Does your cat drink little even in the scorching summer heat and is this worrying you? It may be useful to know that many feline breeds originate from arid areas, where water was rather scarce. Over time, cats have become resistant to the lack of water and absorbed it mainly from food. Today, however, domestic cats, in the majority of cases, feed on dry food, and cat dehydration , especially in the hottest periods, is one of the main problems they can encounter.
In this article you will find all the information on how to understand if your cat is dehydrated and what to do to encourage him to drink more water especially in the hottest periods.
In this article…
What is meant by the term dehydration?
Dehydration is a physical condition that depends on an imbalance between the amount of fluids that are taken in and that which the body releases . Maintaining a good level of hydration is essential for many vital functions in cats, including: regulating body temperature, digesting food, lubricating joints and providing oxygen and nutrients to the organs.
The symptoms of dehydration can vary: for example, gently pinching the scruff of the neck may cause the skin to remain raised for longer than normal ; another symptom could be constipation or the presence of cold and flabby paw pads , physical weakness and a decrease in appetite .
Being aware of these risks and knowing the symptoms of dehydration is very important to prevent much more serious problems for your four-legged friend.
What to do if your cat is dehydrated?
As in all cases where health problems are suspected in our animals, the advice is to contact your trusted veterinarian. A specialized doctor is the most suitable person to make a diagnosis and give advice. It is not necessary to force the cat to drink water, this could further aggravate the situation.
Place multiple bowls in different spots around the house
Often the cat is not encouraged to drink because he cannot easily reach the bowl, placing several in different points of the house can help him to drink more easily.
Furthermore, cats are naturally very fussy, which is why steel cat bowls are recommended, because they are more hygienic, easy to clean and do not retain odors that could drive the animal away. For the same reason, it is advisable to keep the bowls away from the litter box.
Flavor the water
When the cat does not drink willingly, it could be useful to enrich the water with meat or fish broths to make it more inviting and tasty , this will encourage him to take in a greater quantity of liquids during the day.
Beware of threats
Another tip is to check that there are no threats or other hostile animals that do not allow him to approach the bowl, this could scare him and prevent him from drinking.
Prefer foods rich in liquid
Domestic cats feed mainly on dry food, such as kibble, which could be diluted with a little warm water, or use our Vibrisse Shake as complementary food, created specifically to increase the amount of liquid ingested by our feline friend.
Using a cat water fountain
This tool guarantees fresh and clean water throughout the day , furthermore some cats prefer running water to the static water of the bowl, in this way the cat will be stimulated to drink, keeping himself hydrated and promoting the overall health of the body.
Photo by @thebengalalex
