Hydration is important for everyone, and it’s important for your dog, too. Dogs need plenty of fresh and clean water, but is it possible they can have too much water? Here’s what to know about water intoxication in dogs:

What is Water Intoxication in Dogs?

Water intoxication in dogs can also be called water toxemia, water poisoning, or even hyperhydration. This happens when a dog swallows way too much water in too short a time. When a dog takes in too much water too quickly, the body cannot process it fast enough, and it dilutes the sodium in the bloodstream.

Water intoxication occurs when sodium levels dip so low that it becomes hyponatremia. Essentially, there is too much water in the body relative to sodium, which dilutes electrolytes too much, causes a misbalance, and leads to cells swelling.

As the body tries to rebalance, it responds to these low sodium levels by increasing the fluid intake inside the organs. Some organs can adjust to those swelling cells, but other organs, such as the brain, cannot. Because the brain is encased in the skull, which is bone, it cannot swell much without causing injury. While all breeds can be at risk for water intoxication, toy or small dogs have a higher risk due to their smaller body size. It takes less water for their system to get out of balance, and their bodies don’t have as much space and capacity to process it.

In humans, water intoxication can be the result of drinking too much water too quickly after strenuous exercise. However, water intoxication in dogs is most likely to happen if a dog is swimming or spending time in bodies of water because of how they swim, retrieving toys in water, and how easily water enters their mouth. If your dog likes to jump into lakes or do activities like dock diving, they may be at risk for water intoxication. Dogs who enjoy playing with and biting at water from a hose or high-pressure sprinklers can also be at risk if you’re not cautious.

Signs of Water Intoxication in Dogs

If your dog has water intoxication, there are some signs to be aware of. Here are a few signs of water intoxication in dogs, many of which are symptoms you should never ignore in your dog:

• Pale gums
• Lethargy
• Bloating
• Dilated pupils
• Vomiting
• Restlessness
• Trouble walking or a loss of coordination
• Excessive or sudden drooling
• Glazed eyes

You may see some of these signs and symptoms if your dog is drinking more water than usual. If a dog develops water intoxication and the pressure in the brain increases too much, cells may begin to die off. If this happens, they may have problems breathing, experience seizures, or even go into a coma.

How to Treat Water Intoxication in Dogs

If you have any reason to suspect that your dog might be experiencing water intoxication, either get to your veterinarian or an emergency veterinarian clinic as soon as you possibly can. Water intoxication means the dog doesn’t have enough sodium in their body, and stabilizing those levels is crucial for recovery.

Blood Tests or Other Lab Work Should Be Done

Because water intoxication has not been part of enough veterinary literature, it can sometimes be wrongly diagnosed as either overexertion or hypothermia. If your dog is exhibiting signs of water intoxication, and your veterinarian isn’t running a blood test or other lab work, ask for these tests to be done. One of the best ways to know for sure if it’s water intoxication is to check the blood sodium levels.

Electrolytes to Stabilize Sodium Levels

Treating water intoxication in dogs typically involves administering electrolytes to help stabilize sodium levels.

However, you can’t just give your dog a Gatorade and hope for the best. Human sports drinks are generally not safe for dogs and are likely to harm them, either by upsetting their stomach and causing them to lose even more electrolytes, overdosing on electrolytes and potassium, or by introducing xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.

Administering electrolytes needs to be done by a veterinarian for appropriate dosage and monitoring. Too many electrolytes may cause neurological problems.

Diuretics to Decrease Pressure

Veterinarians may also use drugs to decrease excess pressure in the brain. Diuretics, like Lasix, can help the body remove extra fluid more quickly.

Extreme Cases Can Be Fatal

In mild cases of water intoxication, a dog might have a slightly staggering walk, but they typically recover their equilibrium and can walk as normal. In more severe cases, the brain may become too damaged and cannot be reversed. In these extreme cases, the dog may need to be euthanized or will die naturally.

This is just an overview of what to know about water intoxication in dogs. If left untreated, water intoxication can have serious, and sometimes fatal, consequences for your dog. Like bloat in dogs, it’s really important to be able to recognize the symptoms so you can get your dog treatment quickly and give them the best chance at recovery.