Dehydration is more than just a matter of thirst. For your dog, prolonged or chronic dehydration can have devastating effects on their urinary tract health, kidney function, and overall health and wellness. In this article, we’ll discuss the importance of hydration for dogs, how to identify if your dog is dehydrated, and look at ways to treat and prevent dehydration.
Why Hydration Matters
Water makes up about 70% of your dog’s body. As you can imagine, there are a number of important reasons that dogs should be properly hydrated. Proper water intake is crucial for regulating body temperature, maintaining energy levels, and maintaining electrolyte levels for nerve and muscle function. It also aids in digestion and transporting nutrients, supports urinary tract health (including kidney and liver function), and cushions joints. In addition, proper hydration supports skin elasticity and promotes a healthy, shiny coat. It also prevents dehydration-related organ failure and flushes out toxins.
In short, your dog’s health depends greatly on good hydration.
How Can I Tell If My Dog Is Dehydrated?
If you’re concerned that your pet might be dehydrated, there are certain signs of dehydration in dogs that you can look for.
8 Signs of Dehydration in Dogs
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Loss of Skin Elasticity: Also known as “tenting,” this loss of elasticity can be detected by gently pulling the skin between the shoulder blades. If the skin doesn't snap back quickly, your dog is probably dehydrated.
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Dry or Sticky Gums: Your dog’s gums should be slick and moist. If the gums are dry or sticky, it’s a sign of dehydration.
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Thick or Pasty Saliva: A dehydrated dog’s saliva may feel thick or pasty to the touch.
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Dry, Dull, or Sunken Eyes: A lack of fluids can cause your dog’s eyes to look dry, dull, or sunken.
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Excessively Dry Nose: It’s not just an old wives’ tale that a wet nose indicates a healthy dog. By contrast, an excessively dry nose could indicate a dehydrated dog.
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Lethargy and Weakness: If your dog appears unusually tired, sluggish, or unwilling to play, they could be dehydrated.
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Excessive Panting: Intense or unnatural panting, particularly in cool weather, can indicate that your dog needs water.
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Reduced Appetite: A lack of water can cause a decrease in appetite.
If your dog exhibits one or more of these signs, you should immediately hydrate your dog and potentially seek veterinary attention.
How to Check for Dehydration at Home (Skin Tent & Dry Nose and Gums)
Two of the most common signs of canine dehydration, as noted above, occur with skin elasticity and the dog’s gums. Here are two quick and easy tests for these areas of concern.
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Skin Tent Test: To check skin elasticity, gently pinch the skin between the shoulder blades. Pull up on it and then release. If the skin is slow to return to its original position, your dog is probably dehydrated.
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Nose and Gum Check: To check for dry nose and gums, start with the nose. A dry nose is fairly easy to determine by both touch and sight. Dog gums are a little trickier. Begin by pressing your finger against your dog's gums. Dog gum tissue should feel moist and slimy. The white spot from the pressure of your finger should turn pink again quickly when you remove it.
When to See a Veterinarian
Sometimes, pets simply overdo it on a walk or hike, and need a bit of fluid to get things right. That’s very common. But when you start to see symptoms of dehydration regularly or chronically, then you should get in touch with your vet. And if your dog shows signs of severe dehydration—such as complete lethargy, diarrhea, vomiting, or collapse—then you should contact your veterinarian immediately.
Ways to Prevent Dehydration in Dogs
There are several ways you can prevent dog dehydration.
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Allow Constant Access to Water: Keep clean, fresh water available to your pet at all times.
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Set Up Multiple Water Stations: Place water bowls in multiple areas of the home and yard, especially if your home is large or you have multiple pets using the bowls.
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Encourage Drinking: Sometimes dogs are too preoccupied or just don’t drink much. For these dogs, try offering wet food, adding water to their kibble, or using a pet-safe water fountain.
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Offer Hydrating Treats: Sometimes a treat is all it takes to coax your pet into hydrating. Offer them ice cubes that combine water, low-sodium broth, or freezer-safe fruits, like blueberries or watermelon. Watermelon chunks make great snacks, too, so long as you remove the seeds.
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Carry Portable Water: Always bring a collapsible bowl and fresh water on walks, hikes, car rides, and other prolonged activities away from home.
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Monitor Their Activity & Hot Weather: Avoid strenuous exercise during peak heat hours, especially during the summer. And make sure your dog has access to shade and rest breaks.
How Hydration Benefits Urinary and Renal Health
Good hydration is crucial for maintaining optimal kidney (renal) function and overall urinary health. Water dilutes the urine, thus helping to prevent kidney stones, reducing the risk of infections, and making the removal of waste more efficient. Hydration also reduces strain on the kidneys by helping to filter toxins and metabolic waste products. It also reduces the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) through more frequent urination, flushing harmful bacteria and toxins out of the bladder and urinary tract.
The Role of Supplements in Treating Dehydration in Dogs
Both intake and output of fluids are vital in a dog’s overall hydration. We’ve already outlined ways to ensure your dog takes in enough fluids. You can also be proactive at the other end of the pup with a good kidney or bladder supplement for dogs. These types of dog supplements support kidney, bladder, and urinary tract health with natural ingredients, such as cranberry, kona berry, marshmallow root, and other urinary-friendly ingredients.
Hydration Benefits to Healthy Skin and Coat
Poor hydration can also lead to dry, flaky skin and a dull coat. Hydration helps to maintain the skin’s moisture barrier, leading to a healthier, shinier coat and fewer skin irritations. You can also help your dog’s skin and coat health with a good supplement, like our Dog Supplement for Skin and Coat, containing natural biotin, coconut oil, and P-18 probiotics, among other skin-healthy ingredients.
FAQs for Canine Dehydration
How Much Water Should My Dog Drink in a Day?
Generally speaking, dogs should drink approximately 1 ounce of water (1/8 of a cup) per pound of body weight each day. That said, there are several things that can affect how much your dog may drink on any given day (such as hot weather or a physically exerting play session or walk). So, don’t try to restrict your dog’s water intake to “hit the right number.” Unless your vet explicitly directs you to do so, it’s not necessary to measure out the exact water amounts for your dog’s daily intake. Just make sure they have access to plenty of fresh, clean water at all times.
Also, make sure to wash your dog’s water (and food) bowl daily with soap and water.
What Should I Do If My Dog Won't Drink Water?
If your dog refuses to drink water for 24 hours and won’t respond to hydrating snacks or foods either, call your veterinarian right away. It could be a sign of a serious health issue.
Can a Dog Drink Too Much Water?
Yes, a dog can drink too much water. This can lead to a potentially fatal condition called hyponatremia, or water intoxication. This emergency condition occurs when excessive water intake dilutes sodium levels in the blood, which causes cells to swell, potentially resulting in brain swelling, seizures, and coma. Usually the cause of this condition is from gulping water during activities like swimming or playing with sprinklers (particularly for smaller dogs) or hoses. It’s not something a dog naturally does from overindulging at a dog bowl.
