Keeping a dog hydrated in the winter

[bearhunter611]

I have an older dog that I have a hard time keeping hydrated when running him hard in the winter months. he will not eat even touch his food if its wet, so adding water to his food before giving it to him doesnt work. I use a heated water dish, but the dog still doesnt care to drink. He isnt that old, but its noticeable that he doesnt recooperate as well as he used to. The dog really doesnt like to eat dry dog food, so I feed him meat scraps along with his food when he's being run hard to keep weight on him. When my uncle was alive i remember him having some type of treats he fed his dogs before and after hunting that helped, but i dont know what they were. I'd be interested in purchasing a supplement if it would actually help. Any tips or suggestions?

[Shorty]

I've noticed a considerable increase in water consumption when feeding them hot dogs. I'm sure it's the salt in the hot dogs that causes this. May try lightly salting the meat scraps or hot dogs. Just a thought.

[chilcotin hillbilly]

The dog will drink when he needs to as long as he has water. I have one dog that eats snow so much he hardly touches his water.

[Jordan Run Walkers]

Got a bear dog that has a broken upper jaw and the vet said he needs to eat soft food. I ask about soaking his regular dog food in water till it was soft and was told never to do this because it can cause blouting and turn the stomach. Anyone else ever heard of this?

[bearhunter611]

Jordan Run, I havent had any problems with adding water to a dogs food, been doing it for a long time now. I had a dog that liked to eat and im not sure he even chewed his food. One day in the summer he ate all his food in the matter of seconds and decided to drink a lot of water. He ended up flipping his stomach when the food expanded in his belly, If the food has already been expanded it shouldnt have any effect on the dogs stomach. atleast I havent had a problem, and dont know of anyone else that has.

hillbilly, The dog does eat snow now and then, he might drink when he needs to but isnt keeping himself nearly hydrated. He's just stubborn and always had been and i'm sure he will be until the day he dies. Takes after his mother. His mother would run laps around the kennel all day long keeping herself in shape. He doesnt do this, but he only eats when needed and you'll never see the dog over wieght. Just makes it harder during running season to keep wieght on him.

[funstuff]

mix gatorade, powerade, vitamine water, etc. 1/2 and 1/2 with water. they do not need the full dose. he'll drink it, guaranteed.

[livetohunt]

[quote="funstuff"]mix gatorade, powerade, vitamine water, etc. 1/2 and 1/2 with water. they do not need the full dose. he'll drink it, guaranteed.[/quote]

x2
I have used gatorade mix with my water in the summer heat to help the dogs out and they love it.

[bearhunter611]

Sounds good I'll try it. I've wondered about trying that, I know the electrolytes are good for them.

[BlacktailStalker]

Gatorade is pure sugar.
Pedialyte might be healthier...