It is no secret that our beloved pets get dehydrated from time to time. Therefore, many pet owners are wondering, – Can dogs drink gatorade?
Gatorade, which is sold as “an exercise enhancement drink” is a potent drink for combating dehydration as it has rehydrating electrolytes present.
One thing to remember is that it is high in sugar. With this in mind, we’ll be answering the frequently asked question, – is it safe for dogs to drink gatorade?
Can dogs drink Gatorade?
Well, dogs suffer dehydration as humans do, so yes, they can drink Gatorade. Noticing your dog’s dehydration can be tough if you don’t know where to look since even when panting, they are always happy and smiling.
But what you should know is hot days, play, and rigorous training exercises can wear out pets just like humans get tired and dehydrated.
Once you acknowledge that your pet is prone to dehydration, helping it get hydrated isn’t a bad idea.
Even if your pet drinks gallons of water when it’s dehydrated, it will make little to no difference. That is why products like Gatorade or Bullyade will be the perfect solutions for combating dehydration.
But how do you figure out if your dog is dehydrated?
One of the most used methods is the skin pinch test. With this method, you pinch your pet’s skin to see its reaction.
The elasticity of the skin is an easy way to determine if your dog needs to be hydrated or not.
If you pinch your dog’s skin and it elasticity snaps instantly, then your pooch is safe, having all the water it requires. But if its skin elasticity takes a while to recover, your fur buddy might be dehydrated.
Also, you can watch out for your dog’s appetite levels. When your dog become uninterested in food, it might be due to the dehydration.
Additionally, watch out if your dog is panting, or if it has thick saliva pouring from his mouth. It is an indicator that your pet is not getting as many fluids as needed.
Is it safe for dogs to drink Gatorade?
For more than 50 years, Gatorade has been a go-to product for humans for the all-important recovering of fluids lost during an illness or after an intense workout session.
Some dog owners have let their pets have a taste of this drink and conclude that it helped improve diarrhea.
However, the question remains – is Gatorade safe for dogs? It’s time we find out.
Dogs usually get dehydrated and display it with symptoms like lethargy, vomiting, and even diarrhea. Gatorade is an excellent drink for rehydration and could be the reason dog owners administer them.
However, Gatorade isn’t processed as readily in a dog as in humans. Bear in mind that the organs in our bodies and those in dogs” are not the same. Our organs are large and robust, while the reverse is the case for your pooch.
Our bodies are definitely equipped better to deal with Gatorade, and in much larger quantities.
Furthermore, Gatorade contains sodium and sugar – both of which pose problems to dogs when consumed in specific quantities.
To answer the above question, ”moderation is key.”
While dehydration can pose serious issues for your dog, Gatorade remains an excellent drink to balance the electrolytes in your pet.
However, moderate consumption is the only time Gatorade will be safe for it.
How does Gatorade work on dogs?
First manufactured at the University of Florida, the idea of Gatorade is to eliminate the after-issues that athletes suffer after an intense exercise.
When you perform a rigorous workout, your body will lose fluids through sweating. Gatorade is a formula to replenish the lost electrolytes like sodium and potassium, keeping you hydrated and energised.
The way Gatorade works in dogs is the same in humans. Several activities, like running or playing for long periods, can make your dog lose body fluids.
If you are not observant, you won’t notice because dogs don’t sweat. What you need to do is to give your dog a small amount of Gatorade to prevent it from getting dehydrated.
Can my dog drink Gatorade if sick?
When your dog is sick – especially having several episodes of vomiting or diarrhea, giving it some Gatorade is a great idea. It is because Gatorade has a long history of easing diarrhea in dogs.
However, you shouldn’t give your pet gatorade straight away. Firstly, observe your dog after vomiting if it is acting somewhat normal. Don’t Don’t give it any water or Gatorade until at least 2 hours later.
When reintroducing Gatorade, do it in small quantities at a time, say one-quarter of a cup and see if he vomits or not. If he doesn’t throw up, you can give it more Gatorade in 20-minute intervals until it doesn’t want anymore.
In case your dog doesn’t stop vomiting after a few hours of administering Gatorade and exhibits other symptoms such as lethargy, contact your vet immediately.
How to give your dog Gatorade
Experts advise that your dog mustn’t have more than a few sips of Gatorade at a time. Most of the time, water is enough to restore the electrolyte balance.
However, if your dog just had an episode of diarrhea, a few sips of Gatorade to replace lost potassium and sodium is necessary.
The small amounts of gatorade must be administered in at least 20-30 minute intervals for safety.
Conclusion
Dehydration is a serious problem that is often taken lightly simply because it is a commonplace. It can pose slight to severe consequences in humans and can be life-threatening in dogs.
Dogs suffer specific issues like lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and shock, but the good news is that they can be handled quite easily with water or Gatorade.
Gatorade is an excellent drink for your dog to balance its lost body electrolyte and also help ease its diarrhea. The sports drink is as refreshing to dogs as it is to humans, plus dogs are also bound to like the sweet taste.
Still, Gatorade has high sugar content and can be harmful to your dog if consumed in large amounts. That is why your dog should consume Gatorade in moderation.
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