Making sure your pet is fed an adequate diet isn’t the only method to ensure their health. Alongside being crucial for your pet’s health, water is the main ingredient in every living cell that is healthy. If you don’t provide it, your pet’s system won’t function properly and may be dehydrated without it.
Symptoms of Dehydration in Pets
Pets are composed of just as much water as humans. It makes proper hydration for pets extremely important. In addition, water is a great way to fight illness and infections and boost energy levels.
Maintain a stable body temperature and circulation of blood, remove waste, digest food and speed up recovery following surgery, illness or injury. The adverse effects of dehydration for your pet are as follows:
Very Pale or Bright Red Gums
If your dog’s gums are sticky, it could be a sign of the first stage of dehydration. If you’re concerned that your dog is dehydrated, take a look at its gums and see whether they’re dry and sticky. Apply your finger gently to the dog’s gums, and then remove your finger.
If your dog is well-hydrated, the area you squeeze can appear white for a moment, and it will return to its typical pink hue in just a few seconds. If your dog is dehydrated, the capillary replenishment time is significantly longer. Consult with your vet or visit their website to know the best course of action that you could take.
Dryness of the Nose
There are instances when a dry, hot nose can indicate hyperthermia, dehydration or even a condition like Dry eye. It is recommended to consult a pet care expert from Pico Rivera Pet Hospital when your dog’s dry nose is accompanied by other signs such as vomiting, lethargy and diarrhea or a shift in appetite or activity.
Loss of Skin Elasticity
The softness on their skins is a typical way to determine dehydration. Before you release your pet’s skin, gently squeeze the loose skin around the scruff of your dog (the neck’s back and before their shoulders). The coat of a well-hydrated dog will return quickly to its original shape.
A dehydrated dog is less flexible and is more challenging to return to its initial position. Your dog might be dehydrated if its skin takes more than two seconds for it to return back to its initial position after being stretched.
Lethargy and Low Energy Levels
Pets who are not even moderately dehydrated could feel sleepy. Due to lack of water, they may not move around as much and may prefer to lay down. It could cause muscle stiffness and joint pain in dogs, and that’s the reason it’s essential to ensure that your pet is well-hydrated. Keep a bottle of clean, cold water available for your pet to drink at their own pace when it’s dehydrated.
Treatment for Dehydrated Pets
If your dog exhibits signs of shock, heat, or dehydration, contact your veterinarian immediately. Small amounts in ice or water could be administered to your pet regularly every several minutes if they’re slightly dehydrated. It is possible to use electrolyte fluid to help restore your pet’s minerals. If you offer your excessive pet amounts of water in one go, you may see it vomit and then dehydrate them further.
Even if an issue of minor severity can cause your dog to become dehydrated, it’s always recommended to consult your vet. Seek professional advice from an orthopedic vet surgeon in Pico Rivera to prevent any other injuries from happening due to dehydration.
Takeaway
Making sure your pet is healthy is the top priority for you as an owner of pets. Be sure to keep plenty of water to provide your pet with needed daily hydration. Your pet might need to drink more water to replenish fluids lost during a busy day. Animals generally consume one ounce of water for every pound of body weight every day. If you are unsure about the amount of fluid your dog is drinking, ask your vet for advice.
