A simple physical change often neglected can be the signal that the animal suffers from dehydration. And it is neither drool nor a blow of fatigue!
In summer, when temperatures go up, it’s not just humans who suffer from heat. Dogs and cats are not spared either. However, many owners miss signs, thinking that their animal will naturally show that it is too hot or it needs water. We expect to see apathetic behavior, difficult breathing or excessive salivation. But these symptoms often only appear when dehydration is already advanced. This is precisely what makes the danger more insidious: in many cases, these are much more discreet changes that should alert – but that we forget to monitor. Minor physical clues, sometimes barely noticeable, may be the only ones to reveal that the animal begins to dehydrate.
In any case, this is what Dr Aimee Warner, veterinarian, “Dehydration in pets is not always obvious. When signs appear, as extreme lethargy, your animal could already be in real danger.” Moreover, unlike humans, “Our fur companions are often less equipped to manage the rise in temperatures”she underlines. Cats and dogs in particular do not sweat like us, they do not regulate their temperature and start drinking more only when their body is already in difficulty. Prevention is not only essential, but also crucial for their lives.
Among the discreet signs of dehydration to monitor, the veterinarian cites several, but one in particular concerns both cats and dogs: the appearance of their eyes. We talk about“Eyes sunk” in cats and “Verry eyes” in dogs. “Dry gums, lethargy, eyes pushed and skin that does not regenerate quickly when it is as many signs of dehydration. In cats, a lack of grooming is also an alarm signal”, Explains the veterinarian Aimee Warner with an English express media. On the dog side, the most disturbing signs include excessive panting, glassy eyes, excess drool and episodes of disorientation. The professional also alerts to an often misinterpreted behavior: “When an animal actively searches for water, dehydration may already be in progress. Place several water bowls in your home and your garden to encourage it to drink regularly. Cats, in particular, can benefit from fountains.”
Finally, another simple way to check the hydration of your pet is the test of the “skin tent”. You just have to gently pinch your skin at your neck and observe the time that it puts its normal shape. If it stays tense several seconds, it may indicate a beginning of dehydration.
