How to Determine if a Dog Is Dehydrated

Last Updated: May 6, 2024 Approved

A dog will become dehydrated if it loses more fluid than it drinks. For example, a dog with an upset stomach that loses fluid through diarrhea and/or vomiting it is at risk of becoming dehydrated very quickly. Dogs can become dehydrated for many other reasons as well. Not having access to water on a hot day, for example, can quickly lead to dehydration. ^{[1]
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Research source
Practical emergency and critical care nursing. Aldridge. Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell.} Recognizing dehydration is the first step in either correcting the problem yourself, by making sure the dog has enough to drink or seeking veterinary help if needed.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Checking for Signs of Dehydration

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1
Pay attention to your dog's behavior. A dehydrated dog with the energy to do so will typically seek water to drink. If your dog is dehydrated, you may notice unusual behavior, such as restlessness or pacing, as if looking for water. ^{[2]
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Research source
Small animal emergency and critical care for veterinary technicians. Battaglia. Publisher: Saunders.}
- Your dog may repeatedly lick its lips and/or have an anxious facial expression if it is unable to find enough water. ^{[3]
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  Research source
  Small animal emergency and critical care for veterinary technicians. Battaglia. Publisher: Saunders.}
- Some dehydrated dogs will also lie with their nose resting against their water bowl. ^{[4]
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  Research source
  Small animal emergency and critical care for veterinary technicians. Battaglia. Publisher: Saunders.}
2
Check the dog's scruff. The classic dehydration test that you've probably seen the vet do at the animal clinic is lifting the dog's scruff. What this test actually measures is the skin's elastic recoil, which decreases with dehydration. ^{[5]
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Research source
Practical emergency and critical care nursing. Aldridge. Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell.} To do this test yourself, take the following steps:
- Locate the dog's scruff. This is the loose skin over the dog's shoulders or at the back of its neck.
- Elevate the scruff. Grasp the skin and gently raise it two to three inches above the dog's back in a vertical direction.
- Release the scruff and observe. Fully hydrated skin springs back instantaneously. When dehydration is present, the skin is less elastic, which means it will not fall back as quickly.
- If the skin takes more than two seconds to return to normal, the dog is dehydrated. ^{[6]
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  Research source
  Practical emergency and critical care nursing. Aldridge. Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell.}
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3
Check the dog's gums. Gums are a good indicator of early dehydration. Normal gums are moist and shiny, much like our own. Dehydrated animals often have dry or tacky feeling gums, because they produce less saliva. ^{[7]
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Research source
Practical emergency and critical care nursing. Aldridge. Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell.}
- Be aware that anxious or frightened animals may also have dry gums. Make sure your dog is relaxed when you check the gums or you can be misled. ^{[8]
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  Research source
  Practical emergency and critical care nursing. Aldridge. Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell.}
4
Check your dog's urine. If a dog does not take in enough water, its body will automatically take steps to preserve fluid. In this situation, it either will not urinate because its bladder is empty, or the urine it produces will be very concentrated. Concentrated urine is a deep yellow color. ^{[9]
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Research source
Practical emergency and critical care nursing. Aldridge. Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell.}
- This occurs because the dog's kidneys are working hard to recycle water in the body and hold onto it. ^{[10]
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  Research source
  Practical emergency and critical care nursing. Aldridge. Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell.}
- Take note if your dog seems to be urinating less than usual or if its urine is an unusual color.
5
See a veterinarian. If your dog seems healthy and there is a simple explanation for your dog's condition, such as an empty water bowl, give the dog water and watch for signs of improvement. If however, the dog is dehydrated and seems sick, or if providing water doesn't help, contact your veterinarian. ^{[11]
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Research source
Small animal emergency and critical care for veterinary technicians. Battaglia. Publisher: Saunders.}
- Some dehydrated animals need to receive fluids through an IV in order to protect their organ functions while they rehydrate. ^{[12]
  X
  Research source
  Small animal emergency and critical care for veterinary technicians. Battaglia. Publisher: Saunders.}

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Recognizing the Risk Factors for Dehydration

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1
Keep an eye on the water supply. There are many circumstances that can cause a dog to become dehydrated, but the most obvious and easy to control is your dog's access to water.
- If the dog drinks all of its water, or its water bowl gets knocked over and it is left without a refill for a long period of time, this can result in dehydration. Make sure your dog has ample water, especially on hot days. ^{[13]
  X
  Research source
  Practical emergency and critical care nursing. Aldridge. Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell.}
- Dehydration can occur quickly, sometimes within an hour or so depending on the temperature. ^{[14]
  X
  Research source
  Practical emergency and critical care nursing. Aldridge. Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell.}
2
Make sure the dog drinks regularly. Even if your dog has access to water, it will become dehydrated if it doesn't drink it often enough. Keep an eye on your dog to make sure it visits the water bowl frequently.
- For example, an older dog that suffers from arthritis and is too sore to get up and drink when it is thirsty is at risk of becoming dehydrated. ^{[15]
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  Research source
  Practical emergency and critical care nursing. Aldridge. Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell.}
- The problem is made worse if the dog has other health problems such as diabetes or renal disease because its body will tend to produce a lot of urine. A dog with these problems will lose fluid at a faster rate than a healthy animal. This form of dehydration is chronic, which means it develops slowly over several days and is likely to reoccur. ^{[16]
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  Research source
  Practical emergency and critical care nursing. Aldridge. Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell.}
- Likewise, if a dog is ill and stops eating and drinking due to a lack of appetite, it is at risk of dehydration.
3
Beware of diarrhea. Watery feces contains a lot of fluid, which means more rapid loss of water, and thus an increased risk of dehydration. ^{[17]
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Research source
Practical emergency and critical care nursing. Aldridge. Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell.}
- If the dog is drinking enough, the risk of dehydration is reduced. A dog without access to water or with no desire to drink, however, can become dehydrated very quickly if suffering from diarrhea. ^{[18]
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  Practical emergency and critical care nursing. Aldridge. Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell.}
4
Watch for vomiting. Vomiting can be a serious problem because the dog is unable to retain any water it drinks. ^{[19]
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Research source
Practical emergency and critical care nursing. Aldridge. Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell.}
- Closely watch a dog that is vomiting and contact the veterinarian if you suspect he is dehydrated or if the condition occurs often.

Expert Q&A

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Question

My dog got overheated and has been drinking water but is now vomiting. What should I do?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Make sure she's in a cool place and bring her body temperature down by wetting her coat and paws. If she drank a lot of water in one go, this could make her sick. Let her stomach rest for half an hour, and then offer her small amounts of water and wait to see if this stays down. You can also dab her gums and tongue with a damp towel to make her more comfortable. If she continues to vomit, then it's essential to see the vet.

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Question

Which is better at rehydrating a dog, Pedialyte or water?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Pedialyte contains electrolytes which replace those lost when a dog vomits or has diarrhea. In this respect Pedialyte is superior to water. However, many dogs don't like the salty taste and will refuse to drink Pedialyte in which case, it is much better if the dog drinks water than nothing at all.

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The best way to both prevent and cure dehydration is to make sure your dog always has plenty of clean drinking water. ^{[20]
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Small animal emergency and critical care for veterinary technicians. Battaglia. Publisher: Saunders.}

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If you think your dog is thirsty, don't wait until you see these symptoms. Just fill up the dog's water bowl whenever it gets low.

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Warnings

If your dog seems weak, tired, and/or won't drink, or if water doesn't reduce dehydration symptoms, consult the vet.

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Untreated, dehydration can lead to organ failure. This can ultimately be fatal.

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How to Determine if a Dog Is Dehydrated

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Checking for Signs of Dehydration

Recognizing the Risk Factors for Dehydration

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