Dogs,heat,water...electrolytes?
Discussion
All this heat, restricting ( trying to)my two from the usual running around has reminded me of something.
I remember a few years ago quite a few army recruits died in training iirc they had enough water but sweated out all their electrolytes irrc
Do I need to take salt tablets out or something salty treats? Lukasaide sport?
Or do dogs work differently. These two are just mental theywould run and run even in this heat.
I remember a few years ago quite a few army recruits died in training iirc they had enough water but sweated out all their electrolytes irrc
Do I need to take salt tablets out or something salty treats? Lukasaide sport?
Or do dogs work differently. These two are just mental theywould run and run even in this heat.
I would assume they work differently but have worried about our two in this heat.
Although we take water with us when out, sometimes neither dog wants to drink when we think they should. We tend to watch them carefully and keep offering water till they notice and have at least have a taste.
I will say ours are nowhere near as manic as your two though.
Hopefully someone with the knowledge will be along shortly.
Although we take water with us when out, sometimes neither dog wants to drink when we think they should. We tend to watch them carefully and keep offering water till they notice and have at least have a taste.
I will say ours are nowhere near as manic as your two though.
Hopefully someone with the knowledge will be along shortly.
Edited by Drogo on Friday 13th July 23:30
Great pic.
I’ve found this which is about water intoxication ie they drink too much and that dilutes electrolytes rather than just through heat.
So it seems potentially as Logan and Jean do love a swim it may be a good idea to have one or too pork scratchings or something also they always drink from the little pool I’ve put in the back.
https://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/...
Just one more thing to worry about drinking too much these dogs stress me out.
I’ve found this which is about water intoxication ie they drink too much and that dilutes electrolytes rather than just through heat.
So it seems potentially as Logan and Jean do love a swim it may be a good idea to have one or too pork scratchings or something also they always drink from the little pool I’ve put in the back.
https://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/...
Just one more thing to worry about drinking too much these dogs stress me out.
The drinking too much tends to be scenarios such as dogs that 'attack' water hoses/sprinklers etc so consume a lot of water in a short space of time. They potentially could whilst swimming but less likely.
Because dogs don't sweat like we do except some moisture loss through their paws they are not likely to lose electrolytes to the same degree as people do, they just overheat instead but they do lose them eventually through excessive panting or fever or vomiting and diarrhoea (especially if prolonged) and then, consequently, dehydration. (and normal losses through urination).
There are animal electrolyte replacers available (though the one I know best, Lectade,isn't available currently) I think you would be safe to use a children's rehydration solution if needed.
It is not something that we generally need to worry about though unless your dog is poorly and getting dehydrated. Heatstroke will cause dehydration but if they are feeling the affects that much they should be at a vets anyway.
I was always told that rehydration solutions taste horrible unless you are actually dehydrated, not sure how true that is!
Because dogs don't sweat like we do except some moisture loss through their paws they are not likely to lose electrolytes to the same degree as people do, they just overheat instead but they do lose them eventually through excessive panting or fever or vomiting and diarrhoea (especially if prolonged) and then, consequently, dehydration. (and normal losses through urination).
There are animal electrolyte replacers available (though the one I know best, Lectade,isn't available currently) I think you would be safe to use a children's rehydration solution if needed.
It is not something that we generally need to worry about though unless your dog is poorly and getting dehydrated. Heatstroke will cause dehydration but if they are feeling the affects that much they should be at a vets anyway.
I was always told that rehydration solutions taste horrible unless you are actually dehydrated, not sure how true that is!
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