Dogs are just like people when it comes to hydration. They need water to stay healthy. It's important that you provide your dog with at least enough water for them to drink in one day. This is because they don't sweat as we do, so they can't cool themselves off as well.
When a dog becomes dehydrated, it's a sign that something is wrong. However, it can be hard to know how much your dog should drink in one day, so here are some signs of dehydration and ways you can help your dog stay hydrated.
What Is Dehydration and Why Does It Happen
Dehydration occurs when the amount of water in a dog’s body decreases. When this happens, that means your pet is not getting enough water in one day. A dog’s body, just like us humans, needs ample amounts of water to function properly.
Vomiting is one of the first signs of dehydration and it’s also the most common cause of dehydration. Your dogs may suffer dehydration if they exhibit some of the following symptoms:
Heatstroke or fever
Fatigue
Nausea and vomiting
Pain
Diarrhea
Panting
Frequent urination due to kidney failure and diabetes
Signs of Dehydration in Dogs
There are several signs that say your dog is experiencing dehydration. You may not notice them first, but if you try to observe carefully, it may save your poor dog from dehydration.
Your dog has been drinking a lot of water but hasn’t pooped for several days, it’s likely that your dog is dehydrated.
Your dog is acting excessively lethargic and hasn’t eaten for several days.
Your dog’s tongue is yellow or paler than normal.
Your dog doesn’t have the usual amount of energy and his urine is more than half-dehydrated.
Some other symptoms include:
Thick saliva
Dull or dark coloration around the eyes
Panting
Nervous behavior
Lowered or decreased heart rate
Dry nose
Vomiting with and without diarrhea
Dry-looking eyes
Decreased appetite
If you see one or two of these symptoms from your dog, then make sure to talk to your vet right away as dehydration is a serious problem that may lead to death if not treated properly.
Why Is It Important for Dogs to Be Hydrated
Dogs need water to live. Like humans, the fluid is necessary to flush waste from the body.
A dog’s urine is mainly liquid. Your dog will urinate more water than solid waste when it is dehydrated. When your pet dogs don’t drink enough water, they can experience a dry mouth, feel thirsty, have a very slow heart rate, and even get fatigued.
So how much water should dogs drink per day?
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), dogs should drink two to four cups of water per day.
The average dog may only drink three cups of water per day. That means that if your dog is out running around or hiking, then it may need to drink more water than usual to keep its body properly hydrated.
Ways to Keep Your Dog Hydrated
Keep your dog hydrated in the summer by limiting how much time they spend outside. Your dog should only get about 10 to 15 percent of its body weight in liquid in one day. Always check if your dog’s water bowl is filled and don’t forget to refill it every time.
Swimming is one of the best ways to stay hydrated, and a swimming pool can serve as a way to help keep your dog hydrated as well.
It’s also important to keep an eye on your dog’s body temperature to make sure it doesn’t get too hot. If you happen to take your dog for long strolls or long rides, make sure that you constantly give it fresh water for hydration.
Some dogs need extra water to stay hydrated. Others are at risk of hypothermia when the weather turns colder, so you’ll want to have a full bowl (use the right size of a bowl!) of water for them, especially during the winter season.
If your dog’s size or breed makes it hard for you to weigh or measure their water intake, consider checking with a veterinarian.
Conclusion
When you think about it, you can say that dogs are pretty much just like humans. They need clean water, so they can have a healthy life. This is why it’s important that you provide your dog with enough water to drink in one day.
Wags to Wiskers is a community-based provider of pet supplies in Ann Arbor with a focus on natural, holistic pet foods, primarily for, but not limited to, dogs and cats. Visit our page today to learn more about the best supplies to keep your dogs fully hydrated every time.