Water

• Did you know that water is considered the MOST IMPORTANT nutrient?

• Without a doubt water provides the foundation for all metabolism of all nutrients of the body.

• Water is the largest and heaviest component of the body, making dehydration a common threat to sick patients unwilling or unable to eat and drink.

Functions of Water• Volume effects the blood pressure of the animal• Water is a thermoregulator for body temperature• Transports solutes and gases (medium for all

chemical reactions)• Lubricates joints and eyes• Electrolyte balance• Is essential for absorption and metabolism of water

soluble vitamins like B and C• Is utilized by organs to maintain their functions;

kidney filtration

Water facts• Water makes up 84% of the weight of a

newborn puppy and 50-60% of the weight of adult dogs.

• Dog and cats require 30mL/lb/day

Water Losses• Urine

• Feces

• Insensible losses (skin and lungs)

• Sweat from sweat glands

Animals and Water

• The animal’s body requires 2 ½ times the volume of water compared to the volume of dried food every 24 hrs.

• If a dog gets 8 oz of dry food, you should give the dog 20 oz of water.

• In other words, if your dog gets 1 bowl of food, then it will need 2 ½ bowls of water.

Animal Dehydration Levels

• 4-5% - skin turgidity is lost• 7% - eyes are sunken with lose of skin

turgidity• 10% - all the above symptoms and

generally in lateral recumbency• Hydration can be evaluated exactly by

taking blood and evaluating the hematocrit (PCV) of the animal.