What Does Dehydration in Dogs Look Like?
Just like humans, if your pup doesn’t get enough water, it can become dehydrated. This happens because your puppy is losing water every they exhale, go potty, or as saliva evaporates off of their tongue when they pant.
Dogs are even more susceptible to dehydration during the hot summer months so it’s even more important to make sure you are taking good care of your dog. Don’t let your dog spend too much time in the heat and make sure they always have access to clean water.
However, it’s important to know what to look for and how to treat it so that you can keep your pup as safe as possible.
Signs of Dehydration
1. Dry Mucous Membranes
If your dog’s gums or tongue are sticky and dry instead of wet, this is the first sign that your furry friend might be dehydrated. Their saliva might even become sticky or stringy.
2. Lethargy
If your pup is unusually tired or if they are acting lethargic, this could be a sign of dehydration. Having a lack of water can cause a lack of energy in your dog that may be uncommon or out of the ordinary. Consider if their laziness is a result of strenuous play or if there may be other factors.
3. Loss of Elasticity
Your puppy’s skin normally fits them like a well-fitting coat with room to move. To test for dehydration, grab the skin over your pup’s neck and shoulders and lift gently. Well-hydrated skin will quickly spring back into place.
If your dog is starting to get dehydrated, the skin will retract slowly back into place and if your pup has a more serious case, the skin will remain in a ridge and not go back to its place. This is called skin tenting.
4. Capillary Refill Time
Capillary refill time (CRT) is a good way to measure the level of hydration in your pooch. This is a test to see how long it takes for blood to return to a mucous membrane after pressure is applied. In humans, we do this by squeezing our fingertips and seeing how long it takes for them to return to their normal color after letting go. In dogs, we do this by pressing a finger against a dog’s gums. Press down until the tissue turns white and then quickly release.
If your dog is hydrated, it will take less than two seconds for its gums to turn pink again. If it takes 2 to 3 seconds could indicate a slight case of dehydration and longer than 4 or five seconds indicates a pretty serious case of dehydration with can be dangerous.
If your dog is seriously dehydrated, it will also have sunken eyeballs, cold extremities, and involuntary muscle twitches.
How to Treat Dehydration
If your pup is mildly dehydrated, a drink of water may be all they need if they are not vomiting. Your veterinarian may also prescribe a product similar to a children’s Pedialyte to help replenish electrolytes.
If your dog is suffering from a more moderate to severe case of dehydration, it will need to go to the vet immediately. Your pup will probably require fluid therapy to rehydrate and replenish electrolytes. If needed, they may also be hospitalized for IV or under the skin fluids. Dehydration can be very serious so it is better to air on the side of caution when treating your pooch.
Also, once you have treated your pup’s dehydration, it will be important to treat what caused it. If your pup became dehydrated from overheating and not having any water, then be sure to be extra cautious the next time they venture into the heat.
If the dehydration was caused by something like diarrhea or vomiting, medications may be needed to prevent more fluid loss.
If you suspect your dog is dehydrated, call your vet immediately to find the best course of treatment for your dog.