What to Do for a Dehydrated Dog

Dehydration can be a huge danger to health and well being. Something many people forget is that not only humans can be dehydrated--animals can too. If you have a dog, it's important to know what to look for and how to treat him, should he suddenly become dehydrated.

  1. Causes

    • Causes of dehydration in dogs can vary. It can be as simple as too much activity without any water breaks. Illness in a dog is also another common cause of dehydration. If you live in an extremely hot environment, you should also monitor your dog's hydration, as heat can cause dehydration quickly.

    Symptoms

    • Panting is a common symptom of dehydration, as your dog is trying to cool its body. Other signs are sunken eyes and a dry snout and tongue. To find out if your dog is dehydrated, push your finger down on his gum for 10 seconds. If, when you remove your finger, blood does not rush back to the area within a few seconds, your dog is most likely dehydrated.

    Hydrate Immediately

    • Get water to your dog immediately. Don't give him too much at once. Introduce small amounts to his system slowly, as too much can induce vomiting. Give your dog a couple of cups and wait a few minutes to see how he reacts. If he vomits, take him to a veterinarian immediately. If he manages to keep it down, wait 20 minutes and give him another couple of cups. Slowly build up the amount you give him every 15 to 20 minutes over the next couple of hours.

    Cool Down

    • Cool your dog off if she is dehydrated. Get her into a cooler environment in order to help her lower her body temperature. You can even try giving her a cool bath, or putting her in a bathtub with a few inches of cold water.

    Call Your Vet

    • While you may be able to help alleviate your dog's dehydration, it is important to call your veterinarian for further instruction, as dehydration can return or worsen depending on the cause. Your vet will most likely have you bring your dog in for a visit to insure his health isn't in jeopardy.

    Prevention

    • Preventing dehydration is not difficult. Always have a source of drinking water available for your dog. Keep a bowl somewhere in your kitchen, bathroom or laundry room that your dog knows is always available. Keep your dog indoors in very hot weather, and check the water bowl frequently because heat can dry it up.