Need help with hydration

[riograndegsp]

So my 3yr old female gsp has had a uti and constipation in the last week. She had to have an enema to get things moving, the vet said there was no obstruction, she just needs more fiber/she could be dehydrated. Now she has a uti, so I'm sure it's a dehydration issue. She has access to fresh water all day and I have began adding water to her food (Pro Plan) so she is forced to get more water. Does anyone have additional suggestions for getting more fluids in her?

[ezzy333]

Add a little beet pulp to her diet that has been soaked for a few hours. It will add fluid and fiber which will help a lot.

Ezzy

[nanney1]

I've read that mushers add fish meal to the water to get their dogs to drink more.

[Kiki's Mom]

Salt does make them drink more Ezzy...beet pulp can be found by buying frsh beets and putting them through the blender or is it available commercially processed? Canned Pumpkin works well too....

[mcbosco]

apples are the easiest thing to feed if your dog is a little tight, you can buy beet pulp at a feed store but you wont need that much and apples are better anyway

[dog dr]

So my 3yr old female gsp has had a uti and constipation in the last week. She had to have an enema to get things moving, the vet said there was no obstruction, she just needs more fiber/she could be dehydrated. Now she has a uti, so I'm sure it's a dehydration issue. She has access to fresh water all day and I have began adding water to her food (Pro Plan) so she is forced to get more water. Does anyone have additional suggestions for getting more fluids in her?

make sure there isnt a reason for the dehydration, like kidney issues, diabetes, etc. Is she urinating more than normal??

[ezzy333]

Salt does make them drink more Ezzy...beet pulp can be found by buying frsh beets and putting them through the blender or is it available commercially processed? Canned Pumpkin works well too....

I have never found fresh sugar beets in a store plus you would want to take some at least of the sugar out of them. Don't know if regular beets would work but I agree most any vegetable or fruit would work. But you need to look at Dog DR comment since that is the important place to start. There is a reason the dog is dehydrated.

Ezzy

[mcbosco]

will she eat cranberries?

[nitrex]

Ezzy,

Is the beet pulp they sell at feed stores and Tractor Supply for horses the same thing you are recommending? If so, it is pretty cheap and one bag would last a long time!!

Nitrex

[ezzy333]

Yep, and thats the problem. It isn't packaged as far as I know in smaller bags. the main usage for straight beet pulp is for horses and show cattle plus occasional use immediately before and after birthing in many animals. It helps reduce the amount of heat produced which lessens swelling and mastitis problems. It helps fill the animal up without adding a lot of calories during those periods.

Ezzy

[mcbosco]

rice bran is a really good fiber for dogs and you don't have to buy big bags of it, its highly perishable though

[ezzy333]

Rice bran should last forever if its kept dry. We have used rice or wheat bran for many many years in feed and always bought it by the box car which was usually around 30 ton at a time. It does work well as a laxative if there is moisture there to help. As far as hydration it has no value though like beet pulp or any semi-fresh vegetable.

Ezzy

[shets114]

Rice bran as long as it's stabilized will last awhile...