Few things are worse than a sick dog, especially when you are worried you can’t make them feel better. One easy way to ease some of your dog\u2019s suffering is by rehydrating them. Dogs can lose a lot of fluids if they\u2019ve been vomiting or experiencing diarrhea, so check out these tips to ensure your dog is plenty hydrated when sick!<\/p>\n
Dog dehydration happens when a dog’s normal fluid intake stops making up for water loss. This can be especially dangerous when your pup is sick. Their blood flow slows and their oxygen level is reduced. Severe dehydration occurs as their electrolyte level plummets, affecting important bodily functions such as muscle and nerve actions.<\/p>\n
Pet owners might need to seek a vet immediately to treat dog dehydration. In extreme cases, a dog can experience organ failure as a dog’s body shuts down.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Often, the main cause of dehydration is simply poor access to a fresh water bowl. If a dog’s water bowl is constantly empty, there is no way they can actually stay hydrated. Please make sure your dog always has fresh water so they can drink water as needed.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Heatstroke and Sudden illnesses that cause vomit, fever, and diarrhea can quickly lead to severe dehydration in dogs. Certain dogs are more susceptible to dehydration than others, such as mother dogs and their puppies, elderly dogs, and dogs with a lower body weight like toy breeds.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Even if provided with fresh water, some dogs might need a little bit of reinforcement to drink enough water. Hard exercise and heavy panting can also affect a dog’s water intake, especially in hot weather. Make sure your dog has enough shade and water on those hot days!<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Because they cannot tell us when they need to drink water, pet owners must know the tell-tale signs of dehydration in dogs. According to Dr. Jerry Klein at the AKC, symptoms include loss of appetite, vomiting, no energy, tight skin, drooling, as well as dry eyes, eyes, nose, and gums. In addition to dryness, a dog’s gums might also be pale.<\/p>\n
Dr. Klein tells us that you can also test your furry friend for skin elasticity as a sign of dehydration. Well-hydrated dogs will have springy skin, a sick dog’s skin will slowly go back into place when you gently pinch their skin.<\/p>\n
Subtly leaving a few water bowls around your house can encourage your dog to start slurpin\u2019! Try placing water bowls in different rooms, and be sure to check them periodically to make sure they\u2019re fresh and filled. With more water bowls to manage, it can be easy to forget to clean them, but when your dog is ill, it\u2019s extra important to scrub the bacteria from your bowls daily!<\/p>\n
Sometimes plain water is not enough. Here are some tips to get your dog to drink enough water.<\/p>\n
Add wet food to your dog’s water bowl<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Add ice cubes<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Make a special dog drink with low sodium broth<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Give them frozen dog treats<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Monitoring your canine companion’s drinking gives you a good idea of how much water they drink. If you feel like their water bowl is always full, make sure they have a clean bowl and try some of the above tips to reinforce healthy drinking habits.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n