Is it a good idea to use Pedialyte for dogs who might be dehydrated or have an electrolyte imbalance? Integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby explains that dogs can safely drink small amounts of diluted, unflavored Pedialyte in some situations. But there are better ways to help a sick and dehydrated dog. Learn why Pedialyte isn’t the best choice and what you should do instead.
Have you ever been in this situation? It is a holiday weekend, and your regular vet’s office is closed. At first, you thought maybe your dog just had some mild GI upset. But as the hours passed, the vomiting and diarrhea continued to worsen. Now your dog looks sluggish, and you are starting to worry about dehydration.
As you rack your brain for ways to help your dog, you remember you have some bottles of Pedialyte in the pantry from the last GI bug that ran through your household. Could Pedialyte be the answer for your dog?
What is Pedialyte?
Pedialyte® is an electrolyte solution formulated for humans that helps to replace sodium, potassium, chloride, and zinc. Most commonly, people reach for it when vomiting, diarrhea, or other situations lead to excess fluid and electrolyte loss. Understandably, then, some dog parents may wonder if it is a suitable option for dogs, too.
Can dogs have Pedialyte?
Most dogs can safely have a small amount of diluted (usually 1:1 with water) unflavored Pedialyte, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it should be the first, or even second or third, thing you reach for. Pedialyte isn’t right for every dog or every situation.
Often, by the time you are wondering if your dog needs Pedialyte, what he or she really needs is a trip to the vet. Pedialyte may temporarily improve hydration and electrolyte levels. But it isn’t going to address the underlying problem that led to the dehydration and electrolyte imbalances in the first place. Thus, it is not a substitute for appropriate veterinary care.
What are the problems with using Pedialyte for dogs?
There are several reasons why Pedialyte isn’t the top choice for a sick or dehydrated dog.
1. Lack of evidence for using Pedialyte
Despite the fact that on the internet Pedialyte is a common recommendation for dogs who are vomiting, having diarrhea, or otherwise losing fluid and/or electrolytes, there are currently no veterinary studies on using Pedialyte for dogs. Those studies that do evaluate oral electrolyte replacement in dogs use a product formulated specifically for dogs.
Yes, Pedialyte is cheap and readily available. But the research simply isn’t there to say what benefits, if any, Pedialyte could have for dogs over different rehydration options like regular water, oral electrolyte solutions made for dogs, or low-sodium chicken broth.
2. Pedialyte isn’t going to address the underlying problem
Pedialyte (or any other at-home methods of replenishing fluids or addressing electrolyte imbalances) is not a substitute for veterinary care. Dogs who are vomiting profusely or are having severe diarrhea need to be seen by a veterinarian.
Some conditions, such as intestinal obstructions, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE in dogs), parvovirus, intussusceptions (the intestine telescoping on itself), or toxin ingestion, can become fatal rapidly without prompt and appropriate veterinary care.
Giving Pedialyte isn’t going to address the root cause of these issues. And deciding to give Pedialyte and see if it helps, rather than seeking veterinary attention, can delay the time before your dog gets the treatment he or she needs. This can affect the outcome for your dog.
3. Pedialyte is formulated for humans, not dogs
In a pinch, diluted unflavored Pedialyte may be effective. But when choosing an electrolyte solution for your pup, it makes more sense to pick one specifically formulated to meet the needs of dogs. Using a dog-specific product helps ensure that the electrolyte balance is correct. And it also means it shouldn’t contain any substances, such as sugar substitutes, that are harmful to dogs.
4. Some dogs should not drink Pedialyte
For some dogs, Pedialyte has the potential to make things worse, not better. The sugar in it may cause a blood glucose spike in dogs with diabetes. And even in a non-diabetic dog, Pedialyte’s sugar content may contribute to further GI upset, which is counterproductive. Plus, the level of sodium in Pedialyte may be detrimental if the dog also has heart disease in dogs or kidney disease in dogs.
5. Pedialyte may contain dangerous sugar substitutes
While unflavored diluted Pedialyte is generally safe for most dogs, the flavored versions are not. Some flavored varieties of Pedialyte may contain xylitol (birch sugar), which is toxic to dogs. When ingested, xylitol can cause life-threatening drops in blood sugar and/or liver damage. Other sugar substitutes potentially found in Pedialyte (such as sucralose) are less dangerous than xylitol but can still cause GI upset.
Thus, it is very important to check the label for xylitol and only use unflavored Pedialyte if you are thinking about giving some to your dog.
What should I do instead of using Pedialyte for dogs?
Rather than trying to get your dog to drink Pedialyte, consider these alternatives:
Call your vet
If you see some of the signs below, the first thing you should do is contact your vet.
- Repeated vomiting (more than once or twice in 24 hours)
- Bloody vomit
- More than 24-48 hours of the dog having diarrhea but acting fine
- Black or tarry diarrhea, explosive diarrhea, or dog diarrhea with blood in it
- Abdominal pain (standing in a hunched position, assuming a play bow position, stretching)
- Being a lethargic dog
- Signs of dehydration in dogs (sticky or tacky gums, skin that stays tented when picked up, sunken eyes, lethargy)
- Symptoms that start after potentially getting into a toxin
If your dog has pale gums, seems painful, has a distended abdomen, collapses, is very weak, or is experiencing other severe symptoms, you may need to make an emergency vet visit.
Offer small amounts of food and water
With your vet’s permission (or if your regular vet’s office is closed and you feel your dog is stable enough to wait until it opens again), you might consider home remedies like offering your dog small amounts of water and a bland diet.
Offer your dog small sips of water or ice cubes
Plain old water is a great way to rehydrate dogs. Offering your dog small amounts of water at a time or letting him or her lick an ice cube can be beneficial. If your dog drinks too much water at once, he or she may potentially vomit it up again. Thus, small occasional sips are best. (Just like we would do when we have a GI bug.)
If your dog is reluctant to drink, putting fresh, cool water in the bowl can sometimes be enticing. So can adding a few ice cubes to the water. Some dog parents also like to add a small amount of low-sodium chicken broth to the water for flavor. But if you do that, ensure your dog also has a bowl of “plain” water to choose from.
Feed your dog small amounts of a bland diet
Feeding a highly digestible, bland diet for dogs is another good way to address mild GI upset. This usually entails mixing a low-fat protein, such as baked chicken, and a carbohydrate source, such as white or brown rice. Or you can buy a prescription diet from the vet that is easy to digest.
Only give your dog a small amount of food at a time. If he or she keeps that down, you can offer a bit more.
Put the Pedialyte down and call your vet
If you are contemplating giving Pedialyte to a dog with vomiting or diarrhea, please pause and consider whether or not you should be calling the vet instead.
Yes, generally speaking, small amounts of diluted unflavored Pedialyte are safe for most dogs. But it doesn’t address the reason your dog is dehydrated or has low electrolytes in the first place. Plus, Pedialyte is not a good idea for diabetic dogs or those with heart and kidney problems, as it is not formulated for dogs, and doesn’t have research showing it has benefits.
If you want to help your dog, put down the Pedialyte and pick up the phone to call the vet. That, plus potentially some water and a bland diet, are often the best ways to get your dog back to being a picture of good health.
What are your tips for keeping your dog hydrated when he or she is sick?
Please share below.
