Unlike humans, pets can’t tell you when they don’t feel well.
Dehydration takes a toll on the body, including in humans, animals, and even plants.
It causes an electrolyte imbalance, perMedical News Today.
Electrolytes manage muscles and nerves which is why when dehydrated, the body starts to feel weak.
Proper hydration also keeps the heart functioning normally.
In severe cases, this can result in a stroke or heart attack.
Is your dog dehydrated?
It isn’t always easy to tell if your dog is dehydrated.
Still, dehydration can be serious or even life-threatening for dogs, perPetMD.
Without sufficient hydration, your dog’s body won’t work efficiently.
Their electrolytes can be compromised, their kidneys may shut down, and their waste may build up.
That’s when your dog needs emergency help, according toVeterinary Emergency Group.
The causes of dehydration in dogs are varied.
Like humans, they can quickly become dehydrated in the warm summer months.
These include heatstroke, fever, gastrointestinal illness, and kidney disease (via PetMD).
Your dog may stop eating and have dry gums and thick saliva.
Similarly, 10-pound dogs need at least 10 ounces of water everyday.
Sometimes, even in humans, you may not always be aware that you’re dehydrated.
With mild dehydration,PetMDsays you may notice that your cat is sleeping more often.
Not having enough fluid in their body will cause lethargy.
Another way to determine your cat’s hydration is to inspect their nose and mouth.
A dry nose and sticky gums are other signs that you cat may not be drinking enough.
Cats may begin vomiting and have diarrhea and sunken eyes when dehydration becomes severe.
Also, like dogs, cats may pant excessively when dehydrated.
If you notice yourcat acting unusual, a visit to the vetis always helpful.
However, they do require a certain amount of specific care.
According toRabbit Care Tips, if rabbits go without drinking water for just 24 hours, they can die.
The larger the rabbit, the more water they need.
During the summer or whenever it’s hot out, rabbits need more water than usual.
you could also clearly see how much they are drinking from their water bottle.
Signs of dehydration in hamsters can be even more subtle than in other pets.
Their skin can look wrinkled and dry.
Also, since hamsters quickly lose water weight from dehydration, they may seem to look thinner or smaller.
If they continue to not drink, they will need to be seen by a vet.
Turtles need daily fresh water to keep their bodies running well, and to prevent illness.
The most apparent and first sign of dehydration in turtles in sunken eyes (viaTurtle Owner).
If dehydration becomes severe, turtles may keep their eyes entirely closed.
They may also stop eating.
One way to incorporate more water into their diet is to feed them water-based veggies.
you’re able to also spray the vegetables with water before you offer it to your turtle.
When pets act differently than they normally do, they should always be checked out by your vet.
