The Sneaky (And Not So Sneaky) Signs Of Dehydration In Dogs
You might think it's just lapping up a ton of water - but the signs of dehydration in dogs can be sneakier than that. Here's everything you need to know to keep your buddy safe.
You might think the first signs of dehydration in dogs means your buddy drinking water like crazy. But sadly, it’s more common than you’d think – and the signs aren’t always easy to spot.
Left untreated, dehydration is a serious medical condition. So it’s important you know what to watch out for, why your dog might get dehydrated – and take action right away. (Like, for example, a drop in your dog’s activity which can signal weakness or lethargy.) Let’s get started.
Each of these signs might take a while to turn up. Rather, your dog might signal they’re sick in other, more subtle ways – like a drop in their overall energy or activity.
It’s why vets recommend you:
“Keep track of your dog’s energy levels, especially how long they are able to walk.
If you notice significant declines, it could be a sign of pain, heart disease, or other illness.”
Left untreated – dehydration in dogs can be deadly. In more serious cases, it can lead to unconsciousness, kidney failure, and even death.
Which brings up the question…
Why is my dog dehydrated?
Your dog tends to lose water from their bodies in a whole bunch of ways. Including from panting, breathing, peeing, pooping, and even through their paws. Usually, they make up for this loss of water when they eat and drink.
But if there’s something preventing your dog from eating or drinking – usually an illness – it might end up dehydrating them. (Because they now can’t replenish the water they’ve lost, right?)
So you might find your dog more likely to get dehydrated due to:
Hot, humid weather – especially if your buddy spends a lot of time outdoors. Which can increase their risk of heat stroke, if you’re not mindful.
Overexertion, especially if your dog’s already on the active side. Too much play and exercise can lead them to sweat and lose water faster than they can replenish it.
Illness, especially if your dog is already vomiting, experiencing diarrhea, or has a fever. All of these can lead to them losing water very quickly from their bodies.
Lack of access to fresh water – especially the more active they are.
🚩 So if your normally active dog now seems more reluctant around playtime or grumbles when it’s time for a walk – take note. It could be a red flag you might miss otherwise!
What to expect at your vet’s
Now hopefully, you’ve dropped by for a checkup before your buddy’s symptoms worsen. Your vet will most likely begin with a thorough physical examination, checking your dog’s teeth and gums for the first signs of dehydration.
Come prepared to answer questions about your dog’s:
Symptoms, including when they first began and how long they’ve been going for,
And any other recent changes in behavior.
Your vet might also run a few tests, like a blood panel or urinalysis to check for what underlying illness might be dehydrating your dog.
In more serious cases, they might have to put your dog on intravenous (IV) fluids to get them hydrated again.
How you can prevent your dog from getting dehydrated at home
Now that you know the signs of dehydration in dogs, it’s always smarter to take steps to prevent it from happening again. So you should:
Ensure your dog has access to fresh, clean water – both indoors and outdoors. Water stations around your house can help your buddy stay hydrated throughout the day.
Try and avoid outdoor time when the sun’s at its highest. If you two are in the habit of walks in the afternoon, both the sun overhead and the hot asphalt can dehydrate your dog. Early mornings and evenings when it’s cooler might be better.
Add some water-rich foods to your dog’s food bowl. Cucumbers and watermelon are safe vegetables for dogs to eat in moderate amounts. Else, wet food tends to be more hydrating than dry kibble.
Ensure your dog can rest in cool, shady areas throughout the day – especially if they’ve spent a lot of time outdoors.
Bring along plenty of water when out hiking, playing, or running together outdoors.
Be mindful of how much water your dog drinks at once. If they drink too quickly, they might barf it all back out – which can dehydrate them because of the fluid loss.
In general, how much water your dog should drink depends on a bunch of factors – including their age, size, activity level, and breed. Here’s an infographic that can help:
A sudden drop can signal an emergency – but that’s usually if your dog’s already struggling with a serious illness that’s gotten worse over time.
But more often than not, sickness can turn up as a gradual drop in your dog’s energy and activity – often over many weeks, if not longer.
Which, given how subtle it is, can be easy to miss.
💡That’s where you could use the actionable data from an Activity Tracker for dogs instead – and have a more productive conversation with your vet.
Don’t be fooled by the “GPS” on your trusty Tractive device. With its built-in motion detector, it’s also busy monitoring your dog’s movements throughout the day – logging them in as “active minutes.”
Which, with time, can help you figure out:
How active your dog is on the regular (when they’re normal and healthy),
Where your dog ranks on your community leaderboard,
And if there’s a drop in your dog’s active minutes – which could be a sign of dehydration, a stomach bug, pain, or worse.
So you can take action early when it comes to monitoring your dog’s health – and get them to a vet before they get worse.
“Absolutely love this tracker…it gives great insights on (our dogs’) activity and sleep levels.
I’m comforted knowing that if they started acting strangely or the data shifted drastically that we could take them to vet potentially before we would notice something wrong.
Keep your buddy well-hydrated all year round with these tips
Wrapping up: now that you’re aware of the signs of dehydration in dogs, you’re that much better-equipped to take action when your buddy needs it most. Because left untreated, it counts as a medical emergency that needs the support of your vet right away.
So make sure to keep an eye out for:
Dry gums or nose,
Excessive panting,
Sticky saliva,
Skin tenting,
A loss of appetite,
And other concerning symptoms of illness, like vomiting, diarrhea, and fever
Usually, it might be a combination of the heat, overexertion, illness, or being unable to access water that triggers dehydration in dogs.
So make sure your dog has access to plenty of cool shady spots and fresh, clean water throughout the day. Wet food and water-rich vegetables can be a healthy, hydrating add-on to their diet.
💡 And finally, don’t forget to keep an eye out for your dog’s activity.
While subtle and easy to miss, it could be a potential red flag if your buddy’s reluctant to go for walks or just seems to be in a bit of a slump.
But with an Activity Tracker logging in your dog’s every move – you now have actionable data you can share with your vet, spot a potential health problem early, and get your dog the help they need right when they need it most.
“Besides the GPS function, the app offers an overall score of the dog’s wellbeing based on activity and sleep patterns detected.
I found my dog is a very, very active pup, much more active than I would have expected.
Thus, any change detected in these patterns might signal a health problem that is detected earlier. I 100% wholeheartedly recommend Tractive!“
