Pets may be more likely to drink water from their bowls with this special ingredient
Pets, particularly cats, are instinctively put off by warm or stale water dishes. And, with up to 38°C heat baking parts of the country, drinking bowls quickly turn from an important lifeline into something animals will usually turn their noses up at.
This creates a major issue, as without proper hydration, all the natural ways that these animals use to stay cool will just not be enough. Hydration matters for pets during a heatwave because water is their primary tool for temperature regulation, helping prevent fatal heatstroke and keep their vital organs functioning.
When pets overheat, they lose water rapidly through panting or grooming and cannot cool down without replacing those fluids. Pet owners who find that their beloved animals aren’t interested in their drinks can try one method that is backed by Gaia Musotti, a UK-based canine nutritionist.
Gaia claims that her dog Rusty “simply doesn’t drink enough”, especially when the weather is scorching hot. In an Instagram clip, the specialist claims that adding the water from tinned fish seems to help.
She said: “One trick that works really well for Rusty is adding about a teaspoon of the water from sardines canned in water to his bowl and giving it a good stir. The smell makes the water much more appealing and he usually drinks the whole bowl.”
In a similar video posted when the UK temperatures first crept up beyond 30°C, she said: “During a heatwave, dogs can easily drink less than they need, especially if they’re unsettled, tired, or just not feeling themselves in the heat. My number one tip to keep your dog hydrated during a heatwave is really simple.
“Take a tin of sardines, mackerel or salmon in spring water only. Not in tomato sauce, olive oil or added salt. Open the tin and pour just the liquid into their water bowl.
“That water now smells and tastes like fish, and most dogs will happily drink from it throughout the day, even when they’d normally turn their nose up at plain water.”
Gaia warned that this tempting trick is a “short-term solution only, and should not replace the usual access to clean and fresh drinking water throughout the year. She said: “[This is] just for use during the hottest part of the day to help your dog stay on top of their hydration.
“It’s not something to leave out for hours or use as an everyday fix. I’d especially recommend not leaving it out for long periods of time in the heat, because it can attract bacteria.”
Pet owners can pick up the right kind of tinned fish from places like Sainsbury’s (Sardines in Spring Water, 60p), Aldi (Tuna Chunks In Spring Water, 65p) or M&S (Danish Mackerel Fillets in Spring Water, £1.30). Avoid options that mention brine because the excessively high salt content can cause severe, life-threatening sodium poisoning in dogs and cats.
