WILD- Topic 29: Dehydration

Dehydration is when there is a lack of water in the body. This can be serious and potentially life-threatening for pets. Water is a vital nutrient in the diet of dogs and cats and maintaining a proper daily fluid level is essential for life. 80% of your pet’s body is made up of water. All biologic processes including circulation, digestion and waste removal utilizes water.

Dehydration occurs when fluid levels drop less than normal. This can happen either with reduced water intake or increased fluid loss. Fluid loss can happen in hot weather or with vomiting and diarrhea.

Symptoms of dehydration include dry mouth, depression, sunken eyes, and lethargy. If you suspect an animal is dehydrated, gently pull up on the skin between the animal’s shoulder blades. This is called a “skin tent” test. In animals with normal hydration, the skin snaps back down against the animal’s body quickly. If the skin stays up like a tent, then that is an indication of dehydration. Carefully offer water to the animal. Make sure the water is not too cold. It is best not to offer sports drinks or other electrolyte waters to the pet. These waters contain a large amount of sugar that is not good for pets. Be sure to seek veterinary care for any pet that is suspected of being dehydrated.

Skin Turgor test is when you pull up on an animal’s skin and make a tent as seen in the picture above. If the skin stays up it means the animal might be dehydrated

You can always help to prevent dehydration by providing clean water and change it frequently to ensure freshness. Also, do not forget to wash a pet’s water bowl every day to prevent bacteria from forming. Monitor the pet’s water intake. Generally, dogs and cats need at least one ounce of water for each pound of body weight per day. If a pet is not drinking an adequate amount of water, seek veterinary advice. Monitoring water intake is especially important if a pet is recovering from diarrhea, vomiting or other illnesses.

Some other things that can be done are to purchase a water bowl with a weighted bottom to prevent a dog from knocking it over. Bring extra water when traveling or exercising with a dog. If you notice a pet is drinking less than usual, check its mouth for sores or other foreign objects, such as burrs or sticks. Avoid chaining a dog outside, since they may get tangled up, preventing them from accessing their water bowl. Keep the toilet lid closed to interrupt a dog’s efforts to turn the bowl, which can be a source of bacteria, into a water fountain.