Keeping Your Dog Hydrated and Preventing Dog Dehydration

How to Get a Dog to Drink Water

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post by Primalvore and also has affiliate links. However, I will always try to offer my readers great product selections. Your trust is very appreciated, and never taken for granted. ~Tonya, Dexter and Nutter

Did you know that dog dehydration is a serious risk to your beloved canine? Dehydration can actually lead to death, so it is critical to know the signs of dog dehydration before it’s too late.

Dog Dehydration Symptoms

• Loss of skin elasticity- Gently pick up the skin from the top of your dog’s neck and let go. If your dog’s skin does not snap back into place, your dog is dehydrated.
• Rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, or panting
• Dry nose or gums- Gently lift up your dog’s lips and look at his gums. If they are dry or gray, he may be at risk for dehydration. Press your finger to his gums and release. You will notice the gum will be briefly white but then should return quickly to normal, if not, then dehydration is likely.
• Sunken or empty eyes- If your dog seems to have lost the sparkle in his eyes, this can be a sign that your dog is dehydrated.
• Diarrhea, vomiting, or excessive drooling
• Weakness, lethargy, or shakiness
• Collapse

Common Dog Dehydration Causes

A dog may become dehydrated for a variety of reasons. Dehydration is caused by fluid loss and lack of moisture in the body. Medical conditions such as kidney disease, diabetes, cancer, heat stroke, diarrhea, vomiting, ingesting a toxin or parasites, just to name a few. A processed, dry dog food also can become a culprit as a dog’s kidneys work overtime resulting in a constant state of low-grade dehydration.

Dog Dehydration Treatment

If you have the slightest concern that your dog is dehydrated, please seek veterinarian assistance immediately. Dr. Karen Becker, a proactive and integrative wellness veterinarian, explains, “Dehydration reduces the volume of both blood and intracellular fluids flowing through the body, which in turn reduces oxygen delivery to tissues and organs, as well as the removal of waste products.” She continues by saying, “Which can interfere with the normal function of the body’s organs and systems. If a dehydrated pet isn’t quickly rehydrated, death can occur very quickly.”

Your dog’s veterinarian will likely will provide your dog with IV fluids to replenish electrolytes. In more serious cases, this may take place over the course of a few days, or until your dog can fully recover. If it is unknown why your dog was dehydrated, your vet may want to run a variety of tests and blood work to try to find the root cause.

Preventing Dog Dehydration

Ensure you are addressing any medical concerns your dog may have. Feed your dog a species-appropriate diet that is extremely high in moisture vs. a dry kibble. Prevent your dog from becoming overheated or exhausted. And, finally, help your dog stay hydrated by providing him with plenty of cool, clean, filtered water.

Encouraging Your Dog to Drink Water on the Road

If your dog is anything like Dexter or my previous dog, Theo, getting him to drink during outdoor adventures can be tricky. But, this is one time you don’t want your dog to not drink water. Here are some of my go-to tips to help a dog that won’t drink water.

Keep your dog’s water nice and cool in a stainless steel dog-water bottle. If you are out and about or your dog’s water bottle is in the car heating up, that water can actually get really hot. Instead, keep your dog’s water nice and cool in a stainless-steel travel-water bottle and even better yet, pop that into a portable cooler or travel cooler bag.

Entice your dog’s taste buds by adding Primalvore’s bone broth to his water! Not only will bone broth increase the likelihood your dog will drink his water, it will also provide a protein boost and vital minerals, perfect to keep your dog moving. I’m a big fan of Primalvore because the bones they use for their broths are made from humanely raised, human-grade free-range meat bones. The cattle are 100% grass fed, and the chickens are 100% free range. The beef and chicken bone broths come from organic cow and chicken bones (no antibiotics or added hormones). Both the turkey and duck bones are also antibiotic- and hormone-free.

I make adding bone broth to Dexter’s drinking water very easy. I make bone broth ice cubes and store them in a glass container. When I’m preparing Dexter’s travel-water bottle, I just pop a couple of cubes inside. Easy-peasy. Now that I add Primalvore’s bone broth to Dexter’s travel bottle, I have zero issues getting him to drink.

So, remember to keep your dog hydrated, and if you have the slightest concern that your dog may be dehydrated, seek medical assistance right away.

Visit Primalvore today to boost your dog’s health.

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Read on how to keep your dog cool during the summer.