Keeping Your Pets Safe From Dehydration In South Florida

The heat and humidity in South Florida can cause dehydration in your pets if they are not drinking enough. On average, your pet should be drinking somewhere between half an ounce and one ounce of water per pound of body weight per day. This is something you should be monitoring often, especially during the hotter months of the year. Today, we have some tips for keeping your pet hydrated.

Dehydration is a loss of water from the body or inappropriate intake of water into the body. Dehydration can leave your pet feeling lethargic, and can cause problems with the kidneys and other internal organs if untreated quickly by your veterinarian.

With dehydration comes symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, hypothermia, and fever. These are the signs to look for in your pet:Mouth: If the mouth, tongue, and gums are dry – dehydration is the culprit. Also be sure to check the consistency of saliva, which should be watery and unnoticeable. Next, look at your pet’s eyes. If they are sunken in and dry, it’s time to call your veterinarian immediately.

What you should do if you notice symptoms.

• If moderate or severe dehydration, seek veterinary attention. 
• If dehydration is mild and the pet is not vomiting, give frequent, small amounts of water by mouth; that means in the range of 1 tsp for a cat or small dog to 1 tbsp to 1/4 cup for a medium to large dog every few hours. 
• If your pet is lethargic, in pain, or has not eaten for 24 hours, seek veterinary attention.

What you should not do if you notice symptoms.

• Do not allow your pet to have immediate free access to large amounts of water or other liquid. 
• Do not feed your pet any dry food until directed to do so by a veterinary professional.

If you have any other questions about pet dehydration or think that your pet could be suffering from pet dehydration, call our office immediately! The team at the Pet Care Clinic of Doral is here to help!