Dehydration poses threat to doggies during hot summer days

When a dog runs around Schenely Plaza on a warm, sunny day in the summer, it immediately becomes the center of attention.

But just like humans who engage in outside recreation, that pooch can quickly become dehydrated. Pet owners must take precautions to prevent their pets from dehydration in the hot weather. 

Dogs are vulnerable to overheating, which can escalate the symptoms that accompany dehydration and pose serious risks for dogs. Dehydration, if not reversed with proper hydration, can result in major health complications. 

“Water is essential to all living beings, including dogs, who depend on proper daily fluid intake to maintain appropriate health,” Maurene Baum of the Western Pennsylvania Kennel Association said in an email. “It makes up to 80 percent of your dog’s body.” According to Baum, water is vital for canines’ natural processes, including circulation and digestion.

But how can one tell if Fido is dehydrated? Symptoms of dehydration in dogs include sunken eyes, uncharacteristic lethargy, a loss of appetite, excessive drooling, dry mouth and depression, all of which are markedly similar to the symptoms observable in humans — except maybe the drooling.

But dehydration isn’t the only risk that the summer months pose for dogs. In a press release on monitoring canine health during the hot-weather months, Gretchen Fieser of the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society warns pet owners that animals can become sunburned, just like people.

“Dogs should be outside for no more than 15 minutes when it is uncomfortable for humans to be outside,” Dan Goldberg, president of the Keystone Canine Training Club, said. 

Pet owners should be vigilant of the potential harm that might befall their pups during this summer season by providing their pets with water and proper hydration. But for untrained or unfamiliar pet owners, it can be difficult to tell whether  a dog is dehydrated or just out of breath.

Goldberg recommends two tests for dehydration.

For the first test, Goldberg instructs pet owners to pinch the skin on their dog’s back into a fold and observe whether or not it stays in place or returns to its normal position. If the skin remains upward in a ridge, then the dog might be dehydrated. 

The second test, he says, calls for the pet owner to stick his or her finger into the dog’s mouth and press on its gum line — which should be wet and slick, not dry and sticky — until it becomes white. If the gum remains white without returning to its normal pink coloring within three seconds of the pet owner removing his or her finger, then there is a chance that the animal is dehydrated.

Goldberg warns against harmful behaviors such as leaving a dog in the car without the air conditioning running or leaving the dog outside without sufficient water, even if the dog is in a shady area. 

Baum recommends providing clean water that is changed regularly to ensure freshness. Pet owners should wash the bowl containing the water on a daily basis to prevent the spread of waterborne bacteria that might exacerbate illness if dehydration does set in. 

According to Baum, a dog should drink at least one ounce of water for each pound of its bodyweight per day. So, for example, if someone owns a Jack Russell terrier, which typically weighs about 15 pounds, that little guy should drink at least 15 ounces of water each day.

Although prevention is key, there are some things outside a pet owner’s control in the summer heat because some dogs are more susceptible to dehydration and overheating because of their breed or underlying health conditions.

“It is important to note that pets with flat faces, like Pugs, English bulldogs and Persian cats, are more susceptible to heat stroke since they cannot pant as effectively as animals with a longer snout,” the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society said. “These pets, along with older pets, overweight pets and those with heart or lung diseases, should be kept in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.”

To add to that list, Baum says that dogs suffering from kidney disorders, cancer and infectious diseases, along with pregnant or nursing dogs and diabetic dogs whose conditions aren’t properly cared for, also face higher risk of dehydration.

In the event of dehydration, a pet owner should immediately take action. If the condition is serious, veterinary assistance should be sought immediately. Pet owners should give their dogs fresh water as soon as possible, and Goldberg recommends wrapping the animal in a wet blanket or towel to help its gradually cool off. But owners shouldn’t douse or bathe the dog  in cold water, as this might send its body into shock.

“A veterinarian will administer intravenous or subcutaneous fluids,” said Baum, who also said the veterinarian might run tests if he or she feels it is necessary to look for any underlying causes of the condition aside from the heat.

When caring for a dog in these hot summer months, not only is prevention key, but preparation is equally as important. There’s a tie for the best way to treat dehydration: Ensure it doesn’t happen in the first place and also have the ability to identify it and recognize when to seek help.