Summer is the best time not only for you and your family, but also for your Puggle dog to enjoy more outdoor activities. But you need to remember that along with the fun and excitement these activities provide, there is a risk that your dog could become dehydrated. Dehydration is an excessive loss of body fluids that usually involves the loss of water and electrolytes.

Yes, dogs get dehydrated too! And dehydration in dogs can be serious business. There are many reasons why dehydration occurs among dogs. It could be caused by illness, exposure to extreme heat, or lack of fluid intake. Prolonged vomiting and diarrhea can also cause dehydration.

Loss of skin elasticity is a sign of dehydration. To check the elasticity of your dog’s skin, pinch a bit of skin between your thumb and forefinger on your dog’s back. It should snap right back into place as soon as you release it. However, the skin slowly recedes as the tissues under the skin lose moisture. Other signs of dehydration include lethargy, depression, sunken eyes, dry gums, increased heart rate, and delayed capillary time. Capillary refill is the rate at which blood fills empty capillaries. To check the capillary refill time, simply press a finger against the gums until they appear white. A normal dog’s gums replenish quickly, but dehydrated dogs can take more than 3 seconds to replenish.

Dehydration, although it can be a serious matter, is curable and preventable. Once you suspect your Puggle is dehydrated, the best thing to do is give him fresh water mixed with electrolytes. But the liquid should only be given in small amounts, especially to severely dehydrated dogs. Too much water will cause your dog to vomit and lose more fluids. Immediate veterinary attention is always recommended for the most severe cases of dehydration.

As easy as it is to acquire, dehydration is also easily preventable. The best way to prevent dehydration is to always leave a container full of water to make sure you drink enough. But avoid giving him an excessive amount of water after a strenuous exercise session. Wait a few minutes after your exercise session and then administer frequently and in small amounts every few minutes. For those who live in dry climate areas, keeping your dog indoors as much as possible can be very effective in preventing dehydration.

Although dry food benefits your dog’s dental health, wet food also helps maintain proper levels of body fluids in dogs. Both dry and wet food are important to your dog’s health, so giving him these two types of dog food is a very good idea.

Always watch your dog’s behavior. Due to the absence of sweat pads, dogs pant to regulate their body temperature. Which means a panting dog is a hot dog. Take good care of your fluid intake before it’s too late.