It’s no news that beverages are a hot topic in the wellness world. Green juices with more vegetables than a salad, fermented tea in the form of kombucha, red wine to improve heart health — the list goes on and on. We may not think about it as much, but what we drink can be just as important as what we eat.
In thinking about the effect beverages can have on overall health, you might be wondering: Can the beneficial drinks we make for ourselves also be good for our pets? And if not, is there anything special they should be drinking? Well, let’s find out!
What to avoid giving your pet
No more milk
Although dogs and cats do nurse when they are young, most develop lactose intolerance as they age and can experience a lot of digestive discomfort from drinking milk. The high levels of fat in cow’s milk can also lead to digestive issues and even more serious conditions, such as pancreatitis. However, if you are adamant about letting your kitten lap up the milk she enjoys so much, opt for goat’s milk as it is lower in lactose and still has many essential vitamins.
Stay away from fruit juice
If you want to feed your pet fruit, which is a great way to give them nutrients, they should eat it in its whole form. Also, be extra wary of grapes, like in juice or wine, as even small quantities can cause kidney failure in animals.
Caffeine is a no-go
Caffeine acts similarly on pets as it does on humans, but the effect is much more amplified. Small amounts of caffeine act as strong stimulants to pets and can lead to restlessness, vomiting, rapid heart rate and increased thirst. So when your pet needs a pick-me-up, stick to treats and toys and save the coffee for yourself.
What your pet should be drinking
Water is #1 for hydration
No surprise here — it turns out that water is the safest and healthiest option for your pets. It is the best way for them to rehydrate without extra sugars or ingredients that can be harmful to them. A good guideline for how much your dog should be drinking daily is about a half ounce to one ounce per pound of body weight. This means, if your standard poodle weighs 50 pounds, make sure they are getting at least 25 to 50 ounces of water every day, increasing that number if you take them on an extra-long walk or they get high amounts of exercise. Monitor your dog’s water intake as best you can because, ideally, they should drink their daily amount through smaller doses spread out every couple of hours.
Buy a six-pack
Beer for a dog? Not quite. This innovative company makes non-alcoholic, broth-based beers for dogs that come in authentic-looking bottles. Called Bowser Beer, it’s made of chicken or beef broth, barley, glucosamine and added vitamins for a nutritional boost. Now, you can crack a cold one with your dog like you have always wanted to — just don’t mix up the bottles!
Wine not have a glass?
There are also officially wine products on the market for both cats and dogs. Of course, these companies aren’t actually selling wine for pets (remember: no grapes for your furry friends), but just like Bowser Beer, they are bottling up pet-friendly ingredients in fun, realistic-looking packages.
Apollo Peak makes their cat version with catnip, beets and other natural ingredients, such as peppermint. The dog wine uses calming ingredients, such as chamomile, and adds flavors such as chicken and apple to make it appealing to your pup.
Bone broth brew
Bone broth can be very beneficial for both humans and dogs alike. It may aid with digestion, and it provides essential vitamins and minerals. This recipe is a simple, healthy, fun way to spice up dogs’ diets and keep them at their healthiest! (Your cat may even enjoy this recipe too!)
Ingredients
1 cup low-sodium bone broth
1 cup water
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. dried parsley
Directions
Mix ingredients together and store in rinsed-out beer bottles to add some fun to your and your dog’s daily routine.