The dog days of summer have arrived! You’re thoroughly enjoying watching your puppy try to attract the stream shooting out of the water hose. You know it’s only a matter of time before your puppy gets curious about digging up your Early Girl tomato plants, and those lazy summer evenings are entertaining watching your puppy chase fireflies.
You may be searching for ideas to keep your puppy cool this summer and have found some great ways that work with both your puppy and your family. Summertime brings lots of fun in the sun, but we as puppy owners shouldn’t take the nice weather for granted. As responsible pet owners, it’s our job to make sure our puppies don’t become dehydrated and to know what to do if we think they are lacking in fluids.
Some puppies will experience normal mild dehydration and are able to self-regulate. You’ve seen your puppy happy and tired after a fun afternoon at the dog park, and they’ll usually head straight to their water bowl when given the opportunity before plopping down on the cool floor for a well-earned nap.
However, other puppies will not be able to self-regulate and correct their dehydration, and they need our help. Discover puppy dehydration signs and symptoms, reasons for puppy dehydration, and what to do if you suspect your puppy is dehydrated to keep your puppy cool and hydrated during this hot summer (and year-round).
10 Signs of Dehydration in Puppies
While puppies can’t talk to us (as much as we’d love them to chat over biscuits and treats), if we pay attention, your puppy will exhibit signs he or she is dehydrated. Here are some common signs of puppy dehydration to look for:
1. Decreased skin elasticity & skin test
Dehydration can cause a puppy's skin to lose elasticity. The skin test, also known as the skin turgor, skin elasticity test, tent test, or pinch test, is one of the easiest ways to check for dehydration in puppies.
To perform this test, gently pinch and lift the skin on the back of the puppy's neck or between their shoulder blades. Release the skin and observe how quickly it returns to its normal position. In a well-hydrated puppy, the skin will quickly snap back into place.
However, if the skin takes longer to return to its normal position or remains tented, it could indicate dehydration. This test works because when a puppy is dehydrated, their skin loses some of its elasticity due to a lack of fluid in their body.
2. Excessive panting
Puppies that are dehydrated may exhibit excessive panting, as this is their way of trying to cool down. A puppy rapidly expels air when it pants which helps to evaporate moisture from its tongue and respiratory tract, facilitating heat loss. However, if they continue to pant heavily even when resting, it could be a sign of dehydration.
3. Dry nose
A puppy with a dry nose may be dehydrated. The nose should be not too wet, but definitely not too dry. Mucus glands inside a dog's nostrils help trap scent particles and cool the air they breathe. If a dog’s nose is dry, he or she may experience trouble breathing or smelling – a primary sense they need.
4. Sunken eyes
Dehydration can cause a puppy's eyes to appear sunken in or hollow. There is less fluid in their body to keep their face looking plump, revealing the orbital bones more prominently.
5. Lethargy or weakness
Dehydrated puppies may lack energy and become lethargic or weak. They may want to play or exercise less than usual. You may notice them lying down curled up or on their side, not really responsive to coaxing or encouragement to get up and move around.
6. Loss of appetite
Dehydration can also lead to a loss of appetite in puppies. They may not be interested in eating or drinking water. A dog’s stomach will have a hard time breaking down food due to a lack of water in the body to produce enough fluid to aid in digestion.
7. Thick and sticky saliva
When a puppy is dehydrated, their saliva may become thick and sticky, a result of decreased water intake. This is the body's way of conserving fluids and preventing further dehydration when salivary glands don’t have enough moisture to function.
8. Dry mouth
Along with a dry nose, a dehydrated puppy may have dry gums and mouth. You may see them smacking their lips and rolling their tongue around in an attempt to moisten the mouth. Gums should be pink and moist, so be sure to check for any change in color or wetness. Dehydrated puppy gums are sometimes described as being “tacky.”
9. Rapid heartbeat
A puppy's heart rate may increase when they are dehydrated as their body works harder to pump blood. When the heart beats too quickly, it doesn't have enough time to properly fill with blood between contractions. This can cause a decrease in the amount of oxygen that is transported throughout your puppy’s body, leading to tissue damage or even organ failure if left untreated.
10. Dark yellow urine or infrequent urination
A puppy's urine may become dark yellow, and they may urinate less frequently when dehydrated as their body tries to conserve fluids. Dark urine due to hydration also could signal major problems in the puppy's kidneys, liver, or bladder.
Why Is My Puppy Dehydrated?
You may be confused as to why your puppy is dehydrated. There may be some obvious event, but maybe you look over and notice but can’t think of a reason. Other times, the reason for your puppy’s dehydration is abundantly clear. Your puppy may be dehydrated due to a number of factors:
Insufficient fluid intake
If you aren’t sure why your dog is dehydrated, check this reason first. Some dogs may not drink enough water because they're picky eaters or don't have access to clean water. This can cause dehydration over time. Always make sure your puppy has fresh, clean water available. Decide if you need to have multiple water bowls. If you are forgetful, think of investing in an automatic water dispenser.
Heatstroke
Dogs are susceptible to heatstroke because they can't sweat like humans to cool their bodies. Instead, they sweat through their paws and through panting. If a dog is exposed to high temperatures for too long, it can lead to dehydration and other serious health issues.
Vomiting and diarrhea
When dogs have an upset stomach, they may vomit or have diarrhea. This can lead to a loss of fluids and electrolytes, causing dehydration. Dogs can vomit for a whole host of reasons, so it’s important to figure out why your puppy is vomiting to see if you need to call the vet.
Kidney disease
A puppy’s kidneys filter waste and excess fluids from the blood, which are then eliminated as urine. When the kidneys are not functioning properly, toxins and excess fluids build up in the body, causing a variety of symptoms, including dehydration. Kidney disease can also cause vomiting and diarrhea, which can further affect the chances of dehydration.
Other Illness
Dogs can become dehydrated if they're suffering from an illness such as diabetes or Cushing's disease. These conditions affect the body's ability to retain fluids, leading to dehydration. There are also some common puppy illnesses that may cause dehydration, so it’s important to stay up to date on vaccines.
Parasites
Parasites such as coccidia, giardia, and tapeworms can cause dehydration in dogs. These parasites live in the intestines and can cause diarrhea and vomiting, leading to a loss of fluids and electrolytes. If left untreated, these symptoms can become severe, causing dehydration and other health complications.
What Can I Do If My Puppy Is Dehydrated?
The worst thing you can do is do nothing! Dehydration in your puppy is a serious medical emergency that can lead to even worse problems.
The first thing we will always recommend is that you call your vet. Your licensed veterinarian will be able to assess the situation on the phone and may offer home treatment, suggest an office visit, or will send you to an emergency vet according to their professional opinion.
The second thing we recommend is to not panic! We know that’s easier said than done, but you need to be aware and fully capable of helping your puppy, which may include a stressful drive to the emergency vet where time is of the essence. There may also be messes you’ll need to clean up. All of these components can create an incredible amount of stress, so staying calm and collected will be required even if you are scared and worried.
Next, move your puppy to a cool area away from the heat and sun. During the hot summer months, it’s reasonable to assume dehydration is a result of a lack of access to fresh water or from being out in the elements for too long. Cooling them down will make them more comfortable and will help your puppy regulate his or her body temperature.
Offer your puppy small sips of water. It won’t be good for them to gulp down huge amounts, as they’re liable to vomit it up or overload their system with water.
Your veterinarian will run some tests to determine the cause of dehydration, as treating an intestinal parasite is very different from heat stroke. Your puppy will most likely be given hydration through an IV and may need to stay overnight depending on the severity of dehydration. And finally, you’ll hopefully get some concrete answers to see if this is a mild one-time situation or if your puppy has something more serious that will require ongoing treatment.
Keep a Pawrade Puppy Hydrated
If you have a water bowl for puppies already picked out but need, well, an actual puppy to stay hydrated, Pawrade is the place you need to be!
When you adopt a puppy through Pawrade, you can rest assured that your new furry friend will be happy and healthy. Your new pup will arrive fully vaccinated against common puppy illnesses like parvo and will have a Health Certificate from a USDA-licensed veterinarian. Plus, we offer a comprehensive Health Guarantee that outlines the responsibilities of both the breeder and the new puppy parents.
We are thrilled to provide you with the best and healthiest puppies for any lifestyle. Browse our puppies for sale to find the right puppy for you to keep well-hydrated while you watch them chase butterflies in the sunshine this summer!
