How to Hydrate Your Dog

Your dog was given intravenous fluids during surgery, so he or she might not be interested in drinking for the first day or so post-op. Before you get overly concerned that your pup might be dehydrated, here are two simple ways to check for it:

Skin Tenting Test:
How to do it:
Using your index finger and thumb, gently pinch the skin at the top of your dog's head between his ears or in between his shoulder blades and look to see how quickly the skin flattens out after you release it.  
HYDRATED = the skin flattens out almost immediately
DEHYDRATED = the skin remains elevated or "tented" for more than 2-3 seconds

Check Their Gums:
How to do it:
Lift the side of your pet’s lip and gently run your finger along the top of the gum line.
HYDRATED: gums feel moist and slippery 
DEHYDRATED: your finger sticks to the gums because they feel dry or tacky

IMPORTANT: If you suspect dehydration, contact the primary care veterinarian or surgeon ASAP.

Helpful tips for getting your dog to drink:

• Remove the e-collar so he/she can more easily drink from the bowl. Whenever the collar is off keep a close eye on your pup, and don't forget to put it back on.
• If your dog spends most of the time lying down, bring the water bowl to him/her and tilt it toward the dog. Doing so makes it easier for him/her to drink. This works best if your dog is lying on a dog bed and you can position the tilted bowl at floor level.
• Break out the crockpot and whip up a batch of bone broth. Compared to meat broth, bone broth is packed with nutrients. Bone broth should not contain onions or garlic. A lukewarm bowl of bone broth could do wonders to stimulate thirst and maintain hydration. Use the bowl tilting method mentioned above.
• If you don't have bone broth, gently warm (to a lukewarm temperature) low-sodium or unsalted meat broth and give that to your pup. Use the bowl tilting method mentioned above.

​If your dog isn't interested in drinking but will eat (Hand-feeding sometimes helps):
IMPORTANT: Choose veggies rather than fruits for diabetic dogs, and NEVER GIVE GRAPES AS THEY ARE HIGHLY TOXIC TO DOGS!
Offer foods with high water content such as:

• Watermelon (seeds and rind removed and fruit cut into bite-sized pieces)
• Cantaloupe (seeds and rind removed and fruit cut into bite-sized pieces)
• Cucumber (peeled)
• Zucchini (Choose smaller ones because they have less seeds) cooked or raw and cut into bite-sized pieces)
• Celery (You can top with a bit of peanut butter to entice your dog)
• Lettuce
• Bell Peppers (seeds and stem removed, then cut pepper into pieces)
• Apples (Peeled for easier digestion. No apple pits or cores!)
• Carrots (raw or cooked) peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces or mashed 
• Green Beans (fresh, steamed or if canned, choose low-sodium or no sodium)
• Pineapple (rind and woody central core removed and fruit cut into small pieces)
• Pears (peeled for easier digestion, no pits or cores, fruit cut into bite-sized pieces)
• Blueberries, raspberries or strawberries (strawberry stems removed and fruit cut if berries are large)
• Canned 100% Pumpkin (1-2 teaspoons for dogs less than 10 lbs and 2-3 tablespoons for large dogs)
• Plain unsweetened yogurt
• Applesauce (plain = without sugar or spices)

Your dog's hunger or thirst may be decreased from the after effects of anesthesia, physical pain or stomach upset from medications. Don't force eating or drinking. If you're concerned, please contact the primary care veterinarian or surgeon ASAP.

What did you do to entice your dog to stay hydrated? Please comment below.
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©RunAgainRover, May 2019