Dog Hydration: Expert Tips for Optimal Canine Health

Energy levels

Adequate hydration for dogs is crucial for their energy levels for a few reasons. First, water promotes metabolic function, or the chemical processes that produce energy within the body. Second, it aids in the transportation of nutrients throughout the body, which are required for energy.

If enough water is not present, the body will draw on the muscle tissues to maintain its fluid balance, which also depletes the energy reserves and causes dogs to feel tired or sluggish. Also, water is required to maintain body temperature. Without adequate hydration, dogs’ internal temperature rises, creating a lack of energy.

Gut health

The digestive process is also affected by dogs’ hydration (or lack thereof), which directly impacts the health of the gut [1]. Without adequate water, the process of digestion is hampered, as waste products cannot move efficiently through the digestive system and nutrients cannot be properly absorbed.

This is because water is responsible for the process of hydrolysis, which breaks down larger molecules into smaller ones that can be digested more effectively. Water also helps to dissolve soluble fibres, softens stool, and essentially makes the entire digestive process much more efficient.

Discover more about the importance of gut health for dogs in our article, The Secrets of Dog Gut Health.

The Secrets of Dog Gut Health: Essential Tips and Insights

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Common symptoms of canine dehydration

There are various physical manifestations of dehydration in dogs, which can sometimes be subtle and hard to detect. Dogs are masters at masking their discomfort, so it’s important that we pay attention to any changes in their physical condition and/or behaviour. Here are a few common signs of dehydration in dogs:

• Dry nose/mouth
• Sunken eyes
• Excessive panting
• Lack of appetite
• Lethargy/weakness
• Disorientation/confusion
• Thick and/or sticky saliva
• Darkened urine

If any of these symptoms are present, your dog’s hydration levels may be compromised. If you’re unsure, a quick way to determine or rule out dehydration in dogs is the pinch test:

Maintaining hydration levels during warmer weather

Whilst canine hydration is important year round, it’s especially crucial during the warmer months. This is because dogs are more prone to overheating and the dehydration that’s likely to follow, putting them at a higher risk than they would be in cooler temperatures. Awareness and proactive management are key here; with a little extra effort your dog can remain hydrated and avoid unnecessary discomfort, even in warm weather.

As dogs produce minimal sweat and thus have to rely on panting to cool themselves, they’re more vulnerable to heat stroke than humans are. Ensuring access to water at all times is essential, as is monitoring dogs’ exposure to the sun and heat. A dehydrated dog can become so lethargic that they won’t actively search for water, so offering them a drink every so often or having multiple bowls in different locations can help.

Read our article, Keeping Dogs Cool, for a complete guide on preventing dehydration and heatstroke.

Dogs require adequate hydration in general, but even more so when digestive health issues are present. If possible, a proactive approach is best; though this isn’t always practical. Depending on the individual situation, there are a number of ways to hydrate a dog when they’re experiencing digestive discomfort. These include:

• Increasing access to water (providing more bowls, offering drinks, etc.)
• Feeding bone broth, either in water/food or on its own
• Adding nutritional supplements to the diet for gut health support to resolve digestive issues (more on these later)
• Increasing moisture in the diet (find out how in the following section)

Nutrition benefits of bone broth for hydration and overall health

The simplicity of bone broth can be a bit misleading, as it’s far more nutritious than it may seem at first glance. Whilst it’s true that it’s a simple tonic of boiled bones, joints, marrow and connective tissue, the nutrient content it provides is far more complex than it appears.

Bone broth contains amino acids, minerals, collagen, and electrolytes that support the body in various ways, from digestive health to joint health, and even injury recovery. It’s also incredibly easy to digest, which makes it a helpful addition to the diets of dogs with gut health challenges. It offers hydration and nutritional benefits all in one simple solution, which is why it’s such a great option for canine hydration maintenance, along with gut health support.

Incorporating bone broths into your dog’s diet

Bone broth is one of my go-to recommendations for dehydrated dogs and dogs with digestive upsets, and is a great way to get dogs to drink water. While it’s packed with nutrients, electrolytes, and hydration properties, it’s also almost impossible for dogs to resist! 

Adding bone broth to food or water, offering it on its own, or turning it into frozen treats are all great ways to incorporate additional nutrients into your dog’s diet whilst also promoting optimal hydration levels. ProDog’s Bone Broths are a convenient, healthy option to offer your dog, and we offer multiple options to suit each dog’s taste.