Water is present in all tissues of the animal body. In cells it is about 40% of the animal’s weight, in the intercellular fluid – about 20%. Every organ of an animal has water in it, it makes up to 70-80% of the weight of that organ. Even bone tissue is about 10% water.

As in humans, in the animal body, all physiological processes depend on the quantity and quality of water. Water plays an important role in digestion, respiration. With the help of water, animals regulate the temperature balance of the body. All vital functions are related to water. Reduction of its level leads to metabolic disorders, to blood thickening, as a result of which the blood provides the body with oxygen and removes toxins worse, can also lead to severe constipation and difficulty in defecation.

What is the danger of dehydration?

Pet dehydration is a serious condition that should never be neglected, as your Pet’s life and health depends on emergency care. The causes may be different: hot and sunny weather, being in a stuffy and ventilated room, nutritional deficiencies, lack of water or even illness.

Clinical symptoms of dehydration

1. Increased pulse rate;
2. Excessive fatigue, lethargy;
3. Swaying when standing up or while walking;
4. Gums appear dark red, or conversely pale;
5. Sunken, cloudy eyes.

If any of these symptoms appear, you should call your veterinarian immediately and get your dog to the clinic quickly. Because dehydration needs to be treated quickly.

To check if your Pet has enough fluid in his body, you can use the following trick: gently pull the skin on the back of his neck and then release it. If the skin quickly returns to its normal position, everything is fine. But if the skin is slow to straighten, or stays in the same position, then the pet may be dehydrated. However, there is a problem with this test, it will take a long time before the skin does not straighten, the pet will lose a lot of fluid, which can cause damage to internal organs. In addition, this test may not be effective for older pets or animals with hormonal disorders that affect skin elasticity.

Dehydration 5%. Pets that are 5% dehydrated will have a slight loss of skin elasticity. The skin will return to normal, but does so a little slower than normal. There is decreased activity, dry nose, gums and eyes.

If dehydration is 10%, there is a noticeable delay in the skin returning to its normal appearance. Gums may be dry and there may be sunken eyeballs, palpitations, weakness, and refusal to eat.

Animals with 12-15% dehydration are in a dangerous condition. The pet can not stand on its feet and is in a state of shock. If intensive treatment is not carried out in time, the animal may die.

What should I do if my pet is dehydrated?

There are occasions when your Pet at home drinks water well, so you can try home watering by offering water in small portions. If your pet is vomiting or is unable to retain fluids, in which case you should seek veterinary advice. It will most likely be necessary to appear for a checkup and examination. Generally, mild to severe dehydration is treated with subcutaneous or intravenous infusion therapy. Shots or IVs should be given carefully under a doctor’s supervision. If rehydration is too rapid or the owner administers too much fluid to the pet, it can cause additional health problems for the pet.
Dehydration can be caused by any environmental factor and any health condition that affects water balance.
This condition can be triggered by vomiting, diarrhea, liver or kidney disease, fever, poor diet, lack of drinking, and hormonal disorders such as diabetes.
If the veterinarian notices the presence of a disease that is the root cause of dehydration, he or she may suggest additional tests. These include blood tests, urinalysis, X-rays, and abdominal ultrasound.

Prevention of dehydration

It is important to provide the animal with constant access to clean water, it will drink as much as it needs. On hot summer days, you should offer your pet more water to prevent heat stroke, as this can lead to dehydration.
It is a good idea to take a water bottle with you on a walk and any vessel that will be convenient to drink from, pour water into it from time to time and give him a drink.
You can also leave several bowls of water in different places in the apartment. In addition, provide a well-ventilated room, but without drafts. As for dogs, experts advise walking your dog early in the morning or in the evening, when the heat subsides. You can take a special drinking bottle with you on a walk.

You can buy a cooling mat or collar for your pet to keep him comfortable in the house. Animals should never be left unattended in the car.

Average water intake

A dog should drink approximately 30 to 50 ml of water per 1 kg of his weight every day. If a dog weighs 10 kg, he should drink 300 to 500 ml of fluid daily. For cats, this norm is slightly lower – 20-40 ml per 1 kg of weight. That is, a cat weighing 4 kg should drink 80-160 ml of water daily. In some pathological diseases, such as diabetes mellitus or kidney disease, the animal can drink a lot of water and still suffer from dehydration.

A proper drinking regimen is a simple but effective way to maintain your Pet’s health and longevity. By following these guidelines, you can prevent many problems and ensure that your dog or cat lives an active and comfortable life.

Take care of your Pet – clean water is just as important as good food and a loving owner!