Lola and Lexy's Top 5 Signs of Dehydration in Cats

Hello, everyone. This is Lexy checking in with our latest “Top Five” post. July is Pet Hydration Month, and Lola and I thought it would be a good idea to talk about the top five signs of dehydration in cats. 

Before we delve into the signs of dehydration, let’s discuss a few other points. What exactly does “hydration” mean? According to Brian M. Zanghi, Ph.D. from the Nestle Research Center, hydration is a dynamic process between water intake and loss.  And according to Purina, hydration is the physiological state of balanced electrolytes, specific minerals, and fluids within the body. “Water affects everything from circulation to digestion, so it’s evident why keeping your cat hydrated is critical.” Proper hydration regulates your cats’ body temperature, keeps their bones and joints healthy, and helps nutrients move through their body. So, you can see why it’s very important you make sure your cat is always well hydrated. 

Dehydration is an imbalance of water and electrolytes in the body, and it can cause serious complications for your cat.  When a cat is dehydrated their body has used up the fluid it requires to carry out basic functions. Dehydration occurs when water intake is reduced or there is an increase in fluid loss.

Here are five signs that may indicate your cat is dehydrated.

 

Lola and Lexy’s Top Five Signs of Dehydration in Cats

1. Lethargy

Lethargy means you cat is not as active as usual and has less energy. It’s important to know your cat’s habits and to pay attention to changes in their behavior. Some changes may be sleeping more than usual and being less playful. 

2. Constipation

A dehydrated cat is usually a constipated cat. Have you noticed less poop in the litterbox? Is your cat’s stool small and very hard? Have you noticed small pieces of stool outside of the box? These are signs that your cat could be experiencing constipation.

3. Sunken, Dry Eyes

The lack of fluid causes your cat’s eyes to look more sunken than usual. In addition, they will be very dry and, in cases of severe dehydration, their third eyelid may be visible. Their eyes may also look dull, instead of shiny.

4. Sticky Gums

If your cat’s gums are pink and moist, she’s well hydrated. But if they are dry, sticky, or tacky, she may be dehydrated. To check, push lightly on the gum with your finger and then remove it. A blanched area will appear on the gum, which, in a well hydrated cat, should disappear and return to pink in one to two seconds. 

5. Poor Skin Elasticity (Also referred to as “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 A dehydrated cat's skin will not rebound as quickly as a well-hydrated cat's. If the pinch of skin stays up (the "tent"), it could indicate your cat is dehydrated. 

At any time you think your cat may be suffering from dehydration, you should seek veterinary attention immediately. Severe dehydration could be life threatening, and it could also be a sign of an underlying medical condition.

We hope you found this information helpful. Stay tuned for our next “Top Five” post, where we’ll be discussing five ways to keep your indoor cat cool in the summertime. 

Do you think your cat drinks enough water? Tell us in the comments.

You can catch up on all of our Top Five posts here. 

Lola and Lexy





Sources:
Dehydration in Cats: How Can You Tell If a Cat Is Dehydrated? Retrieved July 11, 2020, from https://www.cathealth.com/cat-care/how-to/2233-dehydration-in-cats-how-can-you-tell-if-a-cat-is-dehydrated

Jason Nicholas, B. My Cat Won't Drink: How Much Water Cats Need & Dehydration Prevention. Retrieved July 11, 2020, from https://www.preventivevet.com/cats/how-much-water-cats-need-tips-for-preventing-dehydration

Zanghi, Brian, M. Water Needs and Hydration for Cats and Dogs. Retrieved July 11, 2020, from Nestle Research Center. https://www.purinainstitute.com/sites/g/files/auxxlc381/files/2018-05/Brian%20M.%20Zanghi%20-%20Water%20Needs%20and%20Hydration%20for%20Cats%20and%20Dogs.pdf.

Do Cats Need Wet Food? Benefits of Including it in Their Diets. (n.d.). Retrieved July 11, 2020, from https://www.purina.com/articles/cat/feeding/do-cats-need-wet-food 

Cat Dehydration: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments. (n.d.). Retrieved July 12, 2020, from https://pets.webmd.com/cats/guide/dehydration-cats