How much salt would you put in it so it won't freeze??
2007-01-16 06:02:26 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
OK first off the water isn't for my dog it is for the squirrels I feed and provide water for, guess I should have clarified that in the first place. I know we human's cannot drink water containing salt- but will it harm wild animals such as squirrels and rabbits and racoons??
2007-01-16 06:16:55 · update #1
Squirrels are no different than any other animal. They need fresh water. Salt water dehydrates animals of any kind, and they are worse off than they would have been with no water at all. Not to mention the fact that the amount of salt required to keep water from freezing would make it totally unpalatable. If these are wild squirrels, they must have a source of water nearby, or they probably wouldn't be living there, so don't worry about them. Or, if you're just trying to be kind, put a heated water bowl out. If they are pets, you should really rethink the idea of having wild animals for pets, anyway. No matter how tame they same, they are still wild, and cannot be happy as pets. But please, no salt in the water.
2007-01-16 06:45:48 · answer #1 · answered by Rayen 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
That's very sweet of you to think of the squirrels during cold weather. I wouldn't advise putting salt in the water, however. Salt tends to cause thirst. That's why drinking water from the ocean will never quench your thirst. Squirrels are usually adept at finding sources of water. Food, on the other hand, is not so easy to come by. Good for you. Obviously your heart is in the right place.
If you're still keen on offering water, you could try the heated bowl, or one of those water dishes that rotate the water repeatedly (running water does not freeze). You could also start with luke warm water, which will not freeze as quickly, and just refresh it several times a day.
Good luck.
2007-01-16 14:48:06 · answer #2 · answered by CC 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You should buy a heated water bowl at the farm supply store or walmart. We have one, its eletric and it keeps the water from freezing. The bowls come in different sizes.
I wouldn't put salt in the water.
The bowl is fairly inexpensive, and you can use it every year.
2007-01-16 17:43:37 · answer #3 · answered by nokhada5 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You shouldn't add salt to a pet's bowl, the animal will still have to drink it and drinking saltwater is not healthy. Just change the water frequently, or perhaps bring your dog inside?
2007-01-16 14:06:27 · answer #4 · answered by Angelini 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If you put anything outside when it is cold it would freeze, even coke...lol. Think about it this way. If you can put it info a freezer inside your house for 4 hours and you pull it out and it is not frozen then you can sit it outside but normally when you put a can or bottle of pop in a freezer it explodes because it freezes and expands. So no putting salt in water will not make it not freeze, look at glaciers is Antartica, their made of salt water.
2007-01-16 14:11:06 · answer #5 · answered by James A 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Salt is not good for your pets.
Go to Petsmart and buy a heated water bowl (Low temp, keeps it above freezing)
2007-01-16 14:06:40 · answer #6 · answered by Yo LO! 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
DO NOT feed you pet SALT WATER!! It can cause dehydration!! Maybe CHANGE the water 2-4 times each day like the rest of us!!
NEWS FLASH!!!!! NO ANIMALS ARE GOING TO DRINK SALT WATER!!! It causes DEHYDRATION and wild animals KNOW that!!! Do not bother!!!!!!
2007-01-16 14:06:35 · answer #7 · answered by ARE YOUR NEWFS GELLIN'? 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Your pet doesn't want to drink salt water.
2007-01-16 14:05:46 · answer #8 · answered by * 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If it's cold enough outside for water to freeze, your pets should NOT be out there. In that case, there will be no water to freeze.
2007-01-16 14:06:18 · answer #9 · answered by Yoyo 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the squirrels wont drink water with salt in it they prefer to lick snow...
2007-01-16 17:43:08 · answer #10 · answered by syndi49time 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋