Healthy animals require a great deal of water in their bodies at all times. The water keeps their tissues moist and transports essential nutrients through the body. Minerals like potassium and sodium transport electrical impulses throughout the body and the loss of these electrolytes can cause serious problems.

Causes of dehydration include vomiting, diarrhea, lack of available fresh drinking water or overheating. You can tell if your animal friend is dehydrated in several ways: look for a dry mouth, sunken eyes, lethargy and exhaustion and inelastic skin. You can test the skin by pulling it up on the back of their neck. If the skin doesn’t very quickly spring back into place, your friend may be dehydrated.

Ways to avoid dehydration include always keeping fresh, clean water available and making sure your pet is never in a place where they can't get out of the sun if they want to. And NEVER leave your pet unattended, even for a moment, in your car.

If you suspect dehydration, and aren't sure of why it has occcurred, check your animal's mouth. If they have a sore or a foreign object caught in there, they may have stopped drinking.

If dehydration sets in, you can help your pet very easily. First though, if you have a kitten or a puppy that is dehydrated you should take them to your veterinarian for evaluation and treatment. Dehydration in the little ones can be very serious, even leading to death, and a professional should be consulted.

There are several things you can do to help older dogs and cats. Right away, give your pet some water to drink. Don't force them, but encourage them to drink a bit. Don't let them drink a huge of water all at once though - too much too quickly might cause them to vomit, starting the cycle all over again. Wait a few minutes between small drinks, keeping the animal in the shade and cool and resting in the meantime. Giving ice can also get water into them at a slow rate.

Instead of giving plain water, electrolyte solutions can be given instead to replace those lost. Pedialyte is a commercial drink that can be given. Or, you can easily make your own by mixing 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of sugar in a quart of water. If your dog or cat has a sweet tooth, you can also try Gatorade or another sports type drink.