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Is it ok to limit a pets access to water or if it was necessary to leave water down all day?
Please, unless your vet tells you to withhold water such as right before an anesthetic procedure, you really need to leave water available to your cats and dogs free choice. Do not just put water down when you feed them once or twice a day or at sporadic intervals that fits your schedule. A lack of water may cause dehydration which can lead to kidney damage, bladder infections, intestinal upset as well as possibly causing other organ dysfunction’s if your pet is on any medication. In addition, if your pet is restricted from water, when the bowl is finally offered, your pet may overdrink and throw up. It is not likely that your pet would be able to drink all the water its body needs during that short interval you offer the water bowl. It is perfectly ok to limit feedings to 20 minutes twice a day, but do not limit water!
There are many products available to help keep your pets eating and drinking area from being untidy. Either pet stores or home improvement stores can offer you a variety of options.
During the summer, pets get hot and cannot sweat like humans. Heat can only be dissipated from the pads of their feet and from panting. With high humidity, sometimes their panting and being in shade will not prevent heat stroke. Inside and outside pets must have access to fresh clean water every day, all day.
In the winter, pets whose bowls are outside must have them checked for freezing at least twice a day. It may be cold enough for a water bowl to freeze over even if it is not freezing on the road surfaces.
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