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Be drink aware...
 Dehydration
in dogs is a common, potentially life-threatening condition. It's the result of
not drinking enough water and electrolytes or losing too much fluid and will
affect performance in milder cases and require immediate veterinary attention in
more severe cases.
Research by
Slurps has found that two out of three
dogs* don't drink
enough. Susan Gregory, Chief Slurper,
shares some ways to keep your dog safe.
Water is the single most
important nutrient for humans and dogs alike.
All dogs struggle to stay cool in high
temperatures and humid conditions since, unlike humans, they are unable to cool
down quickly through sweating, which is especially pertinent when we are at
training and shows. Dogs don’t know how much activity you have planned, or that
they need to drink more in warmer weather so it’s really important that owners
manage their hydration.
Unlike humans, dogs don't
know how long they will be running for, or that warmer temperatures require more
hydration so it's really important to make sure they drink enough.
The BVA reports that exertional, heat-related
illness is a particular problem for younger dogs, active dogs (including
Labrador Retrievers, Border Collies, Boxers and Staffordshire Bull Terriers),
and particularly male dogs. They also state that in the UK,
one
in seven dogs affected by heat-related illness will die.
1. How
often should your dog drink?
The answer is before,
during, and after exercise. Whenever you drink water, you should also offer
some to your dog. For shorter sessions (5km or less), you might not always
take along bottled water, and your dog might be okay waiting until you get
home. For longer sessions, always bring a portable dog bowl.
Watch out!
Always avoid puddles
– particularly in car parks, which harbour toxins and contaminants dogs should
not ingest.
2. How
much should your dog drink?
 In
cool weather,
vets recommend 50ml
per kg bodyweight per day for an averagely exercised dog.
-
Small dogs
(10-15kg) need 500-750ml of water daily (1-1.5 bowls)
-
Medium dogs
(20-30kg) need 1-1.5 litres (2-3 bowls)
-
Large dogs
(40kg+) need a minimum of 2 litres (4 bowls +)
Watch out! In warmer
weather and for sport and more active dogs, vets recommend increasing the above
by 50%.
3. How do
you get your dog to drink?
Just like the proverbial
horse, you can lead a dog to water but it's really hard to make them drink if
they're not interested.
-
Drop a treat in a
water bowl and say the word 'drink' when your dog goes for it. They'll soon
associate the word with the action.
-
Hydration drinks such
as Slurps are super tasty,
nutritious drinks made from all natural and organic ingredients. They smell
amazing to dogs and can stimulate them into drinking when water doesn't
work. They also contain high Omega 3 and six fish oils so it's added
goodness.
Watch out! Make sure your
dog doesn't drink an entire bowl of water in one go or you might see it all come
back up! Moderate their drinking, even if it means taking the water bowl to slow
things down.
What are
the signs of dehydration in dogs?
Most
owners can tell when their dog isn't 100%, but everyone should be aware of early
signs of dehydration.
Early symptoms of
dehydration include excessive panting, loss of appetite and general lethargy. At
this point, get your dog into a cool place, ideally place a cool wet towel over
them / stand them in cold water and hydrate them slowly with water or something
with more nutrients.
More advanced symptoms of
dehydration are extremely serious. If you see these, you should take your dog to
a vet immediately.
-
The pinch test
Hold the skin on the back
of your dog's neck and then let go
Return to normal = properly hydrated
Stays wrinkled = seriously dehydrated
-
The gum test
Run your fingers over your dog's gums
Slimy = hydrated
Dry = dehydrated
-
The poke test:
What's normal? When you know your dog is hydrated, press your fingers
against their gums until the tissue goes white. Stop pressing and time how
long it takes for the gums go pink again.
Next time you're
concerned about your dog's hydration, do the poke test again. If it takes longer
than normal for the gums to go pink, your dog needs a drink.
 Remember
the basics...
-
If the weather is
over 22C, it's likely to be too hot for most dogs.
-
If the pavement is
too hot to touch, it's too hot for your dog's pads.
-
Take extreme care
with large dogs, older dogs, thick-coated dogs and brachycephalic breeds.
-
Exercise in the
mornings or evenings when it's cooler or choose shady spots.
-
Take frequent
hydration breaks.
-
*Slurps
research. 150 dogs May 2019
For more
information, visit
British Veterinary Association or
Slurps
First published: 28th August 2020
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