It's National Pet Hydration Awareness Month

It's National Pet Hydration Awareness Month and a crucial topic of discussion this time around is how to keep your cat hydrated. July is a hot month with soaring temperatures which often leads to dehydration. Pet parents are aware of the fact that their pets contain a higher percentage of water in their bodies than humans do, but this often leads to negating the amount of water they are taking in daily.

Dehydration is a common phenomenon that takes place when your cat does not drink enough water, or there is excessive loss of water from the body. Cats also sweat through their paws at times which, although rare, can lead to cat dehydration.

How much water does a cat need?

The rule of thumb is that your cat must drink 3.5 to 4.5 ounces of water every 5 pounds of its body weight daily. For example, if your cat weighs 10 pounds, she should ideally drink 7 to 9 ounces of water.

Symptoms of cat dehydration

● Diarrhea

● Vomiting

● Dry mouth

● Dry nose

● Thickened saliva

● Loss of appetite

● Drowsiness

● Excessive panting

How to keep your cat hydrated?

There are a few things you can do to keep your little one hydrated and healthy.

● Ensure that they always have access to fresh water kept in a bowl, preferably beside the food bowl

● Other than the one kept beside the food bowl, place a few more water bowls across the house

● Many cats love to play with running water, so if you have the space and resources, you can build them a running water fountain. They will surely drink some water while playing around with it

● Meals are another great source of water intake. You can increase the water content in the food they eat

● Ice cubes can be a fun way to ensure your cat is drinking an adequate amount of water

● Dehydration is common when you are traveling with your pet. Make sure you carry bottles of water for them

Things to do if your cat is dehydrated

There are a few home remedies as well that can be used to rehydrate them. You can add a little bit of tuna juice or chicken broth to their water. Another method is to replace your cat’s dry food with wet food, at least for a few days, till she is healthy and completely hydrated again. Lastly, you can put some ice cubes in their water bowl. Keep your cat under strict observation for a day, and if she still does not get better, it is best to take her to the vet.

In severe cases, the vet might even ask you to hospitalize your cat. Needles are used to inject fluids into your pet to get her back on her feet. This method often takes from a few hours to a few days depending on the initial condition of the cat.

Summing up

For pet parents, their cats are like their own children, if not more. We know how attached you are to your furry babies and always want the best for them. Here in Texas during the summer dehydration is a genuine concern. This National Pet Hydration Month, we urge you to keep track of how much water your cat is drinking to ensure that she has a playful and healthy life ahead.