Keeping Dogs Hydrated in the Heat: Should You Add Electrolytes?

Sports drinks are all the rage for us humans, which may have you wondering, does your dog need electrolytes, too? It is important to keep your dog’s hydration needs in mind, whether they are engaging in high-intensity exercise or simply spending time outdoors in hot weather. Staying well-hydrated helps your dog regulate their body temperature, blood pressure, and improves their stamina during exercise.

So, is supplementing electrolytes helpful for dogs, or could it do more harm than good?

Understanding Dogs and Electrolytes

Electrolytes are critical to many species—including dogs and humans—and play a role in many functions of the body, such as the function of muscles, nerves, the kidneys, the heart, blood pressure regulation, bone formation, brain function, and more. Most of the time, the body maintains the balance of electrolytes through diet and internal control mechanisms.

Dogs pant to keep cool, which is very different from how humans cool off through sweating. In this process, dogs lose water when they pant, unlike humans, who lose both water and electrolytes through sweat. Still, dogs can be at risk for dehydration during intense exercise and/or in hot weather as they continuously pant and lose water.

Some dogs are less efficient at keeping cool through panting if they have health conditions including obesity, breathing problems, and/or brachycephalic syndrome. These dogs are at a higher risk of overheating and dehydration as they are not able to pant as effectively and may need to pant harder and longer in order to properly cool off.

The more dogs pant to maintain their body temperature and keep cool, the more water they lose. That’s why it’s vital that dogs have access to fresh water at all times, especially during exercise and in hot weather. But since dogs aren’t losing electrolytes when panting, it’s not necessary supplement their electrolytes.

Why Extra Electrolytes Can Be Harmful for Dogs

Sometimes dogs will have elevated levels of certain electrolytes if they have been panting excessively or become dehydrated, so it could be harmful to offer them additional electrolytes in these situation.

For example, many performance drinks intended for humans may also contain ingredients that are unhealthy or even dangerous for dogs like sugar, xylitol, and/or caffeine. In most situations, fresh cool water is all they really need to rehydrate. If your dog is too overheated or sick to drink on their own, never force a dog to drink water. This is a sign that they are more critically ill and need immediate veterinary care.

When Might Electrolytes for Dogs Be Necessary?

Some of the most common causes for electrolyte imbalances in dogs are the loss of digestive fluids, such as through vomiting or diarrhea. They may also lose electrolytes if they have certain conditions like:

Dogs that are malnourished, eat an unbalanced diet, or have high levels of intestinal parasites may also have abnormal electrolyte levels. If your dog is sick with any of these conditions, they may need supportive care that includes electrolyte supplementation. Usually, once the underlying medical condition is resolved, the body will be able to maintain a normal balance of electrolytes.

Like with any medical issue, it is best to consult a vet before giving a dog electrolytes, as they don’t typically require supplementation. If your dog is sick, your vet will measure their electrolyte levels through a blood sample and can provide more targeted treatment to rebalance their electrolytes if needed.

How to Prevent Dehydration in Dogs

While electrolytes may not be the right answer to proper dog hydration, there are many safe ways to keep your dog hydrated.

The Final Say on Dogs and Electrolytes

Dogs do not routinely need electrolyte supplementation in hot weather or after exercise. This is because when dogs pant to cool off, they lose pure water, unlike humans who also lose electrolytes when we sweat. The best ways to keep your dog comfortable and safe in hot weather are to provide cool, fresh water, hydrating snacks, and to keep them out of the heat as much as possible.

Dogs with certain illnesses may require electrolyte supplementation or other treatments to readjust elevated electrolytes, but this should only be done under veterinary supervision, where their electrolyte levels can be carefully monitored. Be sure to see your vet right away if you are concerned that your dog is overheated or too sick to eat and drink on their own.