Dehydration is a problem for all living things. In fact, human beings cannot go more than 3 days without drinking a single drop of water. If we take into account that our body is much larger than that of cats, we can imagine how necessary this precious liquid is for these animals. Unlike us, the felis catus You can't go a day without drinking water.
This in the past when it lived in its natural habitat was not too serious, since it managed to hydrate itself while eating. But since we usually give him more dry feed now than anything else, his kidneys tend to have a hard time over the years. So, We are going to tell you everything you need to know about dehydration in cats.
Table of Contents
Why do you need to drink water every day?
Water is the liquid that keeps the cat alive. Without it, something like breathing could not be done. This element contains electrolytes, which are minerals with an electrical charge - sodium, potassium, magnesium, etc. - that are contained in the body's fluids. If you do not drink or do not drink enough, you could develop serious disorders and could even die.
How do I know if my cat is dehydrated?
The cat is an expert animal in pretending that everything is fine, so it is necessary that we pay close attention to any new symptoms that may appear because any detail, no matter how small, could be important. To suspect that you are dehydrated, we have to see the following:
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Loss of skin elasticity
- Insolation
- Burns
- Urinary problems
- Internal bleeding
- Apathy
- Hollow eyes
- Elevated heart rate
- Low body temperature (below 38ºC)
- Loss of appetite
What to do to help you?
If we suspect that the cat is dehydrated, or that it drinks less than 50ml per kilo of weight, what we have to do is take it to the vet as soon as possible. We do not have to medicate him on our own, ever, because doing so could put his life at risk. Only the professional will know what to do and the advice to give us so that the animal recovers as soon as possible.
Once at the clinic or at the veterinary hospital, he will examine him and, depending on the severity of the case, he will administer intravenous serum so that his body gradually hydrates itself. In other cases, we may recommend giving you a wet diet.
Can it be prevented?
Dehydration in cats is a very common problem, but it can be prevented. For that I recommend the following:
Keep the drinker always clean and full
The cat is a very special animal. If the water is not clean and / or fresh, you will not drink. So, it is very important to clean the drinker daily, at least once, and make sure it is always full. Especially during the summer, it is vitally important that the furry can drink whenever he needs it.
And if you don't drink, you may find it more pleasant to drink from a drinking fountain. What this does is keep the water moving, something that you will love. You can find it for sale in any pet store, whether physical or online.
Give him wet food
The ideal thing for the cat is to eat wet food. It gets all the water it needs, just as it did before when it lived in its natural habitat. So, it is highly recommended to give him, since he is a kitten, Barf diet for cats following the advice of a feline nutritionist, Yum diet for cats, or give him cans of high-quality wet food like those of Applaws or Taste of the Wild. The latter are expensive: the 156g cost between 2 and 3 euros, but they are worth it.
Another option, if you do not want or cannot give cans daily, is to give them from time to time, or alternate the dry with the wet feed. This way, you will be hydrated.
Dehydration and urinary diseases
Cystitis, kidney stones, ... are just some of the most common diseases that cats have. Although they are often caused by a poor quality diet rich in grains, dehydration is much to blame. So that, If our dear friend urinates all over the place, has trouble going to the bathroom, urinates with blood, and / or licks his genital area too much, he most likely has a urinary disease.
If so, it is necessary that we take him to the vet as soon as possible. In this way, we will get a professional diagnosis made and also treated.
Dehydration is a very serious problem, especially when the victim is a cat. If you suspect that he is not feeling well, do not hesitate: consult a professional; otherwise you could be putting his life in danger.