How can I tell if my dog is dehydrated?

Dehydration in dogs can be dangerous. It can lead to a lowering of blood pressure and can result in death from organ failure. Making sure that your dog is properly hydrated is essential to keeping them healthy. Signs of dehydration include:

• Sticky or dry gums. A healthy dog’s gums are constantly wet.
• Loss of skin elasticity. Pull up on a small area of your dog’s skin, then let go. A dehydrated dog’s skin will take much longer to return to its natural shape.
• Vomiting and diarrhea. While these are not symptoms of dehydration, they can lead to it very quickly. If it’s been more than 24 hours since your dog last drank water, dehydration will have already set in if they are vomiting or have diarrhea.

Medical treatment to replenish your dog’s fluid levels is imperative to ensuring that your dog recovers from dehydration. If you think your dog may be dehydrated and your attempts at getting them to drink water fail, call a veterinarian immediately.