Cat dehydration occurs when there is a rapid loss of water. An imbalance in the amount of water and electrolytes can have a serious effect, not only in cats but humans as well.

Water is an essential liquid to cats, which rely on it for all its biological processes, including digestion, circulation, and waste removal. It makes up to 80 percent of the cat’s total weight.

Causes of Cat Dehydration

Dehydration happens when the level of water is less than the normal amount required to survive. This happens due to a rapid loss of fluid or to a lack of intake.

Other causes of dehydration include overheating in hot water, a bout of vomiting or diarrhea, or increased activity. Illnesses such as fever, trauma, heatstroke, diabetes, and others can cause dehydration in cats.

It is very important to always give your cats access to drinking water. This is because even though cats are sensitive to water loss, they may not drink fluids until they have only 8% of their water storage.

Symptoms of Cat Dehydration

Check for the following symptoms if you believe that your cat is losing more water than it is getting:

  • Dry mouth
  • Depression
  • Elevated heart rate
  • Lethargy
  • Sunken eyes
  • Panting
  • Loss of skin elasticity

 

Cat Dehydration: Treatment and Prevention

As you have probably figured, dehydration is, many times, a symptom of an underlying condition. If you suspect that your cat is dehydrated, it is imperative that you take him to the veterinarian immediately.

As a responsible cat owner, it is important that you know how much water your cat needs. When a cat consumes more calories, he needs more water to dispose of waste.

An adult cat will drink about the same amount in milliliters of water as kilocalories they eat per day. Cats who eat dry food only do not get as much water as needed from food alone. Therefore, it is important that they always have access to clean and fresh water.