Hydration during The Dog Days – How much is too much?

During those sweltering summer days, watching our furry friends run and play, it’s hard to imagine any dog drinking too much water. After all, they are covered with fur, and romping in a lake or baby pool or playing in a hose stream is a great way to cool off. There is a limit to how much is safe, however, and your dog’s life could depend on your attention to his water intake.

In general, a dog should drink about 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight per day. This could vary based on your dog’s activity and access to shade on any given day, but most dogs will drink only as much as they need. Danger of water intoxication typically occurs when dogs are at play and not actually “drinking.”

The facts about water intoxication

Also called water poisoning, water toxemia, and hyperhydration, water intoxication occurs when the cells of the body react to sodium levels that have become diluted by excessive amounts of water. The cells take in more fluid to compensate, and the swelling can cause damage in the organs and especially in the brain. The result can be coma and death.

The condition can happen to humans too, but for dogs, the problem is the tendency for excessive water intake while they are at play. When dogs are swimming, retrieving from the water, and biting at a stream of water, it is easy for them to take in more water than their systems can handle. Small dogs are at greater risk because their bodies have to work harder to shed the excess water from their systems.

Dogs who are experiencing water intoxication may:

• Seem lethargic
• Stumble or suddenly become uncoordinated
• Drool or vomit
• Have difficulty breathing
• Have glazed eyes or dilated pupils
• Seem restless
• Begin seizing

Water intoxication becomes irreversible as it progresses. Pressure in the brain increases, killing off brain cells and leading to coma. Emergency treatment is imperative at the first sign of possible water intoxication.

What you can do

Veterinarians stress prevention as the best treatment for water intoxication. As we move into the hottest part of the summer, know your dog’s habits and be vigilant when he or she is playing in and around water. Limit playtime in a pools, lakes, and with hoses, especially if your dog likes to fetch balls from the water and bite at a hose stream.

If your dog is energetic and unlikely to remove himself from the fun, enforce time away from the water and encourage potty breaks.

If you have questions about water intoxication and how much water is appropriate for your dog, contact the veterinarians at Lake Cable Animal Hospital today.