What if I told you that your feline friend has an intriguing past? Cats evolved from being desert creatures. They have maintained their capacity to meet their water demands owing to evolution.
However, not obtaining enough water from the meals alone can cause dehydration in cats. My goal is to provide the information you need to keep your cat hydrated. So keep reading to learn more about dehydration in cats, what causes it and how to avoid it.
What Causes Dehydration in Cats?
Cats stay hydrated by eating water-rich meals. However, dry food may not be the only cause of dehydration in the cat. Felines can be parched for an assortment of factors, like:
- Weather: The warmer and drier weather outdoors, the thirstier your cat will get. Take into account the outdoor environment and the indoor conditions of your house.
- Energetic Cat: An active cat will need more water. This is a specific concern among cats that like frolicking and playing.
- Autonomy: While many cats are free to roam around the house, some cats are restricted from moving at particular times of the day. Sometimes, you close the door while your cat sleeps with you. While this is a great time to cuddle, it keeps your cat from accessing its water bowl at night.
Diarrhea, vomiting, injuries, and hyperglycemia are other causes of dehydration in cats.
How to Check for Dehydration?
Pinch your cat’s epidermis and watch what happens. Since skin elasticity is a typical indicator of dehydration, they are probably dehydrated if their skin remains squeezed. This is considered the best way to check for dehydration.
Simultaneously, they are likely to be fine if the skin smooths out quickly. Other indications of dehydration in cats include:
- Lethargy
- Dry Gums
- Refusing to Eat
- Sunken Eyes
- Panting
How to Maintain Hydration in Cats?
If your cat is dehydrated, get to the bottom of the problem as soon as possible. Just placing a bowl will not suffice. You will have to entice the cat to drink water.
Cats may drink replenishing energy drinks in an urgent situation. Water could potentially be treated with soluble electrolytes. However, this should not be your preferred strategy. Instead, make sure your cat gets enough water.
Some simple methods are mentioned below for keeping your furry friend hydrated and content. These include:
1. Provide them with Fresh Water
Provide your feline with fresh water in a convenient location at all times. Maintain a dish and replenish it as needed. If you’re finding it hard to get your cat to drink from an ordinary water dish, using a water fountain might help them stick their tongue in and have a drink.
A cat water fountain helps keep the water clean and fresh for longer. But you still have to replace the water after set intervals. Using a cat water fountain with adjustable water flow is an excellent idea! Keep the water fountain in a quiet corner where the cat can easily find it and drink as much water as they need.
2. Opt for Wet Cat food
Water is not the only element that keeps a cat hydrated. Food is potentially vital. Always go for wet food. It will help achieve their water requirements while providing critical nutrients.
Do not push your cat to make a drastic change if you go this route. This will irritate the cat’s stomach, causing it to lose even more fluids. Any diet adjustment should be made gradually over two weeks.
3. Tap water should be avoided
It is possible that your cat’s issue is not with water at all but with tap water. This is not a case of elitism. Cats have a high sense of smell. Most cats are hesitant to consume tap water as a result of this. To a cat, this liquid can have a pungent chlorine odor.
4. Make the Water Alluring in Taste and Aroma
Even after purifying the water, your kitty can refuse to drink. Enhance the taste or aroma of water whenever you need to encourage your cat. Ordinary ice cubes can sometimes be used to accomplish this. In some circumstances, an additional flavoring like curry or tuna juice will be required.
5. Chicken or Beef Broths should be fed
Feeding a kitty stew is a logical continuation of wet food. Most of the meals will be made with water. As a result, they are naturally hydrating. It can quickly replenish any fluids that have been lost. A meaty soup, such as chicken or beef, can entice most cats.
For the sake of taste, avoid using any potentially hazardous additives. Cats have a plain and uncomplicated taste. Garlic and onion, for instance, are delicious to humans but poisonous to cats.
