Dogs can get dehydrated, just like people. There are some situations that are more likely to cause this issue. Hiking, going to the beach, or going on a long run can all lead to dog dehydration. Dogs are bred to please their owners, and they are not likely to complain about the fact that they are thirsty until they are seriously dehydrated. Many dog owners do not catch the signs of dehydration soon enough, and this can lead to an emergency situation.
When your dog is dehydrated, they can suffer organ failure, weakness, and even pass out. You will want to be sure that you take steps to prevent dehydration which can lead to major health risks. Even if your dog is not exerting, you will need to be sure that your pet has access to water at all times. There are various water solutions that can be used to make sure that your dog does not get dehydrated.
Protecting Your Dog from Dehydration
If you’re ready to learn more about the process of protecting your dog from dehydration, you need to read on!
1. Bring a Water Bowl with You
When you head out to do activities in the heat or to go hiking or running, you should take a portable bowl with you to give your dog water. You will also want to pack some bottled water just in case there is no water in the park or area that you are hiking at. Many public locations will offer you access to water, even if it is only provided at human drinking fountains, but it is wise to be prepared.
When you bring a collapsible bowl with you, you can make sure that your dog gets enough water to recover from being hot or exerting. Dogs cannot drink from a bottle, so you will want to be sure that your dog can drink from a bowl. Collapsible bowls are very affordable and can easily clip onto a bag or belt, so they are not hard to bring along on your outdoor adventures.
2. Provide Water Outdoors
Many people will forget to put water outside for their dogs. They think that their dog will not need access to water when they are only outside for a while to go to the bathroom. The trouble with this line of thinking is that dogs can get quite hot when outside in the sun, and if you leave them outdoors for a while to take care of someone at the door or because you have forgotten about them being outside, this can lead to dehydration.
It is all too common for dogs that have been put outside in a backyard to get very sick because they got dehydrated. Make sure that your dog does not suffer this fate by providing a source of clean water for them to access both indoors and outdoors.
3. Make Sure Water is Clean
Not all dogs are picky about the cleanliness of the water that they drink, but some dogs will forgo drinking if they are not offered clean water. This can be a major issue if the weather is hot, or you do not have air conditioning in your home. Make sure that your dog’s water is kept clean so that they are invited to drink as often as they wish.
Keeping the water that you offer your dog clean is also a good idea just to make sure that they will not get sick from drinking dirty water. Water bowls that have not been cleaned can grow all kinds of organisms that are not good for your dog’s overall health.
How Much Water Does My Dog Need?
Your dog will need to ingest about an ounce of water per pound of body weight when they are exerting. They might need more than this is the weather is very hot. Dogs are not efficient sweaters, so they have trouble cooling themselves without enough moisture in their body. You will not want to impede the cooling process by adding dehydration to the mix.
Check the Weather
Make sure that you think about the temperature before you take your dog out for a fun adventure. Even if you bring water along with you, sometimes the weather is just too hot for dogs to effectively cool themselves off. Many dogs die each year from heatstroke due to owners bringing them along on hikes and runs when the weather is too hot. As a good rule of thumb, and to protect your dog from heatstroke, if it is more than 80 degrees out, it is probably too hot for your dog to go running or hiking with you. If hot weather sneaks up on you when you are already out engaging in an activity, make sure to provide your dog with lots of water and stop frequently for them to rest.
Preventing Dehydration in Dogs is Critical
Dogs are not very good at recovering from a dehydrated state and avoiding this condition in the first place is the best way to make sure that your dog does not suffer a serious health issue related to a lack of water intake. Offering your dog clean water, no matter if they are indoors or outdoors is important. Making sure that you bring a bowl with you to offer water when on adventures is critical as well.
Make sure that you do not bring your dog with you on adventures in the heat and try to keep them from exerting too much in the sun, even if they are playing in the backyard. There are many ways to keep your dog from getting dehydrated, and you will need to be sure that you do not expose your dog to unnecessary risks related to heat and a lack of water. Dogs are good about drinking when they need to rehydrate, so providing enough water is often all that you need to do to keep them from getting dehydrated.
For additional tips about protecting your dog from dehydration talk with your Northern Pike Veterinary Hospital veterinarian by calling 412-373-8580!