Dehydration is a condition when your kitty has either lost a lot of fluid or used up more than what she needs for primary body metabolism. With little or no fluid replacement through water intake, she may experience fatigue and a slowdown of body functioning. The reduced fluids and electrolytes may even minimise toxin elimination, and this automatically means toxic contents may accumulate within her fragile body. In severe conditions, a kitty may have to deal with organ failure and fatality potentially.
There are various reasons for your furball to lose much-needed body fluids. Some are overheating, vomiting, severe diarrhea, body metabolic issues due to hyperthyroidism, diabetes, kidney complaints, high temperature and blood loss. If you suspect dehydration in your munchkin because of any possible underlying medical condition, then you must take her to the vet immediately for diagnosis and treatment.
Having the best pet insurance helps as pet insurance costs are relatively small compared to the hefty medical bills you may need to pay if your pet falls critically ill unexpectedly. Have this backup so you don’t have to compromise with providing quality health care for your pet kitty in distressing times when you may be financially unprepared.
Why your pet kitty may not be sipping enough water?
- Cats have a low thirst drive because of their genetics. Your kitty’s ancestors mainly lived in the wild and were carnivores. They were getting most of their water requirement from moisture present in their prey. The creature meals were sufficient to meet feral cats’ fluid necessities.
- Due to their inherent nature, cats hardly feel the urge to drink water. So, it is pretty easy for them to get dehydrated. The situation may get even more complicated if the cat parents feed them predominantly dry food.
- Sick cats may find it very tiring to move around. In addition, they may not have the heart to drink water as they possibly feel nauseous or lethargic because of the illness.
- Curious cats that may go astray or accidentally get trapped in areas with no access to water may get dehydrated.
- Outdoor cats may not have access to adequate water sources and may suffer dehydration. Therefore, feline parents must ensure that cats left outdoors have enough water supply and regularly check if their bowls are full.
- Cats are susceptible to tap water’s smell and taste. So instead, they prefer drinking from natural water sources or running water. They may even find some water bowls a big turn off and choose not to drink water from them.
How to tell if your kitty is dehydrated?
- Look at your kitty’s eyes. They will tell you her dehydration story. If your kitty’s eyes have lost sparkle, appear dull, and have sunken into the eye sockets, then most likely her body is deficient in fluid content.
- Well-hydrated kitty has pink and moist gums. Else, they may be dry and sticky.
- Check saliva in her mouth. Watery saliva shows a normal state of health. If not, it might be dense and sticky.
- A dehydrated cat is most likely to be constipated. First, check the litter box to look at the stool texture. If the stools are hard pellets, then for sure she is dehydrated.
- Take your kitty to the vet if you observe adverse symptoms like loss of appetite, lethargy, increased heart rate, etc., in her.
Have the best pet insurance that covers your kitty’s vet bills, medicines, and much more. For example, suppose your kitty is suffering from a potential critical illness that may have caused dehydration. In that case, you need to know that pet insurance costs are considerably low compared to the enormous expenses you may need to shell out without cat insurance. So, buy a policy that serves both your interests.
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