Dehydration In Cats: Causes, Symptoms, Dangers and Treatment
Cats are subject to dehydration as they are naturally not good drinkers. Dehydration takes place when there is an excessive loss of fluid from the body of the cat. It is not just water that is lost, but electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, and chloride that play a vital role are also lost. Water in a cat’s body helps maintain a normal blood flow to organs, transports nutrients, and gets rid of harmful waste products through the kidneys. Dehydration in cats can mess these important processes and quickly turn dangerous. If untreated, dehydration can lead to severe health issues.
Causes of dehydration
Dehydration occurs when fluid levels drop to less than normal. This can be due to either reduced water intake or an increase in fluid loss. Overheating in hot weather, a bout of diarrhea, or vomiting can all cause fluid loss in cats. This is because they do not replace the fluids they have lost.
Getting stuck in the shed for a couple of days or chronically under-drinking also results in dehydration.
Other than that, Dehydration can be caused by medical conditions. The most common of these is renal disease. When a cat’s kidneys start to struggle, they lose the ability to re-absorb water from the kidneys and therefore keep the water in the body. They produce a lot of urine instead. As a result, they become quickly dehydrated if they don’t drink enough water to keep up with their output.
Hyperthyroidism and unmanaged diabetes also cause dehydration in cats.
Dissatisfaction with the water or water bowl may keep your feline from drinking. Accidental confinement in a place where there is no access to water can also eventually lead to dehydration.
Symptoms of dehydration
- Skin tenting
If you take a pinch of skin over the cat’s shoulders and pull up gently, the skin should snap back into place when released. The skin goes back in place more and more slowly as the cat becomes more dehydrated. The cat has severe dehydration if the pinch of skin stays up.
- Dry and tacky gums
Healthy cat gums are pink and moist. Dry and tacky gums mean that your cat could be dehydrated.
- Refusal to eat
When your feline companion has lost their appetite for an extended period, this is a sign that she is unwell and can be linked to dehydration.
- Sunken eyes
Whenever the eyes of your cat appear sunken, hazy, or just not right, this could be a result of a lack of water
- Flat or depressed behavior
If the behavior of your cat alters from their usual routine, not moving from their bed or hiding away, you should see the vet. Observe their behavior over a day or so, and if they look depressed and lethargic, dehydration may be a contributing factor.
- Seeking out water
You may find a dehydrated cat licking the walls of the shower or trying to drink from the toilet.
Dangers of Dehydration
While mild, chronic dehydration caused by a disease can often be solved at home, severe dehydration can cause death.
Mild, chronic dehydration can affect organs such as kidneys. It leads to reduced blood flow making all organs to be at risk. Organs that metabolize drugs like kidneys and liver are at risk particularly if some drugs are used whilst the cat is dehydrated.
Nonetheless, severe dehydration can cause heart problems, as the lack of fluid results in the heart pumping faster. This puts the heart under a lot of pressure, and the organs are still not able to get what they require. The organs will begin to die at this level and your beloved cat will go into a state of shock. Cats at this level are likely to die as they are unable to absorb water from the intestines. However, medical intervention could save them.
In addition, severe dehydration may result in brain swelling. It also reduces blood flow and oxygen to organs that are vital. This leads to serious electrolyte disturbances.
Treatment of Dehydration in Cats
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Fluid administration
In cases of dehydration, oral fluid administration is often not enough to rectify the life-threatening situation. In most cases, intravenous administration of fluids directly into the vein is required. The fluid levels should be brought up slowly and hospitalization is needed for the process. The cat may require ongoing fluid replacement, and this is often done subcutaneously with a syringe through the skin on the back of the cat’s neck. In chronic cases of dehydration, the treatment can be done at home.
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Antiemetics
If excessive vomiting is the cause of dehydration, antiemetics may be administered to prevent both vomiting and nausea in the cat. These drugs inhibit the receptors that trigger vomiting in the cat.
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Home care
If your cat has mild dehydration of 5% or less, you may do some at-home care. This involves feeding wet food with extra water added. You may also provide a rehydration solution for the cat to drink. Rehydration solutions are to encourage your cat to drink and contain electrolytes that replace those lost in vomiting or diarrhea.
Here are some of the Best Wet Cat Foods.
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Provide a large choice of water bowls in many different locations
This is a way of encouraging the cat to drink more. Cat fountains can also be used. Cow milk also is a way of persuading older and ill cats to drink more fluids.
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Provide a frozen treat
Try giving your feline companion a frozen treat as long as they are not suffering from heatstroke. You can also give the cat food with high water content like ice cubes, watermelon, popsicles, or cucumber. Make sure the seeds and rind are removed if you are providing any type of melon.
Read about the Best Cat Water Fountains.
Conclusion
Dehydration in cats can be fatal at times. It occurs relatively quickly on a hot day, particularly if your furry friend is excitable or engaging in strenuous activity. Knowing the signs and symptoms of dehydration makes you in a better position to ensure that it doesn’t become severe. By ensuring that your cat has a plentiful supply of clean and fresh drinking water helps keep her safe from dehydration.