When a dog goes for an extended period without drinking, it can lead to the symptoms of dehydration. Here, our Rochester vets share the signs and symptoms of dehydration and answer a commonly asked question, 'How long can a dog go without water?'
Dehydration in Dogs
Your dog may drink frequently, but they are constantly losing water. If your pet does not drink enough water, it can become dehydrated and develop a variety of health problems. Lack of fluid intake in your pet's body may restrict blood flow and reduce the amount of oxygen reaching the organs and tissues. This makes access to water essential at all times.
What causes dogs to experience dehydration?
Here are some of the most common causes of dog dehydration:
- Heatstroke or fever
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Pain
- Vomiting, diarrhea, or panting
- Frequent urination caused by kidney failure and diabetes
What are the symptoms of dehydration in dogs?
Some of the symptoms that most commonly affect dehydrated dogs include:
- Less elastic skin
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting with or without diarrhea
- Less energy
- Fatigue
- Panting
- Hollow and dry-looking eyes
- Dry nose
- Dry and moist gums
- Thick saliva
Dehydration in dogs can last anywhere from a few hours to several days, depending on the severity of the dehydration and the underlying cause.
How long is recovery from dehydration?
If your dog is just starting to feel the effects of dehydration, drinking some water should help to relieve the symptoms pretty quickly. If severe dehydration has occurred, recovery may take longer and require veterinary care.
How long it takes for them to recover will vary depending on the severity of their dehydration and the underlying cause. With prompt veterinary care, their hospital stay may only last a day or two and require IV fluids.
How much water does my dog need each day?
A dog's body weight is more than 70% water, so he or she must drink plenty of it every day. A good rule of thumb for dogs is to drink one ounce of water per pound of body weight. A 25-pound dog requires 25 oz. (or 3 cups) of water per day, whereas a 75-pound dog needs nearly 2 liters. This is spread out throughout the day, and there are other ways to meet their hydration needs besides giving them small amounts of water.
How long can my dog go without water?
When your dog has noticeably stopped drinking you will likely begin to ask yourself questions like 'How long can dogs go without water (or food)?'.
If there are no health or environmental concerns, a healthy dog may go many hours without taking a drink of water. So don't stress too much about what happens when you aren't looking.
If your dog goes without water for an extended period of time, you may notice signs of dehydration after the first 24 hours. Though some have suggested withholding water to keep dogs from urinating in the house or in their crate all day while their owner is at work, it is critical that you never leave your dog without water.
Dogs can go a little longer without food than they can water, although it is just as dangerous. A healthy adult dog can go about 5 days without food, although this varies based on their water intake.
Ensuring that your dog is hydrated and fed is crucial to their health and survival, so if you plan on leaving your dog alone for a while and are wondering how long can dogs go without food and water then you may want to consult with your vet or book them a stay at a kennel.
What should I do if my dog isn't drinking water?
Typically, a healthy adult dog will need no help making sure that they are hydrated each day. However, if they refuse to drink water, they might be experiencing an underlying issue such as a stomach upset or an intestinal or urinary blockage.
It is critical to take action to get a dog to drink water, especially if the dog has been vomiting or experiencing consistent diarrhea. This is especially dangerous because it loses moisture quickly without consuming enough water or food to compensate.
If this occurs you should contact Stoney Pointe Pet Hospital during regular office hours for emergency veterinary care.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.