Flavored Water

[TOY]

We get our Yorkie in a little over a month and my husband's and my last "debate" (both retired, no kids...LOL) was whether we think the flavored water I saw advertised is a good idea for a Yorkie.

I haven't ordered it yet. I hope some of you may know more about it. Here's what we surmised...
Pro: Anything that encourages drinking water has to be a plus. Many humans choose flavored water also.
Con: It could cause the Yorkie to no longer desire real water at all.
Pro: If the Yorkie is sick, having the flavored water might tempt her to drink resulting in better hydration and could possibly negate the need for an IV.
Con: Water is free. This will add yet another cost plus, what if you run out of water and she will no longer drink plain water?

These are just a few of the points that seemed to keep coming up in our discussion. Actually, I can see validity in both our opinions. I have almost reached the decision to purchase the product to use when she is not drinking well or is feeling yucky. What do you all think?

Here's some product info copied from the product's promo:

Higher intensity workouts requires a higher degree of energy production and fluid replacement. Dogs love the flavor of K9-Quencher and it has vitamins, electrolytes, and trace minerals that
your dog won't get from just plain water!

Also from their promo:

K9-Quencher is sold as a powdered drink mix, in a fun shaped dog-bone packet, which saves you money because of the high cost of shipping water. We leave you to choose the freshest water
source.

And this quote from an animal nutritionalist:

"I have reviewed K9-Quencher. All of the ingredients used in your product are approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials for use in animal feeds and supplements."

I still don't know if it's a good idea or not so I hope some of you will either share your opinion or tell me if you've tried anything like this. I can see an advantage when our Yorkie is sick but I don't want her to dislike plain water.

[lemonlauren]

Though I don't pretend to think it's worth much, here's my two cents...

If you really want to get it and it'll make you worry less to have it on hand, go for it, but only only use it if your pup isn't drinking at all otherwise. And you can't freak out if your pup just didn't drink quite as much water as the day before or something like that... every day is different, just like with us. I'd really only reserve it for emergencies. Yorkies and known to easily become picky eaters - I'd imagine they could become picky drinkers pretty easily as well, would would just cause even more stress for you.

Honestly though, it kinda sounds like another one of those dumb marketing things to get you to buy something you don't really need. Dogs like water, they drink water when they're thirsty. End of story really. And there are other tricks for convincing a sick pup to drink water too - I've gotten Nikko to drink the water I've boiled a boneless skinless chicken breast in when he was feeling really really sick and wouldn't take normal water. And no amount of electrolytes or whatever would have helped him any more than that chicken-water IMO... he still needed to go to the vet because he had coccidia and needed meds. And if your dog is overheated because he's run like crazy in the summer, I'd still choose ice water over something artificially pumped full of other weird stuff, as good as it might sound. Besides, I've heard that too much vitamins in the wrong combinations can be really pretty bad for a dog, particularly a pup.

So anyhow, sorry that was long-winded. Just when it seems like they've come up with it all, some marketing genius launches something I'd never even thought of!!! I'm constantly amazed. I'll be interested to hear other opinions on the product as well...

Lauren & Nikko

[SweetViolet]

Originally Posted by lemonlauren

... it kinda sounds like another one of those dumb marketing things to get you to buy something you don't really need...And there are other tricks for convincing a sick pup to drink water too - I've gotten Nikko to drink the water I've boiled a boneless skinless chicken breast in when he was feeling really really sick and wouldn't take normal water.

I totally agree with Lauren. Boiling a chicken and feeding your baby the cooled broth is an excellent way to get a dog to drink and it is free of chemicals and preservatives and salt.

If you are concerned about electrolytes, go to your nearest pharmacy and check the price of Pedialyte against the price of this flavoured water. Pedialyte is for infants (human) to counteract the effects of dehydration. I have used it successfully for stressed puppies back when I was a breeder. Get the unflavoured variety (and in small bottles) and pour it in with the broth...that way the puppy will get the electrolytes and the only flavour will be chicken, which you can replicate at will if your baby turns out to be picky.

AND you won't have to worry about running out of the fancy stuff!

Congratulations on your pending arrival (I've had my new baby for 5 days!). I hope you will post pics!

[TOY]

Thanks both of you for your replies. I also thought of something else after I had started the thread. I would definitely want to know the sugar content of something such as that...especially since dental problems appear to be a problem to watch with this breed.

I've written to the company and asked for a list of ingredients along with the % of sugar.

I also wanted to know why they are marketing it by the "package" rather than a smaller version for trial.

Thanks again for your posts.

[SweetViolet]

Originally Posted by TOY

I've written to the company and asked for a list of ingredients along with the % of sugar.

I also wanted to know why they are marketing it by the "package" rather than a smaller version for trial.

That's a very good idea. Don't be surprised if they are reluctant to reveal their contents, though...manufacturers are notoriously close-mouthed about their ingredients and often reveal no more than the law requires.

As far as their marketing goes...it is to maximize profit. If they let you buy little trial packets, they don't make as much money as selling a package. Obviously if you saw this via a national advertising campaign, they have sunk big bucks into the advertising and want to make it back as quickly as possible. What happens if you buy a small trial packet and your dog sniffs and walks away? You don't come back and buy that bigger package, and they don't get your money.

My baby is on bottled water for the time being to prevent stomach upsets as she transitions to her new home (same water and food the breeder used). I carry a small plastic bowl with snap-on lid when we go out, and a small bottle of her water. I seriously don't think she needs anything more...and neither should your pup!

[Miao]

My health (hair and teeth!) took a beating when I drank "flavoured water" daily (minimum 2 bottles) for maybe a little over a year. It took losing LOTS of hair to wake me up from the huge mistake. I blame the enabler. Back then, my mom would stock on cases upon cases of it like normal people do for bottles of spring water. So she was the supplier of "free" thirst quenchers. My boyfriend was smarter. He hardly touched the stuff so he has naturally thinned hair instead. LOL

Anyway, be careful of diabetes in people and dogs. Keeping it plain and simple is always the best way to go.

[chachi]

I would stick with plain water. Its all they need and Ive never had a problem getting mine to drink it

[Ellie May]

Hmmm, that is going to be one loved Yorkie.

To answer your question, I would not get it.
Once you start giving things that aren't "boring", they will expect it. Clean, fresh water is something they need to get used to. I would not give all that other stuff often. If they get sick, PediaLyte is fine. You may have to syringe it.

[mkawczak]

My Crew is very good about drinking and eating. We've never had any stomach issues. Their stools are great..on my rug sometimes .. but normal in size and texture,and smell "Thank God". I 've read alot of post about how sensative they can be,and I'm greatfull for good my dogs..all different ages and breeds. At least in the eating/drinking department...now potty training...that's another storey...