Dog dehydration is a common condition veterinarians treat as the earth’s temperature continues to rise.
Imagine your dog is having a great day out, playing with you, running around with its friends, and then it suddenly stops, pants heavily, and becomes lethargic. Your dog may be experiencing dehydration.
According to the Climate website, the average 2022 surface temperature was 58.55 °F, which is 1.55 °F warmer than the 20th-century average. The earth is getting warmer, but dogs cannot communicate with us if they are getting too hot.
You must look for signs of dog dehydration so you can do something about it before it’s too late.
What Is Dog Dehydration?
Canine dehydration is when the dog loses more water and electrolytes than they are taking in. When they lose too much fluid, they become dehydrated, which could be a simple case of overheating or lead to serious organ failure or even death.
Hydration is essential because fluids have different essential functions in the body:
- Water regulates body temperature.
- Water lubricates dogs’ joints to protect their bones.
- Water serves as a cushion for your dog’s internal organs.
- Water aids in your dog’s digestion.
- Water helps in the distribution of nutrients all over the body.
It is normal for dogs to lose water during the day. They do so when they urinate, pee, and pant. Dogs also lose water through evaporation—this means the water in their paws or body evaporates due to heat.
What’s important is that dogs get to replenish the water they lose during the day by drinking liquid.
How Much Water Does Your Dog Need?
Many pet owners are not aware if their dogs are dehydrated. And some are not certain how much water to give dogs.
Some factors determine how much water to give your dog, such as its size, fur thickness, and environmental temperature.
According to PetMD, the ideal water intake for your dog is an ounce of water for every pound of its body weight. It may need more during the summer or whenever the weather is hot.
You don’t have to measure your dog’s water intake all the time. Sometimes, it’s enough that you provide a fresh supply of clean water every day. Your dog’s water bowl must not be empty so it can hydrate whenever it wants.
“In extreme heat, dogs are at risk of health risks such as heatstroke,
dehydration, and even death.”
Is Your Dog Dehydrated? Signs And Symptoms
Panting is common among dogs. They do it because they are happy or excited. However, they may be overheated and dehydrated when they do it excessively.
Let’s take a look at some dog dehydration symptoms:
- Heavy panting
- Thick saliva and dry mouth
- High temperature (above 103 °F)
- Dry nose
- Dry, sticky gums
- Lethargy
- Loss of energy
- Loss of appetite
- Loss of skin elasticity
- Vomiting
- Sunken eyeballs
When you notice any of these symptoms, resort to simple dog dehydration treatment right away. Also, prepare to message your veterinarian in case your dog is not getting any better.
Canine Dehydration Test
Unsure if your dog is dehydrated? “Do the skin elasticity test,” says Dr. Jerry Klein.
Lightly hold a pinch of your dog’s skin near its shoulder blades and raise it. Quickly let go and watch how it falls back into place.
The skin will spring instantly back into place when your dog is well hydrated. But in dehydrated dogs, the skin will languidly return to its original position.
You may also do the gum test. Check if the gums are dry and sticky—two dog dehydration symptoms.
But that’s not enough because you also would want to check on the capillary refill time. To do that, press your dog’s gum gently.
When you remove your finger, you will see that the part that you pressed is white but will immediately return to its original pink color. However, if your dog is dehydrated, the capillary refill is slow.
“It’s a good idea to first test your dog’s skin when you are sure he’s well hydrated, so that you have a base for what normal skin elasticity feels like. This is especially important for owners of wrinkly breeds, such as bulldogs and Neapolitan mastiffs, because their skin may not be as elastic, even under normal circumstances.”
–Dr. Jerry Klein, chief veterinary officer of the American Kennel Club
When you have determined that your dog is dehydrated, you must work on the treatment. 
How To Treat Dog Dehydration
The first thing you should do is place your dog in a cool place.
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If you notice signs of dog dehydration, bring your dog inside the house immediately. Turn on the air conditioning and offer your dog small amounts of water.
Don’t overcompensate by allowing your dog to take big gulps of water. Drinking too much water too fast could cause vomiting.
Ice is also a good hydration option for your dog. Licking it will keep your dog cool while letting it ingest small amounts of liquid at the same time. If you have an electrolyte replacement fluid, that would be ideal too.
Check your dog’s temperature too. If it goes beyond 103 °F, try to cool your dog down by patting a wet, cool towel all over its body.
Observe if your dog is getting better. If not, drive to your vet immediately and try to get them on the phone while you are on the way so they can recommend things to do in the meantime.
How To Prevent Dehydration In Dogs
Dog dehydration is mostly preventable. The simple things count, too. When the weather is hot, don’t let your dog out yet.
Yes, dogs need their daily exercise. However, you can wait until the temperature becomes bearable before you walk your dog. Or you could make sure your dog plays under a shade when you are out in the park, for example.
It is also essential that your dog has an ample supply of fresh water during the day. If you’re heading to work and your dog will be left alone in the house, make sure the air conditioning is at the right temperature and that the water supply will last all day.
The supply should be more than what you expect your dog to drink in a day. Add more in the summer months.
When you take your dog with you on a drive, don’t ever leave your dog in the car, especially in direct sunlight.
Veterinarian Susan Nelson warns: “What might seem like a short trip… it can end up being fatal for our pets.”
“Even with the windows cracked, we should never leave our pets in a vehicle unattended,” Nelson said. “For what might seem like a short trip into the bank, it can end up being fatal for our pets.”
–Dr. Susan Nelson, clinical professor of the Kansas State University’s Veterinary Health Center
Final Thoughts
A well-hydrated dog is a happy dog. As the earth continues to heat up, we need to be more cognizant of our dog’s needs, as they can’t verbally communicate with us when they are dehydrated.
Dog dehydration may seem simple enough, and it may seem like the dog just needs to replenish its water intake. However, in some cases, it could be deadly.
Always make sure your dog has enough water every day and that it is spending its time in an environment with just the right temperature.
