Water and hydration
How can I tell if my dog is dehydrated?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Check skin elasticity by gently lifting a fold of skin between the shoulder blades and seeing how quickly it snaps back, feel the gums for a moist, slippery texture rather than tacky or dry, and look for sunken eyes or noticeably low energy, which together give a reliable picture of hydration status.
The skin tent test
Gently lift a small fold of loose skin between the shoulder blades and release it: in a well hydrated dog it snaps back almost immediately, while a dog that is dehydrated shows skin that returns slowly, sometimes staying tented for a second or two.
Checking gums and eyes
Healthy gums feel wet and slippery to a gentle touch with a clean finger, while dehydrated gums often feel tacky or dry. Sunken looking eyes, less common but a clearer sign when present, usually indicate a more significant level of dehydration.
Behavioral signs to combine with physical checks
Lethargy, reduced interest in food, and a generally dull or less responsive demeanor often accompany physical dehydration signs, and looking at the whole picture together gives a far more reliable read than any single sign checked in isolation.
Key takeaways
- Slow skin recoil after gently lifting a fold of skin is a classic dehydration sign.
- Tacky or dry gums, rather than moist and slippery, indicate reduced hydration.
- Sunken eyes usually reflect more significant dehydration.
- Combining physical signs with behavior like lethargy gives the clearest picture.