The Rationale Behind Giving your Dog Gatorade
For some dog owners, Gatorade makes for an attractive option to re-hydrate their pooch. After all, the beverage is formulated to recoup the electrolytes that help keep your body running smoothly, and a loss of electrolytes can cause your pooch to walk the path of dehydration, too. This supplies the reasoning for Gatorade as a canine aide: If its a liquid that keeps our bodies in balance, shouldnt it do the same thing for our companions?
If you’ve contemplated going down this road, you’ll be happy to hear the answer to this question is “yes.” However, don’t automatically dump a whole container of the stuff into your pooch’s dish just yet. There is a caveat to providing him with this beverage.
Is Gatorade Safe for Dogs to Drink?
Gatorade has the same effects on dogs as it does on humans. It will restore their hydration levels, electrolyte levels and make them feel better if they have diarrhea.
Clean tap water performs well to rehydrate your dog naturally. Gatorade will work the way it does in the human body. It will hydrate and restore electrolytes and make your dog feel better.
Giving it to dogs occasionally is safe, but regular use can lead to storing excess sugar, sodium, and other unnecessary elements, leading to water retention, blood pressure issues, and swelling.
For dogs that are sick, have been vomiting, or have diarrhea, electrolyte drinks like Gatorade can be very helpful in supporting their system until they feel better.
The most common ingredients in Gatorade are water, sodium, sugar, potassium, citric acid, added colors, and flavors. Though they are not poisonous to dogs, most owners may be concerned about the amount of sugar, flavors, and artificial colors in this drink.
It is made for consumption by humans with stronger and larger organs. Dogs are smaller than humans; their organs are also smaller. Therefore, they can’t process these ingredients as easily as humans; this can lead to serious problems.
What makes it even worse is that dogs don’t lose salt when they sweat; the vapors they release because of panting consist of water.
Gatorade contains high levels of sugar; if your dog can’t process the sugar content found in Gatorade, they may end up losing more water.
For example, if your dog has digestive issues, Gatorade may help them in the short term, but your dog could have a long-term illness. Your vet can diagnose the problem and recommend a solution for your furry pal.
Can dogs drink anything other than water?
Dog-friendly drinking alternatives like alcohol-free dog beer, wine and prosecco and health tonics and herbal tea for dogs (minus the caffeine) are treats.
Is it Safe and Healthy to Give Gatorade to Your Dog?
A few sips of Gatorade are perfectly safe for your dog, but water is the only fluid your dog needs to stay hydrated. It may help your dog somewhat to have a few sips of Gatorade after a bout of diarrhea, but Pedialyte is probably a better choice.