Jan 04 2009
Is My Dog Dehydrated?
How Can I Tell if My Dog is Dehydrated?
“Help! My Dog Won’t Drink.”
“What Happens if a Dog Gets Dehydrated?”
“Is My Dog Dehydrated?”
“What Should I Do if My Dog Gets Dehydrated?”
Could your dog be dehydrated? If your dog is suffering from vomiting, diarrhea, if your dog is not drinking as much as usual, and/or if your dog has stopped eating his wet dog food, there’s a good chance that your dog is dehydrated.
What Causes a Dehydration in Dogs?
A dog who is sick, injured or emotionally disturbed will eat and drink less than usual, and in some cases, the dog will stop drinking and eating entirely. If a dog won’t eat or drink, this can lead to the life-threatening problem of dehydration.
Dehydration can also occur if a dog is vomiting or if the dog has diarrhea, as the body expels the fluids before they can be absorbed in both cases.
What Happens if a Dog Gets Dehydrated?
Dehydration can be life-threatening. A dog who is dehydrated will have low blood pressure and as the dehydration progresses, the dog’s major organs will start to shut down. A dehydrated dog can die of organ failure in a matter of hours - not days - if the condition is ignored.
How to Check if a Dog is Dehydrated
Wondering if a dog is dehydrated? Try the following techniques to determine if your dog is dehydrated.
* The Skin Pinch Test: Begin by pinching the dog’s skin at the scruff of his neck and pull the skin upwards creating a “tent.” Release the skin and watch to see how long it takes to return to normal. A healthy, hydrated dog’s skin will flatten out immediately, while a dehydrated dog’s skin is less elastic and it will take as long as several seconds to return to normal.
* Check the Dog’s Gums: Dog owners can also check a dog’s gums to see if a dog is dehydrated. A healthy dog’s gums will be slick to the touch, whereas a dehydrated dog’s gums will feel sticky or dry. It’s also common to see pale gums in a dog who is sick.
Articles on Dehydration, Vomiting and Diarrhea in Dogs
Learn how to help a dehydrated dog in How Can I Help a Dehydrated Dog?
For more tips on how to check a dog’s gums and what it means if a dog’s gums are discolored, read How Do I Check My Dog’s Gums?
Dog owners may also want to read a related Pet Health Blog article Is My Dog Sick? for more information on how to tell if a dog is sick.
Other helpful articles include Home Remedies to Help a Vomiting Dog and Home Remedies for Diarrhea in Dogs.
