Sometimes when our pets are ill and vomit or have diarrhea, they lose fluid - severely dehydrated animals can lose up to 10 percent of their body weight in fluids. One way to tell if they are dehydrated is to gently pinch a bunch of skin on their neck or shoulders and if it falls back quickly, they are fine, if not they need fluids.
Electrolyte solution replenishes this fluid. Make your own rather than pay for expensive brands at grocery stores which also have preservatives and chemical in them that your pet may not be able to handle.
1 quart clean water (no chlorine or fluoride)
1tablespoon sugar or honey
1 teaspoon common table salt
Mix well and refrigerate unused portions in a clean container. Warm only amount to be used to room temperature before use. electrolyte solution hat is left out will turn moldy. For extended use, make a fresh batch every day.
The following amounts should be given over the course of a day until the pet is drinking on its own from the water bowl. For less acute dehydration simply offer as much electrolyte solution as the animal will drink on its own from a bowl. I like to use a plastic syringe and give a dose of the intake periodically.
Kittens and puppies - three tablespoons
Pets weighing five pounds - four to five tablespoons
Pets weighing ten pounds - three quarters of a cup
Pets weighing fifteen or more pounds - one quarter of a cup for each five pounds of body weight.
This information from Kaetheryn Walker's Homeopathic First Aid for Animals.
