Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment of Dehydration in Dogs and Cats

Dehydration in dogs and cats is a common, potentially life-threatening condition.  It is the result of an excessive loss of fluid or inadequate intake of both water and electrolytes from your pet’s body that is needed to perform basic metabolic functions.  Dehydration causes a decrease in the volume of circulating blood, and this hinders the delivery of oxygen to critical organs and tissues.

Problems associated with pet dehydration closely parallel the problems that humans experience when they are dehydrated.  Even mild dehydration can cause serious health problems. Heat stroke, kidney and circulatory system problems are some of the life-threatening conditions that can occur when a pet is dehydrated.

Important!  Do not attempt to treat a pet’s dehydration at home. If you suspect that your dog or cat is dehydrated, be safe and take him to your veterinarian as quickly as you can.

Symptoms

Lethargy or listlessness
Loss of appetite
Sunken eyes

Dogs – Dry mouth and sticky gums (If you press your finger against your dog’s gums, there should be a                                  white mark or blanched area, but it should return to its normal color in a few seconds. If your dog is                            dehydrated, it will take longer for that area to return to its normal pink color.)

Cats – Thick gel-like saliva (Touch your cat’s gums. They should be wet and saliva should be liquid, not thick,                        rope-like, or have a gel consistency, which would indicate dehydration.)

Loss of skin elasticity (Gently life the skin on the back of your pet’s neck around the shoulder blades. When you let go of the skin, it should spring right back into place immediately.  If it doesn’t fall back into place or takes a while to     return to a normal position, your pet may be dehydrated.  Do not depend on this test to determine if your pet is dehydrated; if there are signs of illness, please take him to your vet as soon as possible.)

Too much or too little urination

Constipation

Causes

Lack of available water
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Fever
Trauma or stress
Heatstroke or overexposure to heat
Overeating
Gastrointestinal problems
Diabetes
Kidney disease or problems

Treatment

Again, do not attempt to treat dehydration at home. Your pet will not be able to drink enough water to correct the situation.  For your his safety and well-being, the best course of action is to have him treated by a veterinarian immediately if he is dehydrated.

Your veterinarian will examine your pet determine the level of his dehydration and possible causes

Cat receiving subcutaneous fluids for dehydration

Fluids will then most likely be administered either subcutaneously (just under the skin), or intravenously, which is the most efficient method.  The IV method takes longer, and your pet may need to be hospitalized if this is the case.

Medications and/or antibiotics may be prescribed to your pet, depending on the underlying cause of the problem.

After your pet is re-hydrated, your veterinarian should perform proper examinations and tests to determine the underlying cause of the problem and to ensure that there are no repeated issues with dehydration.

Prevention

Make cool, fresh water available to your pet at all times, and change it frequently to ensure freshness.               

Wash the water bowl daily to discourage bacteria from growing on the surface

Add liquid to your pet’s food, or feed wet food along with or instead of dry food.  Talk to your vet regarding the amount of fluids that your pet should have in his meals in order to avoid dehydration. Healthy vegetables added to your pet’s meals will also help in your pet’s hydration.

Keep a close eye on your pet when temperatures rise in the summer.  Do not let him get overheated, and if he goes outside make sure that he has access to a cool place with plenty of fresh water at all times.  Never leave your pet in a car in warm weather !   If you see a dog in a closed vehicle and it appears to be in distress from the heat, call 911 immediately!

** If your pet isn’t a water drinker by habit, try this trick –  I used it when my Betsy had kidney disease and needed to constantly be hydrated.  In addition to her weekly subcutaneous fluids which were given by needle just under her skin, I made “chicken water” for her.  She could never resist it!  Here’s how:  Boil frozen or fresh chicken breast portions (not breaded) in a covered pot with water until cooked through.  No salt, no seasonings.  Let it cool and serve the broth with your pet’s meals, or as a beverage treat throughout the day.  I preferred this recipe instead of canned chicken broth because there so much sodium in canned broth.  The chicken meat that you have boiled can be cut up and added to your pet’s dinner, and it will add more liquid to their daily intake.

Pet owners (or as I like to refer to them, “pet parents”), should learn to recognize the signs of dehydration and how to respond to it with prompt veterinary attention.  Your love and care will go a long way toward helping your pet feel better quickly so that he can live a long, healthy life with you.