Pedialyte for Dogs - Is It Safe For Dogs?

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Humans and dogs can suffer from dehydration. It can come unexpectedly, and it should be treated as soon as possible. Humans can battle dehydration with electrolyte solutions like Pedialyte. It is a great way to replenish fluids and battle mild dehydration caused by diarrhea. It sounds like an interesting and elegant solution for us, but what about dogs? Can dogs have Pedialyte? Here is what you need to know about Pedialyte and dogs.

What is Pedialyte?

Pedialyte is the name of a brand. It is an electrolyte solution that was initially aimed at helping children fight dehydration. Kids are prone to gastrointestinal upsets because they have a developing GI tract, and we all know how much they love playing outside. They could easily pick up bacteria or anything else that could cause them an upset stomach and dehydration. Pedialyte is a great way to make up for the lost electrolytes and fluids.

Is Pedialyte safe for dogs?

Plain, unflavored Pedialyte is safe for our dogs, but only in small amounts. It can be used as a short-term solution for dehydration and electrolyte depletion. However, Pedialyte is not a long-term solution. It will not stop your dog’s fluid loss nor take care of any other symptoms your dog is experiencing.

If your dog is vomiting or having diarrhea, the best thing you can do is call your vet and notify them about what is going on with your dog. Giving your dog, Pedialyte won’t help them. In fact, some studies have shown that there are no significant benefits of giving your dog Pedialyte. The effect is the same as giving them regular water. It is better to avoid giving your dog this electrolyte solution.

If you get the amount wrong, you can end up causing your dog more harm and making them feel even worse.

What are the risks of giving your dog Pedialyte?

Pedialyte is given to kids and adults that have lost fluids and electrolytes because of vomiting or diarrhea. That can cause mild dehydration, and if the stomach is upset, even drinking plain water can be challenging. That is when Pedialyte comes into play. A small amount of this solution can replenish electrolytes and help us feel better. However, it can cause a completely different reaction in dogs.

Dehydration

Dogs that are experiencing dehydration should drink plain water. Unfortunately, Pedialyte is not the solution to your dog’s dehydration problem. If the situation gets worse, it could become life-threatening very fast. The best thing you could do is call your vet and let them know you are on your way.

Let them know your dog is severely dehydrated so your vet has time to prepare everything for your arrival. The critical thing is to determine what caused such a state in your dog and treat that cause. Pedialyte won’t be very effective at that.

If you want to know more about dog dehydration and its dangers, check out this article - Dehydration in dogs.

Vomiting can get worse

In some cases, giving Pedialyte to your vomiting dog can make them feel worse. The main issue is that owners often delay visiting the vet because they try to “cure” the issue with Pedialyte. If your dog seems to have an ongoing vomiting problem, you should call your vet. They will most likely recommend not feeding your dog 8 - 12 hours and checking for symptoms. If your dog starts being lethargic, take them to the vet.

Pedialyte formula

Human electrolyte solutions and drinks like Pedialyte are not meant to be given to dogs. Dogs have a different electrolyte balance than we do. Giving them these types of solutions can tip that balance in the wrong direction. Another thing these drinks have is a higher sodium content, which is unhealthy for dogs.

There are diseases in dogs that can cause vomiting or diarrhea. Without determining the exact reason your dog is sick, there is no way of knowing if Pedialyte would actually help them.

Are there any exceptions with Pedialyte for dogs?

Some exceptions exist, and some shelters without adequate hospital care have been known to give dogs with parvovirus Pedialyte. However, this electrolyte solution is not a cure for parvo. Instead, it was only given in tiny amounts as support for puppies with fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or dehydration.

In conclusion

There might be some benefits in giving your sick dog tiny amounts of Pedialyte. Still, vets and scientists have not yet determined what those benefits might be. Things like flavored Pedialyte contain high sugar or sodium content, which is not safe for dogs to consume. The best thing to do is to call your vet and ask for instructions. Giving your dog Pedialyte is too risky to justify doing it.

World Dog Finder team