Dehydration in cats is severe when their bodies lose five percent of their fluids. A five—to ten percent loss is considered moderate while losing more than ten percent is severe. It's important to understand that cats cannot survive a fifteen percent water loss. Since dehydration can be fatal, it's crucial to seek immediate veterinary care to address it. While dehydration can occur due to insufficient water intake, it may also signal a more serious underlying health problem that requires treatment and diagnosis.
For a cat's body to function correctly, it must maintain at least 60 percent of its composition in water and electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, and chloride. Dehydration, or hypohydration, starts when the body loses excess water without sufficient replacement. Cats need a regular intake of fluids to stay healthy. If they don't consume enough water, their cells draw fluid from themselves to keep organs working, negatively impacting the whole body, including circulation, digestion, and toxin removal.
Signs Of Dehydration In Cats
Dehydration symptoms in cats can vary from mild to severe.
When a cat is dehydrated, they often don't feel well. You might notice a decrease in their fluid intake and appetite. They may become lethargic and less active than usual. In some cases, their eyes might appear sunken, and in severe dehydration, they might pant, appear weak, or even collapse.
Test 1: Gum Check
To check for dehydration, gently lift your cat's lip and touch their gums. Healthy gums should be wet and slimy. If the gums feel dry or sticky, your cat is likely dehydrated.
Test 2: Skin Pinch Test
The skin pinch test is a common way to assess hydration, particularly effective in young, healthy cats with elastic skin. To perform the test, gently pinch the skin over your cat's shoulder blades and release it. The skin should return to its normal position quickly. If it slowly settles back instead of snapping back, it may indicate dehydration.
Cause Of Dehydration In Cats
There are numerous causes of dehydration in cats, but the core issue is that your cat loses fluids faster than they take them in.
All cats lose fluids throughout the day—breathing evaporates essential fluids, and significant amounts are lost through urination. Proper hydration is crucial for maintaining restoring balance and bodily functions.
Anything disrupting this balance can lead to dehydration:
- Reduced Food and Water Intake: Common causes include anything that prevents your cat from eating or drinking properly. Without adequate fluid intake, dehydration can set in rapidly.
- Vomiting and Diarrhea: These conditions cause rapid fluid loss, and affected cats may not feel like eating or drinking to replace the lost fluids.
- Diabetes and Renal Disease: These common conditions in cats increase water loss, leading to quick dehydration.
- Fevers or Injuries: Both can result in dehydration.
- Hot Weather and Dry Air: Prolonged exposure can lead to dehydration.
The severity of dehydration typically depends on the underlying cause, with milder conditions causing mild dehydration.
Symptoms Of Dehydration In Cats
In the early stages, dehydration symptoms may be mild, but they become more noticeable as water loss increases. Any signs of dehydration in a cat require prompt medical attention. Symptoms to look out for include:
- Dry mouth
- Sunken eyes
- Lethargy
- Constipation
- Reduced skin elasticity
- Slow capillary refill time (time taken for blood to return to the lips after pressing)
- Increased heart rate
- Frequent urination (polyuria)
Diagnosis Of Dehydration In Cats
Upon arriving at the veterinary clinic, your cat will receive a thorough physical examination. You will be asked detailed questions about your cat's eating and drinking habits and the onset of any symptoms. The aim is to determine the cause of the dehydration to prevent it from recurring after immediate rehydration. Identifying dehydration is straightforward, often using a skin turgor test where the scruff of the neck is pinched, and the time it takes to return to its normal position is observed. This test can be more challenging in obese cats.
Complete blood work, including a full blood count and biochemical profile, will be conducted to confirm the diagnosis. Tests like the packed cell volume (PCV) and total blood protein can detect dehydration by measuring the concentration of cells and protein in the blood. Additionally, a urinalysis will help assess electrolyte levels and kidney function. Dehydrated cats typically have more concentrated urine.
Treatment Of Dehydration In Cats
The primary step in treating a dehydrated cat is replenishing its fluids to stabilize its condition. Subsequently, underlying issues are addressed. Untreated dehydration can quickly lead to severe complications.
Fluid Administration
Oral fluid consumption is often insufficient to correct life-threatening dehydration. In most cases, intravenous fluids administered directly into the vein are necessary. Fluids should be introduced slowly, requiring hospitalization during the process. Ongoing fluid replacement might be needed, and it should be administered subcutaneously using a syringe through the skin on the back of the neck. This subcutaneous treatment can be managed at home for chronic dehydration cases.
Antiemetics
If dehydration is due to excessive vomiting, antiemetics may be given to prevent nausea and vomiting. These medications block the receptors in the cat's brain that trigger vomiting.
Kidney Failure
Treatment options are limited if kidney failure is the underlying issue.
Recovery Of Dehydration In Cats
After your cat is discharged, monitor it daily for signs of dehydration. Ensure fresh water is always accessible and change it multiple times a day. A water fountain dish can keep the water fresh and encourage your cat to drink. Your veterinarian may recommend switching to wet food to increase water intake through meals. Provide a cool, shaded area both indoors and outdoors to prevent overheating.
Regular veterinary check-ups are crucial for identifying severe underlying conditions early. If your cat is diagnosed with a severe health issue, ongoing treatment may be necessary, including medication and regular at-home subcutaneous fluid injections.
