Water– the elixir of life

Your cat needs water to stay healthy. It aids in the maintenance of good health and replenishes the fluids lost through urine and feces. Additionally, your cat needs water for circulation, digestion, and waste disposal. Cat dehydration occurs when the cat loses an excessive amount of bodily fluid. There is more than just water loss when this happens. Several important minerals including chloride, salt, and potassium are lost from their body. Dehydration in your cat might cause other serious medical issues if it is not handled properly or on time.

What makes Cats Dehydrated?

Cats frequently suffer from dehydration due to insufficient water intake or excessive water loss. Although cats can sweat a tiny amount through their paws, this usually does not result in a significant loss of water. Dehydration may result from a variety of reasons, including –

• Diabetes
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Heatstroke
• Hot weather or overheating
• Trauma
• Vomiting

How much water does my cat need? The science behind it

Typically, cats need roughly 50 ml of water per kg of body weight every day. So for a cat weighing 4-5 kg, this equates to 200-250 ml per day. The consumption of “free water” from beverages and food as well as “oxidation water” created by metabolism can satisfy this need for water.

As a result, converting 1 g of protein, carbohydrate, or fat into energy results in approximately 0.4 g, 0.6 g, and 1.1 g of water, respectively.

You would notice that cats who frequently consume wet food don’t drink as much water. This is purely due to the fact that up to 80% of wet food is water. On the other hand, cats who eat mostly dry food don’t get as much water from their diet. They must drink from their water dish separately to stay hydrated.

Keep an eye for these symptoms

Make sure your pet consumes enough water each day as part of their daily diet. Cats who don’t drink enough water have a higher risk of dehydration. Some signs of dehydration in cats are –

• Loss of energy
• Panting
• Refusal to eat
• Sunken eyes
• Tacky and dry gums

Skin tenting is a useful test for figuring out whether your cat is dehydrated. To accomplish this, carefully grab a little patch of skin near your pet’s shoulders, pull it up, and then let go. If your cat is properly hydrated, the skin will heal up rapidly. If the skin slowly begins to go back down, your cat may be dehydrated. It may indicate severe dehydration if your pet’s skin does not retract from its tent-like configuration and instead stays up. In such a situation, consult your vet at the earliest.

What can I do to help my dehydrated pet?

In cats, dehydration is frequently a symptom of a significant underlying medical issue. You should seek immediate assistance from your veterinarian if you think your cat may be dehydrated. You can attempt the following home remedies in the meanwhile to help your cat rehydrate–

• To their water, add a small amount of chicken broth or tuna juice.
• Try feeding them moist food rather than dry food.
• Fill their water basin with ice cubes.

For instance, it is beneficial to discuss how to maintain healthy and appropriate hydration levels for your pet with your veterinarian, especially if she has cancer, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, or a renal condition.

How can dehydration be treated?

In extreme cases, your veterinarian may administer fluids subcutaneously to your pet as a fast operation. If the condition is serious, your veterinarian may advise hospitalization and intravenous hydration will be administered to your feline friend. Your pet can typically be rehydrated using this technique in a few hours or days. Your pet’s underlying cause of dehydration will also be determined by your veterinarian.
Now that you’ve read the article, it is a reminder that you and your pet go and sip some water to stay healthy, happy, and hydrated!