Med – Is fresh water always the best option for pets?
Simone Regina Argenton-Perrella – What is fresh water? Fresh water is not ice-cold water that causes discomfort. Dogs and cats prefer water at a temperature close to 15-20°C, while people prefer water from 8°C upwards. However, there are differences according to ambient temperature and individual preferences. Some animals love to chew on ice cubes, while others prefer water closer to 25°C.
"Fresh water" is water that resembles running water, especially for cats, provided in bowls made of pleasant materials such as ceramic, clay, or stainless steel, always clean, in quiet places, away from feces and urine, often far from the food bowl, in various locations around the house, in the shade, and changed several times a day.
Pet Med – We're nearing the end of the interview, so what general advice would you give pet owners to ensure their pets are always well-hydrated and healthy?
Simone Regina Argenton-Perrella – Pet owners need to understand that animals are omniscient, meaning they feel pain, fear, insecurity, sadness, joy, and comfort, but often they cannot make themselves understood. Therefore, spending time with your pet will help you discover their needs, whether physiological or psychological. Animals are excellent companions, bringing many benefits to our families; they are part of it, even if we don't believe it. I am sure that by observing and monitoring your pet's water intake, you will understand your own needs and those of other family members, regardless of how that family is structured.
Pet Med – Finally, use the space below to supplement your contribution by adding any other information you consider important that was not covered during the interview.
Simone Regina Argenton-Perrella – I like to compare providing water to a pet with providing water to our own. We should drink water when we feel thirsty, but how many times do we give up on a glass of water because it's far away, at an unpleasant temperature (too hot or too cold), dirty, with a strong smell, in an unpleasant or unsafe environment, made of poor-quality material, or in the rush of the day? Animals also "give up" on their "glass" of water if it's not pleasant or if they only drink the bare minimum.
Therefore, clean food bowls made of materials such as metal, ceramic, or glass, in a safe, distraction-free environment, at a pleasant temperature, tasteless, odorless, and colorless, available at all times for 24 hours, encourage adequate food intake for a healthy animal.
