Make liquid substitute for your dog
During the summer months we do more outdoor activities together in the heat and this can cause dehydration. Every year dogs die from heat stroke, so it's very important to always have the option of both coolness and hydration. Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition and it can cause serious damage to your dog's internal organs. This is because dogs cannot regulate their body temperature by sweating like humans. That's why it's important to give your dog a cool place to rest and to always offer fluids.
Dehydration and heat stroke
There are many things you can do to prevent heat stroke and dehydration. Always keep your dog in the shade and avoid exercising your dog when it's hot outside. Choose to take your walks in the morning and evening when it's cooler outside. It's also important for your dog to have access to fresh water and it's beneficial to have hydration supplements at home to further help your dog stay cool and hydrated if you see signs of dehydration.
Signs of dehydration
You can check if your dog is dehydrated by pulling the skin of the neck and lifting it upwards. The skin should then immediately fall back into place. If the skin takes longer to fall back, this may be the first sign of dehydration. It may then be useful to check under the lip to see if the mucous membrane in the mouth is moist and pink. Press your finger on the mucous membrane for a few seconds, then pay attention to whether the colour returns to pink within 1-2 seconds. If the colour does not return and feels dry and sticky, it is time to give the dog a fluid replacement.
Recipes for your dog
1 litre of water
1 tablespoon dextrose or honey
1 teaspoon salt
Do like this: Mix together and serve to your dog.
Dosage: 50 ml of liquid per kilo of body weight per day. Dog's weight x 50 ml / 24 to get number of amount per hour.
If the dog is very dehydrated, it may need double that amount.
When should I contact a vet?
Contact a vet if your dog has any of these symptoms:
The dog vomits small amounts of water
Very young or old dog
Blood in vomit or diarrhoea
Vomiting and diarrhea are recurrent
