Dehydration in Cats
It is no secret that most cats aren’t enthralled by the idea of frequent water drinking, so meowmies often worry if their cats are consuming enough water daily. Besides, water accounts for a huge percent of a cat’s body weight (a whopping 60-70%), and good hydration is important as it helps ensure proper organ functions and healthy skin and coat!
A good rule of thumb for cat’s hydration would be about 45 ml to 58ml of water for per kg of their body weight. For instance, you have a 5 kg cat, he should be drinking between 225ml to 290ml of water a day.
With that said, it might not be possible to accurately measure your cat’s daily water intake. So, how does one tell if their cat is dehydrated?
Symptoms of Dehydration
- Sticky and dry gums (in some instances, they can turn grey or yellow)
- Loose skin
- Sunken eyes
- Panting and loss of energy
- Refusing to eat
Checking of your cat’s skin elasticity is an easy way of concluding if your cat is dehydrated. Simply grab a small part of your cat’s skin around their shoulders, lift it up, and release.
A well hydrated cat’s skin will have no time reverting back to its original state but, a dehydrated cat on the other hand, will have its skin sinking back at a slow pace.
If the skin remains in the same position and fails to revert, it can be an indication of serious dehydration and requires immediate medical care.
Common Causes of Dehydration
Gastrointestinal Fluid Loss
Diarrhoea and vomiting can result in excessive loss of fluids.
Underlying health issues
Certain diseases can also result in more fluid loss than usual. Common conditions include kidney disease and diabetes.
Not having constant access to fresh water
This happens when water bowls/fountain are not refilled or if the cat is unable to access water (e.g., kept in a room without water or physical disabilities that makes going to the water bowl tough).
Hot weather
Periods of high heat and humidity can result in heatstroke and make our cats more susceptible to dehydration (especially if they aren’t drinking enough water).
On the whole, if you suspect your cat is dehydrated, it is important to bring him to the vet for assessment and/or treatment.
Prevention
The best way to prevent this is to increase your cat’s daily water intake.
Besides the regular consumption of wet food, there are a few methods where we can help to increase our cat’s water intake.
Click on our articles below for more information!