Water is a chemical compound of hydrogen and oxygen atoms linked in a ratio of two hydrogen atoms to one oxygen atom (H2O). Water is the most essential nutrient required by all animals to sustain life.

Water isn't usually considered a nutrient. However, water is regarded as the most critical nutrient in the diet. Water is the solvent that dissolves and transports substances throughout the body. Water aids in regulating body temperature and provides body shape and durability.

Hydrolysis chemical processes require water (e.g., enzymatic digestion of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats).

Water has a high specific heat (the heat required to elevate one gram of water by one degree Celsius). Significant variations in heat production can occur within an animal with relatively little change in body temperature. This characteristic also allows for the circulation of heat through the body. 

When water evaporates from the skin and respiratory tract, it serves to regulate body temperature. Because large amounts of heat are required to evaporate small quantities of water, a large amount can be lost when only a small amount of water is lost.

Clinical dehydration can occur when there is a significant negative water balance. Without water, there is often a loss of skin elasticity. Water is also responsible for lubricating joints and eyes, offering protective padding for the nervous system, and aiding in gas exchange in respiration by keeping the lungs' alveoli moist and inflated.

Water is one of the most important components of an animal's body, accounting for 40 to 80 percent of the total body weight. The amount of water in an animal's body varies depending on its species, health, and age. Adipose tissue, or fat tissue, includes 10 to 15% water and 75 to 80 percent fat, whereas lean body mass has 70 to 80 percent water and 20 to 25 percent protein. Animals that are younger and leaner tend to have more body water. On the other hand, Fatter animals have a lower body water content.

Because animals consume less food per unit of body weight as they age, they require proportionately less water on a weight basis, resulting in reduced urine water loss. Adult animals also have a smaller surface area per unit of body weight, leading to reduced skin evaporation.

Water helps flush toxins out of your dog's body. The kidneys are vital organs that help excrete waste products. To maintain a healthy functioning kidney, your pet must consume approximately five to seven cups daily. If your dog has been drinking more water than usual, consult your veterinarian to determine if this could be a clinical sign of a medical issue.

Salinity, nitrates and nitrites, harmful organic and inorganic compounds, and microbial contamination can influence water quality. 

The concentration of all elements dissolved in water is referred to as "total dissolved solids (TDS), " a common way to quantify water quality. TDS is synonymous with salinity (salt content of water) as a measure of total ionic concentration in fresh water. 

Water with a TDS level of fewer than 5,000 parts per million (ppm or mg/l) is typically considered safe for human consumption. However, water with a TDS maximum level for livestock and poultry is 7,000 ppm. Although TDS values for livestock and poultry are presumed to apply to dogs and cats, the superior choice for dogs and cats is to use the value of less than 5000 ppm TDS as it is deemed safe for human consumption.

Because the water source consumed by dogs and cats is often the same as that consumed by people, standard water quality tests (e.g., nitrates, sulfates, bacterial contamination) can usually be addressed through local public health departments. Water quality concerns (toxic inorganic compounds or pesticides) must be addressed by testing at commercial analytical laboratories that screen water for pesticide residues and other pollutants.

You can check your water quality with a web visit to the National Drinking Water Database of the EWG . You can receive your state's water officials' report on your water quality by simply entering your zip code and choosing your utility. You can also get a copy of your local water utility company's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). This annual report lists every contaminant found in the water supply in your community.

Water "hardness," or the ratio of calcium and magnesium salts to calcium carbonate, has little impact on the health of dogs and cats. High magnesium levels in hard water have been linked to feline urolithiasis; however, the quantity of magnesium consumed in drinking water is negligible compared to the amount taken in diet (usually a 10,000-fold difference). Consumption of distilled water rather than hard water treated with a sodium chloride water softener may benefit cats prone to urolithiasis.

Nitrates are widely distributed in the environment, and when considerable concentrations are present in drinking water, they can pose a health risk to all creatures. Although dogs and cats can handle low concentrations of nitrate ions (NO3) in drinking water, nitrite (NO2, the reduced form of nitrate) is easily absorbed and can be hazardous. 

Nitrites oxidize iron in hemoglobin to generate methemoglobin in hazardous quantities, lowering blood's oxygen-carrying capacity.

Nitrates in the water supply frequently indicate bacterial contamination. The conversion of nitrate to nitrite by bacteria is aided as the pH of the digestive tract rises. Bacteria can convert nitrate to nitrite in contaminated water sources.

The acceptable upper limit for human drinking water is ten ppm nitrogen, based on the total quantity of nitrogen obtained from the combination of nitrate (30.4 percent nitrogen) and nitrite (22.6 percent nitrogen). For dogs and cats, no safe top limits have been identified. Until studies are performed to determine the upper limits for dogs and cats, the standards for humans should be used for pet dogs and cats

The absence of coliform bacteria has long been considered a requirement for sanitary water quality for humans. Although not all coliform bacteria are pathogens, many are, and their presence implies that water can sustain infectious bacteria or viruses.

The presence of bacteria can also be predicted using the results of various qualitative tests performed on water samples. Chemical substances such as nitrites, nitrates, and phosphates are proportionately present with bacteria. If the amounts of these substances are high, the bacterial level will also be increased.

Water is required for every aspect of life, and water requirements are based on maintaining proper water balance. Body water is lost via urination, defecation, evaporation, and perspiration. The water lost is replaced either by water derived from the metabolism of nutrients or water consumed as a liquid. 

When hydrogen ions are split from energy-supplying components (carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins) during adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, oxygen is the final acceptor. This is known as metabolic water. Metabolic water is a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen, accounting for up to 10% of total water consumption.

Water consumed as food or drink provides most of the water dogs and cats require. Because commercial moist feeds have a higher water content (>75 percent water), animals eating them consume less water than those fed dry foods.

At a moderate ambient temperature, in mature, healthy, nonreproducing dogs and cats, the amount of water consumed will be around 2.5 times the amount of dry matter (DM) consumed as food. Clean, fresh water must be provided to pets at all times.

Even though dogs' daily water requirements are well documented, realistic estimations of daily water intake are less so. Animals of all sizes consume water to meet various demands, including physical and social aspects and metabolic requirements. 

The absolute requirement for water intake is influenced by body size, lactation, ambient temperature, type and amount of food consumed, health, stress, water losses, and individual animal variances.

Water deficits of more than a few percent of total body weight are unhealthy, and substantial water deficits (15-20 percent of body weight) are fatal. Although animals can survive weeks without food, water deprivation can cause death within days. 

Usually, thirst ensures that water consumption requirements are satisfied, if not exceeded. Inadequate water intake causes pets to consume less food, which affects growth, lactation, reproduction, and physical activity. Reduced water intake can be caused by a lack of water, poor water quality, or too hot or cold water. 

Water intoxication is extremely rare in normal, healthy dogs. However,  dogs that drink large amounts of water can be at a higher risk for bloating and gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV); offering small to moderate amounts of water and limiting drinking to 30 minutes before heavy exercise is best. Providing small bowls around the house can prevent a dog from gulping too much water at once. 

Check the water quality in your area to ensure it’s safe for both you and your dogs. 

Provide your dog with safe drinking water at all times. Water should not be limited.

If your water is not up to par with proper standards, providing bottled water or installing a filtration system must reduce the risk of infection or disease.

Total Water Intake and Urine Measures of Hydration in Adult Dogs Drinking Tap Water or a Nutrient-Enriched Water - PMC 

The Value of Water

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