You may have guessed it – the essential nutrient that all living things require to survive – but do you know what the most important nutrient the body needs is?
You may have guessed it, but water is the most crucial nutrient that all living things need to survive. Do you know what the most important nutrient the body needs is? Even if an animal loses almost all of its body fat and more than half of its protein, losing just 10% of its water content will cause it to die.
Why is that, then? Many body tissues are made up of between 70% and 90% water, and all animal life forms are roughly 65% to 75% water. For the majority of metabolic processes and chemical reactions to occur, water must be present within cells and in many tissues. (Chapter 4 of my book, “Living Enzymes: The World’s Best Kept Pet Food Secret,” goes into more detail about this.) ” ).
Water is crucial for controlling a variety of bodily processes, including body temperature, the hydrolysis of large molecules into smaller ones, which helps with digestion, and the kidneys’ elimination of waste.
As you can see, it’s crucial for all animals, including humans and dogs, to maintain a healthy balance of water in their bodies.
When they notice their dog is drinking significantly less water, many new raw feeders or BARFers who are aware of the significance of water in their pet’s daily diet will express their concerns to me.
You see, these new BARFers are used to their dog drinking A LOT of water when eating a cooked, dry dog food diet, but after switching their cherished pet to a water-rich, raw meat diet (BARF), the dog’s needs for extra water are significantly reduced.
This is due to the difference in moisture content between a BARF diet and a dry dog food diet, which has an average moisture content of 70%.
A BARF-fed dog will therefore obtain the majority of his daily water requirements from his diet rather than an external water source, such as his water bowl.
The benefit of giving your pet water from the food instead of the bowl is that his body will be able to use the moisture from the food much more effectively. Our pets’ natural thirst-quenching mechanism comes from the food they eat. This significant distinction serves as yet another argument in favor of feeding a diet high in raw foods.
Of course, for our pets to maintain the proper levels of body moisture, they still need access to an external water source. It is equally crucial to provide your companion animals with the external moisture they need by using distilled water (rather than tap water). If at all possible, try to keep your dog away from a chlorinated water source because it creates a toxic environment for them. It is not surprising that so many dogs today experience allergies and skin rashes.
The food and water that our pets consume can be signs of poor health!
So let the food serve as your dog’s main source of water and add distilled water as a supplement to his bowl as you watch your dog’s health start to significantly improve.
Robert Mueller, BSc, Pharm. is a licensed pharmacist, co-developer of BARF World’s BARF diet patties, nuggets, and supplements, and author of “Living Enzymes: The World’s Best Kept Pet Food Secret.” BARF World was the first company to make the Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods (BARF) diet easily accessible to animals everywhere. His wife and their dog, Moxie, a Yorkshire Terrier/Maltese mix, love to travel the world. Register for “The Intelligent Pet” monthly e-zine at www.theintelligentpet.com for more articles like these and to learn more about the advantages of feeding your pets raw food. barfworld. com .
The Hydro Pet Automatic Pet Water Bowl
Our dog’s water dish is always filled with fresh water thanks to the Hydro Pet’s automatic watering system.
We haven’t been able to install The Hydro Pet yet because of the storms in the Pacific Northwest, but after doing some research, I’m excited about this product and want to set up one on our deck, one in our dog’s yard, and one close to the well on our property. This includes the areas of the yard where our dogs spend the most time when we are outside.
Making Sure My Dogs Drink Enough Water
Our dogs do a fantastic job of staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Only in the summer, when they are more preoccupied with playing or exploring than drinking water, do I have issues with them. I increase the amount of water in their meal on hot days to make sure they stay hydrated.
On our property, there are ponds and a creek that are filled with fresh water. But I’m concerned about any potential bacteria because our dogs drink from them. We were unable to determine the cause of Scout’s illness last year.
I tried placing water dishes outside, around the property, but theyre difficult to keep filled, to keep clean, and to keep upright (the dogs always tip them over). At SuperZoo, I saw several outdoor water fountains and considered buying a few until I saw the price tag. Lucky for us, we received a product called The Hydro Pet Automatic Pet Water Bowl to try with our dogs in exchange for our honest thoughts.
More moisture in the diet is beneficial for cats in particular. They struggle to consume enough water on a dry diet to stay hydrated because they have a low thirst drive.
Since Big Dog food is made entirely from raw, natural ingredients, it has a naturally high moisture content of about 70%. Comparatively, the moisture content of dry pet food is only about 10%. If your dog or cat recently switched to a raw diet, they will have significantly increased their water intake just from food. This is just one of the many benefits of raw food for kidney health. If a pet is healthy, active, and has normal bowel habits while eating a raw diet, it is normal for them to drink less water, so there is no need to be concerned. However, if they appear ill or if you notice unusual urination habits in them (such as passing urine more frequently or in strange places), take them to the vet for a checkup.
FAQ
How much water should a dog drink on raw diet?
How Much Water Should a Raw Fed Dog Drink. According to Dr. “A healthy dog should drink between 12 and 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight each day,” according to Karen Becker. Therefore, a 65-pound Labrador Retriever in good health needs to consume 33 to 65 ounces, or 1/4 to 1/2 gallon, of water each day. ”.
Should I add water to raw dog?
Although you could theoretically rehydrate with cold water, warm water makes the aroma of raw food more noticeable. The smell makes it more appealing to dogs. There are also some picky dogs who love raw food when it has been rehydrated with warm water or bone broth but dislike it when it is served straight from the bag.
Does raw food make dogs thirsty?
Because raw diets are higher in moisture, your dog won’t need as much water to stay hydrated and properly digest it. Other thirst factors include illness, lactation, age, and medications. How Often Should I Change Water?.
Why do vets not recommend raw diets?
The American Kennel Club (AKC), American Veterinary Medical Association, and other organizations advise against giving dogs uncooked or raw meat, eggs, or milk. Raw meat and dairy can carry pathogens, like E. Salmonella, E. coli, and listeria are bacteria that can kill people and pets.