Mojo doesn’t need water, he needs coconut water!

Signs that your pet is becoming dehydrated can include drooling, licking lips (as if they had just eaten), body tremors, rapid breathing* (more than 30 breaths/minute at rest), rapid pulse** (over 240/ minute), lethargy, lack of appetite, vomitting food or hairballs (in cats), hot ears, dry nose.

Coconut water is an excellent hydrating liquid for when the heat and AC creates added stress on your pet’s health. Coconut water contains meaningful amounts of Magnesium, Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Sodium in an easily absorbed form. Some animals will drink coconut water but if yours doesn’t, you can use a 1 mL plastic syringe (1/4 inch opening, ask your veteranarian or pharmacist) to squirt up to 3 mL which equals 3 cc at a time. Wait and see if your pet’s symptoms resolve.

Adding water or chicken broth to your pets’ food is another way to make sure they take extra hydration. Create a slurry and try different amounts of water. Test to see what your pet prefers.

Sometimes an animal will act confused, not seeking the coolest place in the house. Help your pet find a cooler place and stay with her until she settles down.

If your pet does not respond to these interventions or if the symptoms become worse, call your veterinarian or animal hospital.

* Watch your cats respiration, one inhalation and exhalation (up and down) equals one breath

** Feel heart beat by placing your hands over your cat’s ribcage just behind the elbow (in the middle of the ribcage)

* and ** count the number during 15 seconds and then multiple by 4 to calculate the number in a minute

Comments are closed.