Water fulfills many needs for the dog. Water is an excellent solvent and is the main component of blood. Water provides transportation for blood, nutrients, antibodies and waste. Temperature regulation such as heat loss due to evaporation and removal of heat from internal organs out to the skin surface are other functions that water provides. Lastly, water is essential for digestion and urine production.
Water is important.
The dog's skin does not perspire like ours, so when he is hot he will pant to get rid of excess heat losing water in the process. The foot pads do sweat. Because the dog does not sweat through his skin he does not lose salt such as with us or the horse therefore salt is not an important ingredient in a dog's diet. Can be frozen in ice cube containers and given to lick. Lite salt - potassium chloride, is used by human athletes and race horses to replace potassium loss after heavy muscular activity.