You should pay attention to your dog drinking water. It is important to be alert and notice if they are drinking too much, too little, or none at all. Your dog will become dehydrated when your dog’s fluid intake is less than normal.
Just like humans a dog’s weight is comprised mostly of water. With just a 10% fluid loss from its body a dog’s health can be put in serious jeopardy. When dehydration occurs not only will there be a lack of water in the body, there will also be a deficiency of the minerals that are contained in the water. A lack of sodium, chloride, and potassium will have a severe adverse effect on your dog’s health.
There are two main causes of dehydration:
An insufficient source of water to replace the fluids that have been lost due to normal panting and urinating.The animal is suffering from an injury or illness.
Test Your Dog For Dehydration
Skin Firmness Test — A dog’s skin should be able to be pulled away, released, and be returned to its natural position right away. If it does not return immediately then the dog is dehydrated.Gum Test — A dog’s gums are naturally pink. If you press your finger against the gums they will turn white. When you release your finger the gums should turn back to pink right away. If they do not return back to pink right away then the dog is showing signs of dehydration.Slow Reaction Test — If your dog seems to be reacting slowly to your commands or seems to be moving in slow motion, there is a good chance that the dog is dehydrated
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A depressed dog or one that seems uninterested in what is going on around him is also most likely dehydrated.
Just as dangerous as not drinking enough water is drinking too much water. Too much water intake can lead to drooling and overheating. Vomiting and diarrhea are also signs of too much water intake. In worst case scenarios your dog can develop diabetes and kidney disease. Be very careful not to let your dog drink too much water.
Prevent Dehydration
Because dehydration is such a serious condition it is important that you take some simple steps to prevent it from occurring to start with.
Do whatever you have to in order to get your dog to drink more water. This can include putting out a fresh cold bowl of water. Dogs also like to lick ice cubes, so ice cubes in a bowl of water can work wonders.Next you will need to stop the fluid loss which is the main reason the dog is getting dehydrated. There are natural remedies that you can give your dog that will assist in this endeavor. Make sure that you are not working the dog too hard and keeping him out of the hot sun.
Under normal conditions a dog drinking water will self regulate so that the proper amount fluid is being taken in. It is when the dog becomes ill or overheated that dehydration will rear its ugly head. Always keep a sharp eye on your pet and the first time you suspect that the dog is dehydrating bring out the water.
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