Signs of Dehydration in Dogs and the Best Foods to Combat It

Proper hydration is essential for a dog’s health, influencing everything from organ function to skin and coat quality. Yet dehydration remains a common issue, particularly in dogs with medical conditions or inadequate diets. In this post, we’ll explore how to monitor your dog’s hydration, the signs of dehydration, how nutrition can play a pivotal role, and offer recommendations for diets specifically formulated to support hydration.

How to Know if Your Dog is Consuming Enough Moisture

Dogs require a baseline water intake of about 50-70 milliliters per kilogram of body weight per day depending on their activity levels, diet, and environmental conditions (Grandjean et al., 2021). Monitoring your dog’s water consumption and ensuring they’re getting enough fluids is vital.

Some ways to assess if your dog is consuming enough moisture include:

Urine Color and Frequency: Clear or light-yellow urine indicates adequate hydration. Darker urine and infrequent urination may signal dehydration.
Skin Elasticity Test: Gently pinch your dog’s skin between the shoulder blades. If it quickly returns to its original position, your dog is likely hydrated. Delayed skin snap-back is a warning sign of dehydration.
Gum Moisture: Check your dog’s gums—they should be moist and slippery. Sticky or dry gums suggest dehydration.
Daily Water Intake Monitoring: Measure the amount of water your dog drinks over 24 hours and adjust as necessary.

How to Know if Your Dog is Dehydrated

Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluids than it takes in, leading to an imbalance in electrolytes such as sodium and potassium. Key signs include:

Lethargy: A dehydrated dog may seem tired or uninterested in activities they usually enjoy.
Loss of Appetite: Dehydration can suppress appetite, compounding the issue.
Dry Nose and Gums: A dry, cracked nose or gums lacking moisture are clear indicators.
Thick Saliva: Dehydration often causes saliva to become sticky or ropey.
Sunken Eyes: Noticeable sinking of the eyes can be a sign of severe dehydration.
Elevated Heart Rate: Dehydration can lead to an increase in heart rate as the body struggles to maintain circulation.

In severe cases, dehydration can escalate to life-threatening conditions like heatstroke or kidney failure. Immediate veterinary attention is necessary if these symptoms persist.

How Nutrition and Diet Can Help Keep Dogs Hydrated

Diet plays a significant role in maintaining hydration. While dry kibble contains only about 6-10% moisture, wet food and fresh diets can contain 70-85% moisture, significantly contributing to a dog’s daily fluid intake (González-Ortiz et al., 2018).

Strategies to Enhance Hydration Through Diet:

Switch to High-Moisture Diets: Incorporating wet or fresh dog food can dramatically boost water intake.
Add Water to Dry Food: Soaking kibble in warm water or low-sodium broth hydrates the food and increases moisture intake.
Offer Hydrating Treats: Foods like watermelon (without seeds) and cucumber are hydrating and safe in moderation.
Supplement with Electrolytes: In cases of mild dehydration, electrolyte solutions designed for dogs can restore balance.
Use Wet Food Toppers: Adding wet food or broths to meals can increase palatability and hydration.

Five Nutritionist-Recommended Diets for Dogs with Hydration Problems

Here are my top five diet recommendations for dogs struggling with hydration issues.

1. NutriCanine Chicken Recipe

Price: $5.04 per pound
Ingredients: Ground chicken, Potatoes, Carrots, Butternut squash, Broccoli, Mixed berries, Dicalcium phosphate, Vitamin & mineral mix, Sunflower oil, Calcium carbonate, Fish oil, Parsley
Food Type: Fresh cooked food
Moisture Content: 69%
Why Recommended: Fresh, high quality chicken plus fruits and veggies, like nutrient-dense broccoli and carrots to support hydration.

2. Tilted Barn Pet Co. Cooked Pork and Oatmeal

Price: $11.99 per pound
Ingredients: Ground Pork, Pork Heart, Pork Liver, Pork Kidney, Oatmeal, Carrots, Eggs, Yogurt, Alfalfa, Canola Oil, Rock Phosphate, Ground Flax Seed, Kelp, Garlic, Sea Salt
Food Type: Fresh refrigerated food
Moisture Content: 49.2%
Why Recommended: High-moisture content combined with whole-ingredients, containing no preservatives, fillers, or by-products. Their cooked food is a perfect option for pet owners who want to feed their dogs a high-quality, fresh diet without eating raw.

3. Freshpet Select Tender Chicken Recipe with Vegetables

Price: $6.99 per pound
Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken liver, Carrots, Rice bran, Brown rice, Egg, Peas, Minerals, Celery powder, Garlic powder, Spinach
Food Type: Fresh refrigerated food
Moisture Content: 78%
Why Recommended: A fresh, high-moisture option for dogs needing extra hydration in a minimally processed form.

4. Weruva Paw Lickin’ Chicken Wet Dog Food

Price: $5.13 per pound
Ingredients: Chicken (Boneless, Skinless Breast), Chicken Broth, Sunflower Seed Oil, Potato Starch, Tricalcium Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Choline Chloride, Zinc Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Nicotinic Acid (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Potassium Iodide, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement
Food Type: Canned wet food
Moisture Content: 85%
Why Recommended: Minimal ingredients and one of the highest moisture contents on the market, this is perfect for hydration support.

5. The Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Dehydrated Dog Food (Rehydrated)

Price: $5.99 per pound
Ingredients: Dehydrated beef, organic oats, organic barley, flaxseed, dehydrated potatoes, dehydrated carrots, dehydrated eggs, dried apples, dried parsley, dried cranberries, dehydrated spinach, minerals [tricalcium phosphate, potassium chloride, choline chloride, zinc amino acid chelate, iron amino acid chelate, potassium iodide, copper amino acid chelate, sodium selenite], taurine, vitamins [vitamin E supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), calcium pantothenate (vitamin B5), riboflavin (vitamin B2), vitamin D3 supplement]
Food Type: Dehydrated (rehydrated to wet consistency)
Moisture Content: Up to 80% when prepared
Why Recommended: Offers a customizable hydration option that lets you control the moisture level.

Pet Nutritionist Recommendation

As a companion animal nutritionist, I often see the impact that proper hydration—or lack thereof—has on dogs’ overall health. Dehydration can lead to urinary tract problems, kidney issues, and even heatstroke in severe cases. Through my work, I’ve found that the simplest and most effective way to manage hydration is through diet.

If your dog struggles to drink enough water, switching to a high-moisture diet like canned, fresh, or adding water to kibble or other dehydrated food can make all the difference. I always recommend monitoring your dog’s water intake, especially during hot weather or periods of increased activity.

Andrea Geiger is a certified companion animal nutritionist with a master’s degree in Veterinary Toxicology and Nutrition. With over five years of experience in product development and consulting, Andrea specializes in creating science-based nutrition plans and formulating recipes that prioritize pet health, ensuring optimal nutrition for dogs and cats alike.

References

Grandjean, D., et al. (2021). Water and Electrolyte Balance in Dogs and Cats. Veterinary Clinical Sciences.
González-Ortiz, G., et al. (2018). Moisture Content and Its Role in Pet Food Digestibility. Journal of Animal Nutrition.
Smith, B. (2020). The Impact of Wet Food on Canine Hydration Levels. Advances in Veterinary Science.
Davis, H., et al. (2019). Dehydration in Companion Animals: Causes and Treatments. Veterinary Journal.
Larson, J. (2020). Electrolyte Imbalance in Dogs with Chronic Dehydration. Veterinary Medicine.
Roca, E., et al. (2022). Dietary Strategies to Prevent Urinary Tract Issues in Dogs. Journal of Pet Health.
Kim, H., et al. (2021). The Role of High-Moisture Foods in Canine Kidney Health. Advances in Animal Nutrition.
Chen, R., et al. (2017). Wet Food Diets and Their Role in Maintaining Canine Hydration. Animal Nutrition Studies.

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