Dehydration: How Do I Tell If My Pet Is Getting Enough Fluid?

Drinking water is important for every living thing from plants to animals.  Our pets are obviously included in this so how do we as parents know if they are getting enough?  How do we know if they are dehydrated?  There are a few simple ways to tell.  One very simple thing to do is to make sure to leave water out for them to drink at all times.  That really is the best thing to do.  However, if you are already doing that then just watch their activity level.  Are they playing normally (or not playing as normal)?  Do they seem interested in the same things they have always been interested in?  If the answer is yes...great!

Here are some physical signs you can look for if you want to check further.  Your pet's eyes should always be bright and shiny and alert.  If they seem dull or 'sad' seeming then more than likely he/she doesn't feel good.  Another physical test for dehydration that I use literally all the time is to test the animal's gums to make sure they are moist and pink.  If they feel tacky and are white then the animal is dehydrated.  They normally do not like it that much but if they fight you a lot then they probably do not feel too bad.

This is what you are looking for when I mention "white gums"

Another physical test is what I like to call the "tent test".  I pull up the scruff (skin on the back of the neck) so it looks like a tent and then let go.  If it goes right back down then you have perfect hydration.  The longer it takes to go down the more dehydrated the animal.  I have seen rescued animals so dehydrated the tent just stayed up when I let go.  That type of dehydration takes an IV of fluid in the vet's office for a day or two.  Also, keep a check on their breathing because if the breathing is a little faster than normal you'll want to check the other things mentioned here.  Cats are particularly sensitive to dehydration and can go into shock so keep a close eye on them if you think your cat is dehydrated. 

So, what do you do if your pet is dehydrated?  Obviously fluid but what else?  Unflavored Pedialyte

will work wonders for hydration.  It has to be unflavored or the animal won't normally drink it, though.  Any of the baby animal meal replacements you can find in the pet stores will work as well since they tend to like the taste and it's fluid.  You can also give them a little canned food (the kind with gravy) in with their dry kibble as well.  Just be sure to monitor how much they get at a time when hydrating them because if they drink too fast (and most of them do) they will vomit everything right back up which does neither of you any good.  Just give them small amounts of liquid at a time so their bodies have time to adjust to the liquid coming in and doesn't reject everything.

http://www.ehow.com/how_5852091_rehydrate-sick-dog.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_8671227_tell-cat-hydrated.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_8551695_keep-cat-hydrated.html

The important thing to monitor with this in addition to intake is output.  If your pet is taking in a gallon of water, for example, but only outputting a cup then a trip to the vet sooner than later is warranted because something is wrong.  There are many medical reasons this could be happening and you don't want to prolong a diagnosis or treatment.  If you do end up at your vet's office, be sure to mention all treatments you have done at home to help your pet so the vet can give you an appropriate treatment and diagnosis.  It's always important to tell your vet everything that is a change in your pet's life so he/she has the full story as to what is going on and what may or may not have contributed to your visit.  If you only feed dry kibble, though, it is extra important that you leave water out for your pet at all times so he/she has access since they are not getting this moisture through their food.  I personally feed dry only (wet only as a treat) and have a 2.5 gallon water container out all the time for two dogs and that lasts about a week or less depending on how long they have played and what the temperature is outside.  They go through more on the weekends.

I hope this information has helped you and maybe someone learned something they didn't know.  Feel free to research on your own or ask your vet anything you question here. 

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