Even though the fantastic weather allows us to spend more time outside, the heat can increase the risk of dehydration for both us and our cherished family members who are dogs and cats. Both our immediate and long-term health depend on maintaining proper hydration, and the same is true for our pets! Serious illness or even death may ensue if the body's water content falls below acceptable levels.
So that you and your furry best friend can "go with the flow" of good health, even in hot weather, we'd love to talk about everything related to hydration!
Why your pet's health depends on proper hydration
Hydration refers to the total water content of the body, which includes all of the water that is present in the body's cells as well as the water that surrounds cells, is found in our blood, and is found in the gut.
Maintaining essential body structures and functions requires drinking enough water, including:
- delivering oxygen and essential nutrients to cells through the bloodstream
- eliminating waste from the body through feces and urine
- controlling body temperature by means of mechanisms like perspiration
- moisturizing the mouth, nose, and eye tissues
- Facilitating the process of digestion
- Joint lubrication for comfortable mobility
- safeguarding vital organs like the brain and bodily tissues
Typical symptoms and indicators of dehydration
Severe dehydration can have harmful health consequences, such as:
- Absence of the capacity to control body temperature
- several organs, including the heart and brain, experiencing dysfunction
- harm to the kidney and other organs
The percentage of total body water that the pet has lost will determine the symptoms of dehydration. Although healthy pets typically exhibit compensatory symptoms like increased thirst and more concentrated urine as their body attempts to regain and hold onto water, it can be challenging to identify less than 5% dehydration based solely on physical examination.
A pet will start to exhibit symptoms like these after losing more than 5% of their body water:
- Gums that are sticky and dry
- decreased intestinal motility
- Decreased suppleness of the skin
- Sunken, dry eyes
- Depression
- Weakness
If a pet loses more than 10–12% of their body water, they run a significant risk of becoming seriously ill and possibly dying.
There are two methods to check your pet's level of hydration at home:
- By gently pinching up a "tent" of skin over their shoulders and timing how long it takes for the skin to retract back into a normal flat position, the skin turgor test is used to assess the elasticity of their skin. The skin of pets that are more than 5% dehydrated will be less elastic and will remain tented for a longer period of time instead of snapping back into place in a matter of seconds.
- Examining their gums: If they are more than 5% dehydrated, they will feel sticky and dry.
It is important to get prompt veterinary care if a pet:
- has not been drinking regularly for more than 12 to 24 hours in healthy pets, or 6 to 12 hours in very young or elderly pets, or those with other health issues, or is exhibiting any signs of being more than 5% dehydrated.
Reasons and danger signs
Natural bodily water loss occurs through breathing, panting, sweating, and urination and feces. Although the body has intelligent systems to help keep track of and maintain proper hydration (hormones to increase thirst or decrease water loss through urine, for example), certain pets may be more susceptible to unhealthful water loss. These include nursing mothers, animals with underlying medical conditions like diabetes or kidney disease, and animals that are extremely young or old.
Furthermore, any pet who is denied access to enough drinking water or who suffers from severe fluid loss due to vomiting, diarrhea, or bleeding may become dehydrated. Additionally, dogs and cats who exercise vigorously or in hot weather are more likely to become dehydrated because they will lose fluid through panting or heavy breathing.
How to Avoid Dehydration: Useful Advice
- The most crucial way to keep your pet from becoming dehydrated is to make sure they are drinking enough water! To promote your pet's healthy drinking habits, you can:
- Putting several bowls of fresh water in various places throughout the house that are cleaned and replaced every day
- ensuring that every pet in the house has access to at least one bowl of water, plus an additional one to prevent competition (it happens!).
- Providing easy access to water dishes for pets with mobility issues and elevating water bowls off the ground if they seem to have difficulty bending down
- Giving your pet access to a moving water source, such as a pet water fountain, can help them drink more, especially cats.
- supplying pet popsicles, which are ice with delicious frozen treats inside!
- Giving your pet a portion of their regular foodin the form of premium canned food
- Adding waterto your pet's food or using low-sodium chicken broth or canned tuna springwater to flavor some of their drinking water
- Trying out various kinds of water bowls (since some cats dislike narrow bowls that will come into contact with their whiskers or plastic bowls)
- Discussing hydration supplements with your vet
In hot or muggy weather, keeping your four-legged friend cool will also help to minimize water loss from excessive panting. To achieve this, make sure your pet has access to shade at all times, refrain from exercising in the middle of the day, and provide them with air conditioning or a fan when it would be too hot for you to sit outside! By taking these precautions, you can also lower your pet's risk of dangerous heatstroke, which is especially common in thick-coated and brachycephalic (flatter-faced) pets.
Options for veterinary care and treatment:
Dogs and cats who experience severe dehydration as a result of disease or trauma should be evaluated by a veterinarian right away because they frequently need to be rehydrated medically to avoid worsening their condition.
Pets that are not vomiting but are mildly dehydrated can typically be rehydrated with drinking water, oral rehydration formulas (which contain extra glucose and balanced electrolytes), or cautious syringe or tube feeding under veterinary supervision.
Subcutaneous fluids may need to be given to pets who are vomiting and mildly dehydrated. Sterile medical saline solutions are injected beneath the skin in this procedure, where they will progressively permeate the body. It may sound frightening, but it's not!
It is best to give intravenous fluids (a drip) to animals that are moderately to severely dehydrated. Prolonged dehydration can harm vital organs, so early intervention is essential.
Observation and upkeep
It's advised to do routine hydration checks to make sure your pet stays properly hydrated. This is especially crucial during hot weather or if your pet is more likely than usual to become dehydrated (such as very young, elderly, or sick animals). This can be as easy as keeping an eye on your pet's urine to make sure they are passing it frequently and that it appears to be a healthy straw-yellow color. If you are worried, you can also do the hydration tests (skin turgor and gum checks) that were covered above.
Setting up routine veterinary examinations for your pet every six to twelve months can help identify any emerging health problems that could increase their risk of dehydration. The assurance that you will be able to pay for your pet's recommended care in the event of an unforeseen illness or injury is another benefit of having pet insurance.
The bottom line? Drinking water is good for you!
Maintaining your pet's hydration is a crucial part of promoting their overall health. It's wise to be aware of the circumstances that might make it difficult for your pet to stay hydrated, and you should always contact your veterinarian right away if you have any worries.
Maintaining proper hydration is crucial, particularly for your cherished pet. Monitoring your pet's water intake is crucial for their health, regardless of the situation—hot weather, extra zoomies, or simply a hectic day.
Written with love by HOME PAW CARE. 💓
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