When it comes to looking out for our dogs, there are a lot of things that easily go unnoticed. Dogs are stoic animals and a lot of ailments can go under the radar for quite some time. Dogs generally enjoy drinking water, so we don’t always think about dehydration unless it’s really hot outside. But there are some symptoms you should watch out for as dehydration is a little more common than you might think.
#1 – Vomiting & Diarrhea
Vomiting and diarrhea are symptoms for very many illnesses in dogs, but these symptoms also start to appear from dehydration. What’s worse about these symptoms is that they can actually further dehydrate your dog. If your dog is vomiting or has diarrhea for longer than a few hours, consult your veterinarian.
#2 – Excessive Skin Tenting
Skin tenting describes the skin when it is pulled up away from the body. It creates a “tent” like shape and if it stays tented, your dog is dehydrated. If you think your dog might be dehydrated, look up examples of skin tenting tests on dogs of your pup’s similar body weight and size and compare the two. If the tenting seems to be any more excessive than normal, consult your veterinarian.
#3 – Lethargy
Dehydration is almost certain to make your dog tired. Our bodies need proper hydration to function normally and any less will start to cause fatigue very quickly. Unfortunately, lethargy can be the cause of many other ailments. Any sign of fatigue should be examined by a veterinarian.
#4 – Dry Mouth
Just like people, dogs that are dehydrated will start to have dry mucous membranes. If your dog has a dry mouth, you’ll want to take them in to see a veterinarian. Dry mucous membranes are a sure sign of dehydration and should be taken seriously.
#5 – Loss of Appetite
If your dog is dehydrated, he is probably not feeling well. Dogs that don’t feel well generally don’t have much of an appetite. If your dog is a picky eater, this might be a symptom that’s difficult to notice. However, most dogs that refuse food are showing clear signs of illness. If you can’t entice your dog to eat anything you need to consult your veterinarian quickly.
