Want to know the fastest way to cure dehydration in dogs? Well, if yes, read here.
Dehydration in dogs is considered a severe health problem that requires immediate attention. Generally, dogs can become dehydrated if not provided with enough fluids throughout the day. In some cases, numerous health conditions can also be a cause of their dehydration.
However, the good part is that you can easily rehydrate your dog using various methods. And, in this article, we will discuss the same.
Keep reading to know the common causes and symptoms of dehydration in dogs and some of the best solutions to cure this health condition.
What Exactly Causes Dehydration In Dogs?
There are many reasons that can cause dehydration in your dogs, and the most common and obvious one is – insufficient water intake. Besides that, there can also be some other reasons, which include the following:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Heat Stroke
- Fever
According to the sources, in some cases, dehydration can also occur due to underlying health issues like some types of cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, and more.
Senior dogs, puppies, and nursing mothers are also considered to be at a higher risk of dehydration. Small breed dogs like chihuahuas are also known to be more inclined toward experiencing dehydration.
What Are the Most Common Signs of Dehydration in Dogs?
When your dog is dehydrated, he is likely to show various signs, which include the following:
- Thick Saliva
- Low levels of energy
- Dry Nose
- Panting
- Reduced appetite
- Vomiting
- Dog urinating less than usual
- Dark Yellow or orange urine
- Decreased body weight
- Sticky and dry gums
In the extreme cases of dehydration your dog may show signs like:
- Sunken Eyes
- Shock
- Collapse
What Is The Fastest Way To Cure Dehydration In Dogs?
Here are the five best ways that you can use to cure dehydration in Dogs.
1. Offer Your Pup Some Fresh Water
The most obvious and fastest way to cure dehydration in dogs is by offering them some fresh water. Simply get your dog’s water bowl, add fresh water and keep it near your dog so they can drink the water with ease.
2. Feed Them With More Wet Food
Currently, many wet canned foods are available in the market that you can feed to your dog and help them stay hydrated. However, please make sure to always buy high-quality wet canned food that is primarily made for the dogs, contains high amounts of nutrients, and helps in hydrating dogs.
3. Make Smoothie For Your Dog
If you want to add something interesting and unique to your dog’s diet, try to make smoothies.
You can make smoothies for your dog using sweet fruits like apples, strawberries and blueberries, as they are considered to be fine for dogs to consume. You can also use veggies like cucumber, kale, spinach, and carrots to make nutritious and hydrating smoothies for the dogs.
Just make sure not to add sugar or any other ingredient in the smoothie that may harm their health. Also, make sure to give the smoothies to your pup in moderation; otherwise, it may lead to other health issues.
4. Take Water Along Whenever Going Outside With Your Dog
Whenever you are going out with your dog, be sure to take water along, as chances are that your dog may not be able to find water outside at places like dog parks. Hence, purchase a dog water bottle or a collapsible water bowl to help your dog stay hydrated while he is playing around.
5. Feed Your Dog Some Vegetables
What is the fastest way to cure dehydration in dogs? Introduce veggies into their diet.
You can feed your pup various vegetables, for instance, cucumber. It is extremely high in water content and also tastes extremely nice.
However, even though a cucumber can be a great treat for your dog, you still need to feed them in moderation as overconsumption of cucumber can lead to stomach-related problems in your dog.
Besides that, you can also add other veggies like carrots or celery. They can also be highly nutritious and hydrating meals for your dog.
A Few Tips To Keep In Mind
Here are a few tips that you can use to maintain proper hydration in your dog without putting in any massive effort.
Buy a Bigger Bowl For Your Dog
There are many pet parents who buy the same size of water and food bowl for their dogs, but it shouldn’t be like that. Your dog’s water bowl should be larger than the food bowl, and it should have the capacity to hold much more water than your dog actually drinks so that it never stays empty.
Along with that, try to place the water bowls in more than one area of your house. It will help encourage your dog to drink more water and fulfill its hydration needs.
Lastly, make sure to clean the water bowl of your dog regularly because chances are that it may accumulate various bacteria like yeast, coli, mold, etc. And, your dog drinking from that bowl can be risky.
Add Flavor To Your Dog’s Water
This is one of the best solutions for dogs who don’t like drinking plain water. You can simply squeeze a lemon or add a few slices of fresh fruits to their water.
It will entice a nice flavor to the water, attracting and encouraging them to drink it. Not only that, your furry friend will also get some nutrients that will aid in enhancing their health.
Apart from that, you can also add some chicken broth or low-sodium beef to their water. Its pleasant aroma will attract your dog and make them drink the water happily.
Get a Drinking Fountain For Your Dog
Generally, it is known that many dogs like drinking running water. According to the BowMan Animal Hospital, it is literally ingrained in dogs that running water is more fresh than still water.
Hence, you can try to get a water fountain in your home to help your dog stay hydrated. The movement of the water fountain will attract your dog and allow him to drink water in a playful way.
What To Do If Your Dog Is Severely Dehydrated?
If your dog is dehydrated at an extreme level, then it is highly recommended that you seek immediate professional medical help. Visiting your vet at the right time will help prevent the situation from worsening.
They will use the appropriate treatment needed to cure the severe dehydration in your pup, help him recover fast, and restore his overall health.
Conclusion
So, now we hope that you’ve got your fastest way to cure dehydration in dogs. As soon as you notice any signs of dehydration in your dog, take the right actions promptly to cure the condition.
Otherwise, there is a high chance that the condition may become worse because when your pup starts to lose excessive amounts of water and electrolytes from the body, it can cause damage to the internal organs, joints, digestion system, and may also disrupt the body temperature.
Use the solutions we provided in this article for the proper hydration of your dog. If the problem still persists, visit your vet as soon as possible.
