Dehydration in dogs

With the scorching summer heat well and truly upon us, dehydration is something we all must be aware of. Carrol Baker reports

Fun in the sun is what summertime is all about, but it can also potentially spell danger for our pets. The long lazy days are perfect for chilling with your friends and your four-legged buddies, too. But soaring temperatures can also increase the risk of serious conditions such as dehydration. This occurs when your pet doesn’t have enough fluid and electrolytes (minerals including sodium and potassium) circulating around the body. To avoid your pet becoming dehydrated, always be vigilant about easy access to cool, clean water, and remember that on hot days, water will evaporate quickly.

While cats and dogs can both be affected by dehydration, Dr Matthew Best from Brisbane Veterinary Specialist Centre says it’s more common in dogs. “Cats are desert animals so are resistant to dehydration,” says Dr Matthew. “Cats only drink very small amounts of water and have very concentrated urine.”

Dr Matthew says there are also other reasons why your cat or dog might become dehydrated that aren’t related to hot weather. “Underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, vomiting, diarrhoea, and fever or sickness, where a dog or cat may be unwell and unwilling to drink, can also lead to dehydration,” he says.

Encouraging your pet to drink up

• Add a bit of zing to your cat’s water bowl. “Most cats will enjoy tuna-flavoured water, so tip in the spring water out of a can of tuna,” suggests Dr Matthew.
• Dogs love chunks of ice in their water bowls in summer. They’ll happily slurp up the cool water and chase the cubes around the bowl. Pop a couple of ice cubes in your cat’s bowl too if you’re going out, to keep the water cool for longer.
• If you are using a metal bowl for your dog, it can heat up quickly on scorching summer days. Try switching to plastic.
• Cats can be a little fi nicky when it comes to drinking. “Yours might have a preference for rainwater or tap water,” says Dr Matthew. “They can also be fussy about bowl sizes — some like lower or higher bowls so the collar doesn’t hit the rim,” he says.
• Cool, clear running water will entice your pet to drink. Try a pet fountain.

The original article was published in PETS issue 63. Click here to subscribe to our magazine.