July is National Pet Hydration Awareness Month and with another record-breaking heat wave sweeping most of the country, it’s a great time to remind not only pet owners, but anyone who comes across homeless animals and wildlife in these extreme conditions, the importance of ensuring water is available.
Dangerous levels of heat are forecast across many areas of the contiguous United States on Monday, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. About 14.7 million people — 4 percent of the population of the contiguous United States — live in the areas expected to have dangerous levels of heat.
The heat index is a measure of how hot it really feels outside, taking into account humidity along with temperature. The measurement is used to indicate when the level of heat is dangerous for the human body while in the shade. When out in the sun, a person could perceive that temperature as being higher by up to 15 degrees Fahrenheit (8.3 degrees Celsius). Hundreds of people die from extreme heat in the United States every year. On hot days, the National Weather Service recommends that people drink fluids, stay in cooler rooms, keep out of the sun and check up on relatives and neighbors, especially older people and those who live alone.
There’s no better way to fight back the blazing hot sun of July than by keeping your pets hydrated. Pet dehydration is a highly overlooked yet critical area that concerns your pet’s general health and well-being. Just as human bodies are 60% water, pets’ bodies are 80% water, and abruption in consistent replenishment can seriously limit their mobility and strength. A severe case of chronic dehydration can turn fatal as well.
Just like humans, pets rely on water to regulate their body temperature, aid digestion, and maintain overall health. Pets are particularly vulnerable to dehydration during the hot summer months, making it vital for pet owners to be vigilant about their water intake.
POSITIVE PET PROTOCAL TO FOLLOW
Provide Fresh Water: Ensure that your pets always have access to clean, fresh water. Refill their water bowls frequently and consider adding an ice cube to keep it cool.
Portable Water Bowls: When you’re out and about, bring a portable water bowl and a bottle of water for your pet. There are many convenient, collapsible bowls available that make it easy to hydrate your pet on the go.
Hydrating Foods: Incorporate wet food into your pet’s diet, as it contains higher moisture content than dry kibble. You can also offer hydrating fruits and vegetables like watermelon, cucumbers, and carrots, but always check with your vet first.
Shade and Cool Areas: Ensure your pets have access to shaded and cool areas, especially during peak heat hours. Never leave them in a parked car, as temperatures can rise rapidly.
Monitor Activity Levels: Avoid excessive exercise during the hottest parts of the day. Opt for early morning or late evening walks when it’s cooler.
SIGNS OF DEHYDRATION
Appetite loss: Dehydration dulls the digestive system, resulting in loss of appetite.
Panting: A lack of water in the system drains the energy and results in vicarious panting, even after limited activity.
Loss of Skin ElastIcity: The skin and fur lose their shine and elasticity due to a lack of hydration.
Dry Nose and Gums: Dehydration deprives the pets of their habit of consistent salivation.
Lethargy: Dehydration leads to a pathological state of unresponsiveness and sleepiness.
WATER IS LIFE…BUT HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH?
The month also raises critical awareness about the dangers of water intoxication, which occurs due to constant exposure to water bodies such as pools or garden hoses. Excessive salivation, seizures, vomiting, and bloating are some of the early signs of water intoxication.
Water intoxication, also known as hyponatremia or water poisoning, is a dangerous condition in pets where excessive water intake leads to dangerously low sodium levels in the bloodstream. Here’s what happens when the body is overwhelmed with an excessive amount of water. First, sodium levels outside the cells are depleted, a condition called hyponatremia. In an effort to rebalance itself, the body responds to low blood sodium by increasing fluid intake inside the cells. Some organs, such as the liver, can accommodate the increased volume of their swelling cells, but others — in particular, the brain, which is encased in bone — cannot.
In humans, water intoxication usually results from drinking too much water after rigorous exercise or competing in water-drinking competitions. In dogs, excessive water intake often occurs when swimming, diving, or water-retrieving. Even play-biting the stream of water from a garden hose or sprinkler can overload a dog’s system and lead to water intoxication. Because their bodies have to work harder to clear out the excess water in their system, toy and small dogs are at greater risk than larger ones.
Symptoms of water intoxication in dogs include:
- Lethargy
- Bloating
- Vomiting
- Loss of coordination (including stumbling, falling, or staggering)
- Restlessness
- Drooling
- Pale gums
- Dilated pupils
- Glazed eyes
If you even suspect that your dog has water intoxication, get to a vet or emergency clinic immediately. Because water intoxication involves a lack of sodium, carefully replenishing that important mineral is crucial. Treatment includes the administration of electrolytes. (Moderation is key here, as super-concentrated sodium can cause severe neurological problems.)
Veterinarians may administer drugs such as Mannitol to decrease pressure in the brain, as well as diuretics such as Lasix, which help hasten the removal of fluid. In mild cases, a dog will have a staggering gait, but they can eventually recover internal equilibrium and return to normal. But in severe cases, the brain damage can be so advanced that it cannot be reversed, and the dog dies or must be euthanized.
Water intoxication has not been widely discussed in published veterinary literature and can be misdiagnosed as hypothermia or overexertion. Lower-than-normal sodium levels are a classic sign of water intoxication, but depending on when a vet runs lab work, a dog’s blood-sodium levels may have already started to stabilize, even though the cellular damage has been done.
QUICK TIPS & RULES OF THUMB
How much water should a dog drink in a day?
Ideally, a dog needs an ounce of water for every pound it weighs. For example, a 16-pound dog would require 16 ounces of water a day.
What are the signs of dehydration in a cat?
Dry and tacky gums are the foremost sign of dehydration in a cat.
Is cold water bad for dogs?
Drinking icy cold water every once in a while is considered to be okay, but consistent servings are bad for dogs, as it can lead to a hypothermic shock.
As we inch closer to the Dog Days of summer, and the heat index continues to rise, this is a timely reminder of the importance of keeping our pets and community animals properly hydrated, especially during the coming months. By following these tips and being attentive to your pet’s needs, you can ensure their well-being and help them stay happy, healthy, and hydrated all year round.
