With the summer heat setting in, it’s more important than ever to ensure your dog stays properly hydrated so you can both enjoy the warmer months with them.
Dehydration in dogs can lead to serious health complications if not addressed quickly — but the good news is, it’s often preventable, with the right planning and care in place.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to keep your dog happy, healthy, and hydrated.
What is dehydration in dogs?
Dehydration, put simply, occurs when a dog loses more fluids than they are taking in.
Water is essential for every bodily function, from circulation and digestion to temperature regulation, so it’s important that all of our dog owners are clued up!
When fluid levels drop, organs and tissues start to suffer. Without prompt treatment, dehydration in dogs can quickly become life-threatening.
How much water should a dog drink per day?
A rough guide for the summer is that dogs should generally drink about 50–60 millilitres of water per kilogram of body weight each day.
If you have a dog who is larger or generally more active, this could mean they need more water to keep their body functioning correctly.
What causes dog dehydration?
There are many reasons a dog may become dehydrated, and not all of them are weather-related.
We’ve listed a few of them below:
- Excessive heat or exercise without enough water
- Vomiting or diarrhoea due to illness
- Fever or infection
- Underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes or kidney disease
- Not drinking enough water, especially in hot weather or after a change in diet
Signs of dehydration in dogs
Most owners know when something is wrong with their dog and when they might need medical help.
To spot the signs of dehydration in dogs, you can use our list as a guide:
- Lethargy or weakness
- Dry, sticky gums
- Sunken eyes
- Loss of skin elasticity (the “skin tent” test)
- Panting or increased heart rate
- Decreased urination
How can you tell if a dog is dehydrated at home?
If there aren’t any immediate signs your dog could be dehydrated, you can try performing a test on your dog – this is called the skin tent test.
This is a super simple test, and to try this, all you need to do is:
- Gently lift the skin at the back of your dog’s neck or between the shoulder blades.
- In a well-hydrated dog, the skin should spring back immediately.
- If it takes a few seconds to return to normal, your dog may be dehydrated.
Another important thing to check is your dog’s gums, this is because dehydrated dog gums will look dry or tacky, whereas healthy gums should be moist and pink.
If you have any concerns, please get in touch with us immediately.
How is dehydration treated at Aldgate Vets?
When a dog is brought to Aldgate Vets with suspected dehydration, our first step is to assess the severity and investigate the cause.
- Our team will take blood samples. These are taken to check hydration status, electrolyte levels, and underlying health issues.
- Based on the results, we will then administer fluids either under the skin (subcutaneously) for mild cases, or intravenously (IV) in more severe cases to rehydrate quickly and safely.
- We also address any underlying conditions, such as infections or gastrointestinal issues, to prevent recurrence.
Common myths about dog dehydration
We hear all sorts of things and myths that some pet owners believe are helping keep their dogs hydrated, however, some can cause more harm than good.
We asked our team to help debunk the myths out there:
- Ice cubes are enough to keep my dog hydrated: These may be more fun for your dog, however, it shouldn’t be a substitute for water.
- My dog will drink when they are thirsty: Some dogs, especially older pets or those with medical conditions, may not drink enough on their own. Monitoring their intake is important, especially in warm weather.
- Splashing water on my dog cools them down: This might cool them down, but it won’t help with internal hydration because your dog still needs to drink to replace lost fluids.
How to prevent your dog from getting dehydrated
Preventing dog dehydration is always better than treatment.
Here are a few simple tips from our vets to keep your dog hydrated:
- Ensure fresh water is always available — indoors and outdoors.
- Carry portable water bowls and offer frequent drinks on walks.
- Avoid exercising your dog in the heat of the day.
- Add wet food or water to dry kibble for extra hydration.
- Watch out for early signs, especially after illness or hot days.
How long can a dog go without water?
Dogs should always have access to clean, fresh water. While they can technically survive without water for up to 72 hours, signs of dehydration can begin to appear within just 24 hours.
Factors such as temperature, activity level, and the dog’s size or breed can all influence how quickly dehydration sets in.
If you’re ever in doubt, get in touch with your vet as soon as possible.
We’re here to help
Whether you’re worried about your dog’s water intake or have questions about heat safety, our caring team at Aldgate Vets is here to help.
Call us today for more advice or to book a check-up at our practice.
