Dog Dehydration Symptoms
What is dog dehydration?
Dehydration occurs in a dogs body when it loses too much fluid..
It can be because the dog feels ill and doesn’t want to eat or drink, if the dog has been vomiting or has diarrhea or if there is an underlying medical condition.
6Â Dog Dehydration Symptoms
Here is a simple checklist of symptoms to show that your dog is dehydrated.
1 Dry Nose
2 Lethargic
3 Panting
4 Loss of Appetite.
5 Dry, sunken eyes
6 Lack of skin elasticity.
A vet told me to lift some skin at the back of the neck and watch how quickly the skin returns to normal. A well-hydrated dogs skin should spring back quickly.
You can also test your dog’s gums for dehydration. The inside of a dogs mouth is usually really moist, however, if the gums feel dry or slightly sticky, it is a sign that the dog is dehydrated.
How To Hydrate A Dog
The hydration sachets given to children can be offered and come in enticing flavours.
When one of my own dogs was very sick and refusing to drink I gently rubbed ice cubes around her gums, it takes patience but works. I found it perked her up enough to take a few sips from a bowl
Dogs can be given fluids intravenously by the vet if the dehydration is severe.
Bone Broth
Have you ever considered making bone broth for your dog?
It is used as a ‘pick me up’ and to help hydrate and replenish all the nourishment your dog needs. There are just three basic ingredients, then you can add really healthy vegetables to make it super tasty. The bones can be cooked or uncooked
Ingredients
Boiling water
Bones (Chicken wings, legs or feet are very good)
Apple cider vinegar or lemon juice (this strips the nutrients from the bone)
Boil for around 24 hours in a slow cooker or crockpot on a low heat
Strain the broth and throw away the bones, leaving just liquid.
Add lots of healthy vegetables and herbs and return to the heat until the vegetables soften.
Allow the broth to cool for a few hours, a layer of fat will form on the top, you need to discard this.
Does the broth now look like jelly? If so, you have done a brilliant job, the jelly is gelatin which will really help restore health to your dog.
Keep refrigerated and give the dog a few spoonfuls at a time. They usually like the taste.
Once the dog is feeling better, ladle some broth over the food for a few days.
For dogs who suffer from upset stomachs, you can freeze some in ice cube trays to give as soon as the dog shows symptoms.
How Much Should My Dog Drink Each Day?
A 10-pound dog should drink at least 20 ounces of water per day. However, the type of food that the dog eats needs to be considered because tinned food contains more water than kibble. Also, other things to consider are how much exercise the dog has, the weather and the age of the dog.
Excessive Drinking
If your dog is drinking more than normal, it could be a sign of Diabetes, Kidney Failure, Hypercalcemia or Pyometra. Always consult a vet if your dog drinks excessively.
Additional Reading
Spotting signs of illness in a puppy
Appetite stimulants for when your dog won’t eat
Thank you for reading.