Many dog owners are unaware of just how easy it is for their dogs to become dehydrated. When your dog does not drink enough water, their internal organs could be impacted, and if it is hot out, they could suffer from heatstroke easily. Dogs actually need access to quite a bit of water every day to stay properly hydrated, which is not something that all pet owners are aware of.
Dogs need to drink about 1 ounce of water per pound of their body weight per day. This number could double when they are exerting. Puppies also usually need more water per pound of weight than adult dogs. Providing access to a source of clean water all day long is critical for the health of your dog, no matter what its age.
If you are ready to learn some more about why dog dehydration in Miami is serious, you need to keep reading!
Why is Dehydration so Serious?
Dog dehydration can be a high risk for many reasons. The balance of electrolytes and minerals in your dog’s cells needs to be correct for their body to function in a healthy way. If your dog is dehydrated, this balance can be incorrect, which can lead to issues with nerve function as well as trouble regulating temperature. Dogs that are dehydrated might also have trouble digesting their food and show no appetite.
In addition to concerns about cellular health, dehydration is the gateway to heatstroke, which can be fatal in dogs. Dogs that are too hot for more than about twenty minutes can go into organ failure and die. Dehydrated dogs have trouble regulating their body temperature, which can provide the tipping point that leads to heatstroke and serious health consequences.
Here’s How to Keep Your Dog Safe from Dehydration
By keeping these tips in mind can help keep your dog protected from dehydration.
1. Have A Good Supply of Water on Hand
No matter what size your dog is, they need access to water 24 hours a day. This can be a bowl or a fountain that recycles water, but it needs to be kept clean and filled at all times. If your pet spends time outdoors each day, they need access to water in this location as well. When you are hiking or running with your pet, bring a bottle of water for them and a travel dog bowl so they can drink as they are exerting.
Being able to provide enough water for your pet is critical to keeping them hydrated. Dogs are not the kind of animals to complain when they get thirsty, and many owners are not aware that their dog is dehydrated until it is too late. Make sure that you assume that your dog needs water at all times so that they stay hydrated. Also, be sure that the water that you provide is clean enough that your dog is willing to drink it.
2. Keep Your Dog Inside When It’s Hot
Your dog might love to go with you on adventures or hang out outside, but when it is really hot out, this can spell disaster for your pet. As a good rule of thumb, keep your dog inside and out of the heat when the temperature is more than 80 degrees. This is the tipping point where your dog can get too hot and suffer from heatstroke, and if your pet is without water when it is hot and sunny out, they might not be able to stay hydrated enough.
Dogs that love to go with you in the car when you run errands and go on other adventures should not be left in the car. Cars can get very warm very fast, and this is one of the leading causes of death for dogs. It is best to take your dog inside with you, keep the air conditioning on in the car, or leave your dog at home when they are not able to go into the store with you while running errands. Dogs are best left where they can stay cool and have access to water when the weather is very hot.
3. Make Sure to Track Drinking Behavior
If you think that your dog might be drinking more than usual, be sure that you start paying attention to how often they are drinking. There are some medical conditions that can cause dehydration, even when your dog is making an effort to drink enough water. Catching these conditions early is critical to making sure that your pet is healthy.
If you think that your dog might be dehydrated, you can check by pinching the skin just between their shoulder blades and lifting it up slightly. If the skin does not snap back into place right away, your dog could be dehydrated. Even if your dog is not showing any other symptoms of ill health, a dog that has access to water and is not hydrated can be brewing some kind of serious health issue. It is always a good idea to make sure that your dog sees the veterinarian if you think they are not staying hydrated even with access to lots of water.
Dog Dehydration is Serious but Can be Prevented
These tips will help you to keep your dog safe from dehydration in Miami. You will want to be sure that you keep track of the temperature outside and that you leave your dog home when it is too hot for pets to be out and about in the heat. You will also want to be sure that you provide enough clean water that your dog can have access to at all times.
Pay attention to your dog’s water intake and do the skin pinch test if you think they might be dehydrated. There is no reason not to take your dog to the vet if you think they are dehydrated when they should not be. Catching health issues early is a good idea when you think that they are linked to dehydration. Your dog should be able to stay hydrated when they have access to enough water, so visiting the vet can help you to get a better picture of your pet’s health. Dog dehydration can be serious and should never be ignored.
Call Country Club Animal Hospital at (305) 663-3300 or book an appointment online if you think your dog could be dehydrated.