Slight dehydration is common in pets, especially as they get older in age. Dehydration is more common in sick pets, cats, and short-faced, or brachycephalic, breeds. If you are monitoring your pet for dehydration, here are some of the common signs that your pet may display:
Lethargic movements
Fatigue
Reluctance to eat
Panting
Dry nose or gums
Sunken eyes
Another way you can check to see if your pet is dehydrated is to test the elasticity of their skin. To do this, all you need to do is gently pinch the skin between their shoulder blades. When you let go, if their skin flattens out quickly, they likely have had enough water. However, if the skin remains pinched or takes more than a few seconds to return to normal, your pet may need to drink some more water.
Yet another method is the “gum test.” With recently washed and dry hands, gently lift the upper or lower lip of your pet and touch their gums with your finger tip. If your finger comes away easily, that means the pet likely has adequate hydration. However, if your fingertip feels like it is slightly sticking to the gums, it can mean that your pet is low on fluids.