Water: A Nutritional Requirement Veterinary & Aquatic Services
Department, Drs. Foster & Smith  Water is the most important of
all the nutrients. An animal can loose all of its fat and half
of its protein and survive, but only a 10% loss of body water
causes serious illness. Water constitutes 84% of a newborn puppy
and 60% of an adult dog. Water is necessary for almost every
function the animal body performs. While critical in life, some
animals have adapted to having very little of it around. Some
northern sled dogs will go months without any liquid water,
surviving on consumed snow and ice. Lions in the Kalahari Desert
will go up to four months, surviving on only the moisture
derived from their prey. Hibernating bears will sometimes go for
six months or longer without taking in any water and deliver and
nurse cubs at the same time! Yet on a hot day, the average dog
or cat can become dehydrated in only a few hours if fresh water
is not present. Water is so essential that it is often taken for
granted. Consid