How to Protect Your Pet from Dog Dehydration in Limerick, PA
Protecting your dog from dehydration is important. When your dog exerts in the heat or is not provided enough water for their daily needs, they can become dangerously dehydrated. Dogs cannot sweat the way that people do and being provided too little water can make them inefficient at cooling off their bodies.
If you are concerned that your dog might be at risk for dehydration, you need to make sure that you are prepared for situations where there might not be water on hand. This can include bringing a water bowl with you and a separate bottle of water for your dog when you are hiking or traveling. Dogs can get dehydrated more easily than you might think, and they might not have a good way to tell you that they are thirsty before they are sick.
Why Do Dogs Get Dehydrated?
Dogs can become dehydrated when they are not provided access to clean water during the day, even if they are at home. It is more common for dogs to become seriously dehydrated when they are exerting. Playing hard at the beach, hiking in the heat, or running with their owner can lead to dehydration if they are not provided with water while they are being active.
Dogs need to be provided with quite a lot of water when they are exerting. You will want to make sure that you have a bottle of water for your dog to drink when you are taking them away from home to play or hike. Your dog might have access to water along the way if you are in a park where water is provided, but it is always wise to assume that there will be no water source to access for your dog’s needs.
Symptoms of Dehydration
Dogs that are dangerously dehydrated might show the following symptoms:
- Dry skin that tents when pinched
- Dry and sticky gums
- Loss of appetite
- Panting
- Dry nose
- Sunken eyes
- Collapse
- Shock
- Vomiting
Dogs that are severely dehydrated might simply fall down and refuse to move. Dogs with life-threatening dehydration might also have seizures.
How to Protect Your Dog from Becoming Dehydrated
When you are hiking with your pet or running, you can use these steps to make sure that your dog does not become dehydrated. You should also be sure that you provide clean and fresh water at all times. Dogs can require a lot of water a day. Most dogs will need an ounce of water per each pound of their body weight. Dogs also cannot drink adequately from a bottle, so you will always need to remember that a bowl is necessary for your dog to be able to drink properly.
1. Always Bring a Bowl with You
When you are leaving the house, you will always want to bring a bowl with you so that your dog can get the water that they need. There are many collapsible travel bowls that can be purchased that take up very little space in your bag. Some of them even clip onto a belt or a bag. Having a bowl with you is critical to making sure that your dog stays hydrated no matter where you go or what you do.
2. Avoid the Heat of the Day
Your dog will have trouble cooling down during the hottest part of the day in the summer. When the temperature is more than of eighty degrees, you should consider it too hot for your dog to be outside exerting. The pads of your dog’s feet might be burned by concrete or stone when the temperature is this high, and you should also be aware that they will be unlikely to be able to cool themselves adequately by panting.
If you are outside with your dog and the weather gets hotter than you expected, make sure to find some shade and give your dog water. You can also wet your dog’s coat to help them to cool off. Caring for your dog when it has become too hot is critical if you want to prevent dehydration. The sooner you can bring down your dog’s temperature, the better.
3. Make Sure Water is Clean
When your dog does not have access to clean water or freshwater, they might choose not to drink. Even if your dog is not exerting or it is not hot, they can still become dehydrated if they elect not to drink all day. Dirty water bowls or water that tastes bad might cause your dog to refuse to drink. Clean water is very important to your dog’s well-being, and you need to make sure that they have access to water that is fit to drink every day. This can make a big difference in your dog’s health daily.
Dehydrated Dogs Can Become Very Sick or Even Die
Avoiding dog dehydration is critical to your dog’s well-being. Dogs that are severely dehydrated will need to see their veterinarian for medical attention right away and still might not make it if they are too dehydrated. Preventing dehydration is easier than you might think. Bringing water with you when you and your dog leave home is important to their well-being, and you will also want to have a collapsible bowl or a regular bowl with you. Making sure that your dog can drink requires that you have a bowl with you at all times.
If your dog shows signs of dehydration, you need to rush them to the vet for IV fluids and other care. Getting immediate care for your dog that is dehydrated can be the difference between them surviving the condition and not making it. Always make sure that you do not assume that your dog will be okay without water for an extended period of time. It is always better to be prepared to take care of your dog than to be caught in a bad spot that could cause your dog serious harm.
Call (610) 489-2848 or book an appointment online to talk with your Limerick Veterinary Hospital veterinarian about your pet’s care.