Cures for Dehydration in Dogs

Our dogs rely on us to protect them from harm and help them when they are in distress. While dehydration is a medical emergency and may require intravenous fluids, there are ways to prevent dehydration in the first place. Common signs of dehydration are lethargy, dry gums, rapid heartbeat, sunken eyes and decreased skin elasticity, which can be determined with the Turgor skin test.

  1. Prevention

    • Dogs pant to release excess heat.

      Dogs do not sweat like humans do. They pant to rid their bodies of excess heat. If your dog cannot replace the fluids lost during panting, it runs the risk of becoming dehydrated. In otherwise healthy dogs, the best way to treat mild dehydration is to prevent it happening in the first place. Always provide your dog with plenty of cool, clean water. If your dog is outside during hot weather, it's also important to provide a shady place to escape the sun. A small child's pool filled with fresh water daily acts as a cooling bath. If you notice that your dog appears distressed despite these measures, bring it inside and provide fresh water. Make sure the dog is drinking the water and perform the Turgor test before letting your dog back outside. For the test, pinch a small amount of skin on the dog's back between your thumb and forefinger and lift it up. Let go of the skin. A dehydrated dog's skin will slowly fall back into place whereas the skin of a hydrated dog will rapidly drop back into place.

    Electrolyte Replacement

    • Sunken eyes indicate dehydration.

      Often dehydration means not only a loss of fluid but a loss of electrolytes and sodium. Sick dogs are not always able to ingest enough water to remain hydrated. If your dog is ill, adding an electrolyte supplement (found at most pet stores) to the water bowl will help maintain hydration. Use a squeeze-top water bottle to force fluids into the mouth if the dog refuses to drink. As a preventive measure, these supplements can be added to a healthy outdoor or working dog's water bowl during hot weather.

    Intravenous Therapy

    • Only a veterinarian can treat severe dehydration.

      Severe dehydration must be treated at a veterinarian's office and will likely include hospitalization. A severely dehydrated dog may be suffering from heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Extreme dehydration is also possible during prolonged bouts of vomiting and diarrhea. Do not delay taking your dog to the veterinarian. In the animal hospital, your dog will be given intravenous (IV) fluids to rehydrate. This must be done slowly to allow the body to adjust and prevent further complications.