Monitoring your cat’s water intake can be tricky, primarily if you work a traditional 9-5, but drinking water is one of the essential methods for good pet health. However, cat dehydration could be a sign of an underlying disease that causes excessive water loss.
The common symptoms of cat dehydration are:
- Lethargy/Weakness
- Sunken Eyes
- Dull Eyes
- Tacky Gums
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Skin Tent
Lethargy/Weakness: She may show signs of having decreased energy over a consistent period.
- Sunken/Dull Eyes: His eyes may look sunken into his skull or not glimmer.
- Tacky Gums: Her gums should be pink and moist, not dry and pale.
- Diarrhea: Without routine water intake, his stool could become loose. In the case of dry stool, your cat may be experiencing constipation, and either one should be consulted with your vet immediately.
- Vomiting: This is a sign of physical distress related to dehydration.
- Skin Tent: His skin should be elastic and supple, not dry.
Always consult your vet if you suspect these symptoms.
Another thing to be mindful of is your cat’s environment. Be sure that she isn’t anxious and uncomfortable.
Why Do Older Cats Get Dehydrated?
If your cat is older, it’s essential to be aware of any diseases that could cause dehydration. There are three diseases which are diabetes, kidney disease, and hyperthyroidism.
- Diabetes
Like humans, older cats are more susceptible to diabetes due to obesity, inactivity, and even genetics than younger cats.
- Kidney Disease
This is when she may be drinking fluids and urinating more often than expected. If this is suspected, consult your veterinarian.
- Hyperthyroidism
Most likely occurs in cats aged ten years or older. This overproduction of the thyroid hormone causes the bladder to produce more urine and may contribute to diarrhea and vomiting.
Cat Urgent Care
If you suspect she could be dehydrated, schedule an appointment with us and request an internal medicine or emergency service.
Internal Medicine encompasses a one-on-one discussion with the Internal Medicine Specialist, Dr. Steven Hodges.
Dr. Hodges has experience diagnosing unique issues concerning cardiac, respiratory, gastrointestinal, urogenital, endocrine, and hematologic systems.
Through coordinated efforts with your primary veterinarian, Dr. Hodges will work to diagnose your pet’s illness and discuss with you possible treatment plans to get your pet back on the right track.
An Emergency Service ranges from an upset stomach to a severe, traumatic injury. The ER Staff will be able to provide the following:
- After-hours Observation
- Advanced Cardiac Monitoring
- Treatment for minor ailments such as an upset stomach
- Immediate triage admittance for life-threatening, traumatic injuries.
The ER is fully equipped with eight exam rooms, four emergency surgical suits with advanced anesthetic monitoring, and on-site diagnostic capabilities, including:
- Radiography (x-rays)
- Blood chemistry analysis
- Complete blood cell counts
- ECG analysis
- Blood pressure monitoring
- Endoscopy
What Is Pet Insurance?
It could become an unexpected expense based on the severity of your cat’s health. Pet insurance provides a safety net for the unimaginable and ensures your pet receives the best care.
Pet Insurance is a health insurance policy that pays for medical expenses and other services such as wellness. These plans are reimbursement-based, which means you pay for services upfront and then submit a claim to the insurance company. On the other hand, some plans pay the vet directly, which can keep your pet’s out-of-pocket costs low.
Accidents and illness plans, accident-only plans, and wellness plans for routine care such as vaccinations are typically covered.
What is usually not covered includes pre-existing conditions, exam fees, and anything not directly related to veterinarian care, such as grooming services.
A few pet insurance companies to check out are:
- Trupanion
- Spot
- Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
- Toto
- Lemonade
- Nationwide
- ASPCA Pet Health Insurance
- Pets Best and many more
How To Prevent Dehydration in Your Cat?
As mentioned above, always ensure that fresh, cool water is available for your cat to drink. For busy cat owners, one way you can stay on top of your cat’s water intake is by purchasing an automatic kitty water fountain. Also, you can add water to her food or substitute dry food with wet food a few days a week.
To schedule an appointment or for more information, visit our contact us page.
