Summer heat and time at higher altitudes can lead to dehydration for you and your dog. Know the symptoms of dehydration and heatstroke in dogs so you can monitor your pet and act quickly if they start to get sick.
Disclosure: I am not a veterinary professional. If you suspect that your dog may be dehydrated or heatstroke, call your veterinarian immediately.
One of the joys of traveling is taking a break from your normal routine. But it can also make it more difficult to keep track of whether your pet is drinking enough water or is overactive. Sunny days, high temperatures, familiar altitudes, high humidity, and lots of time outdoors can lead to dehydration and heatstroke in dogs.
Whether you’re driving, walking at the dog park, playing on the beach or hitting a trail, a little precaution is the best cure. So make sure to drink plenty of water and give your puppy plenty of opportunities to drink.
But even with your best efforts, dogs get excited and may not want to stop their activities long enough to stay hydrated. In those cases, leash the dog for short periods of time and encourage him to drink. And always keep an eye on him if there are any signs that he is unwell.
What is dehydration in dogs?
Dehydration occurs when dogs don’t have enough water in their bodies. A dog’s body is about 90% water, and normal activities like panting and drooling will reduce their fluids. Even a 10% drop in fluid intake can cause severe dehydration.
Prevent dogs from becoming dehydrated
The best way to prevent dehydration and heat stroke in dogs is to make sure your dog drinks plenty of water. Always have enough water for you and your dog – when you’re hiking, the dog can even bring his own doggy backpack! And remember to take frequent breaks to go for a drink.
READ MORE What is the best dog backpack?
Symptoms of dehydration in dogs
Dogs can’t tell you when they’re thirsty, so it’s important to always have fresh, cool water available for them. However, sometimes they get busy with squirrels hunting for food, hiking or planting trees and forget to stop for a drink. If you notice any of these symptoms, you need to act quickly to protect your dog:
- Sunken eyes
- Urinating too much or too little
- Dry, sticky gums
- The skin is less elastic, which means that if you hold the skin on the dog’s neck and release it, it will bounce back into place. In dehydrated dogs, the skin becomes wrinkled and the longer it is left, the more severe the dehydration becomes.
What to do if your dog shows signs of dehydration?
If you think your dog may be dehydrated, the main goal is to give him more fluids.
- Move him to a shady location to try to reduce panting.
- Offer your child cool water, which can be mixed into unsalted chicken broth or Pedialyte to encourage them to drink.
If your dog is severely dehydrated, it could be an emergency. Call your vet or find the nearest emergency veterinary hospital where IV fluids can be given.
READ MORE What You Should Know About Emergency Veterinarians (Before You Need It)
What is heat stroke in dogs?
Heatstroke in dogs is an extremely dangerous condition that occurs when dogs are unable to maintain a normal body temperature (about 101°F) by panting.
Heat and humidity raise your dog’s temperature, and at 106°F, his internal organs can begin to shut down. At that point, you only have a few minutes to cool him down, otherwise he could suffer permanent organ damage or die.
Factors that increase your chance of having a heat stroke
Something as unique as your dog’s temperament can raise its body temperature. For example, a pet that is anxious, excited or scared or barks excessively, is more likely to suffer from heatstroke than a calm animal.
Also, dogs with short noses, like Pugs, Bulldogs, and Shar-Pei are more likely to experience heat-related problems, as they have less tongue area to dissipate heat. Other factors that can affect temperature are:
- Direct sun
- High humidity
- Missing a breeze
- Health and weight of pets
- Thickness of dog hair
- Fresh water available
- Recent feeding
- Dogs with short legs also suffer more heat from the ground
How to help your dog beat the heat
As pet owners, we have a responsibility to do our best to keep our pets safe from the heat. Here are some suggestions to help your dog stay calm:
- Don’t leave your pet alone in the car
- Minimize outdoor activities on hot and humid days
- Exercise in the early morning and evening when the temperature is cooler
- Keep your dog in a cool place in the house, like a basement or an air-conditioned room
- Make sure your pets always have clean water
- When your dog is outside, make sure they have shade, wind, and consider a children’s pool for them to cool off.
READ MORE Is it illegal to leave your pet alone in the car?
Symptoms of heat stroke in dogs
Often people do not realize the symptoms of heat stroke and lose important treatment time. Monitor your dog closely for the following signs:
- Excessive panting
- Pale gums and bright red tongue
- Worrying expression or staring
- Disorientation and confusion
- Increase heart rate and pulse
- Thick saliva
- Vomiting
- Shortness of breath
- Fall
- Comatose
Just learning how to check your dog’s pulse, respiration, and temperature any time they feel unwell can help you gauge their pain, injury, or illness. And that can help you decide on the right course of action.
READ MORE How to check your dog’s pulse, respiration and temperature
Capturing and recording your dog’s vitals when they are healthy gives you a basis for knowing when something is amiss. The difference between your dog’s normal readings and what they experience when they’re unwell could very well prompt you to seek professional medical help.
Heat stroke treatment
Timing is important if your dog is suffering from canker sores. Don’t panic and follow these steps:
- If you are outdoors, move the dog into the shade.
- If you are indoors, move them to an air-conditioned place or place them in front of a fan. The airflow will help his body cool down.
- Monitor its temperature with a rectal thermometer and contact the nearest emergency veterinarian.
- Place your child in a tub of warm water, and pour or gently tap cool water over him. (The use of an ice pack is not recommended, as you may be applying too much cold.)
- Give your child some water, but don’t let him drink to the point of vomiting.
- Gently massage and flex your legs to encourage circulation.
- As your dog recovers from heatstroke, schedule a thorough examination with your veterinarian to rule out organ damage.
It’s disappointing when your plans are thwarted by the weather. But no activity is worth risking your pet’s health! Dehydration and heatstroke in dogs are serious conditions that no pet owner wants to deal with.
When it’s too warm to play outside safely, find yourself a fan and take a nap together.
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