Dehydration is due to an imbalance between water and electrolytes in the cat's body, it can cause serious complications, even death in the most serious cases. When the fluid level is below normal, the cat is dehydrated.
There are signs that will let you know if your cat is suffering from dehydration, so if one day you have ever wondered: "How do I know if my cat is dehydrated?", continue reading our article on catsmeaw. Before anything else and faced with the appearance of one of these symptoms, do not waste time and quickly give your cat fresh water before taking him to the veterinarian.
Causes of dehydration in cats
Sometimes it is difficult to realize that a cat is suffering from dehydration since the symptoms are sometimes subtle and go unnoticed. It is for this reason that it is important to know what are the causes of dehydration in cats in order to be more attentive and to be able to take the appropriate measures in time.
Certain illnesses or symptoms of illnesses cause dehydration in cats, such as:
- Diarrhea
- vomiting
- Fever
- Internal bleeding
- Urinary tract infections
- burns
- Sunstroke etc.
If your cat is suffering from any of these issues then you will need to monitor the symptoms of dehydration closely and call the vet if necessary. Also, don't forget to give your cat plenty of fresh water to drink.
Dehydration: cat's gums
Humidity and capillary refill time are two ways to tell if a cat is dehydrated or not. In order to check the moistness of your cat's gums, you will need to gently touch them. Raise his upper lip and touch his gums quickly, since if you take too long, they might just dry out from the air.
If the gums are slimy, your cat is likely in the first stage of dehydration. If they are completely dry, then your cat may be suffering from severe dehydration.
The capillary refill test measures how long it takes for the capillaries in the gums to refill with blood. To do this, press on the gum so that it turns white, then observe how long it takes to return to a normal red color. In a properly hydrated cat, it will only take a few seconds, on the other hand, the longer it takes to fill, the more the cat is dehydrated. This test is effective because dehydration reduces the overall blood volume, and it is for this reason that the capillaries will have a harder time filling up.
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Check the elasticity of the cat's skin
The cat's skin will lose elasticity and be drier, as if it were not moisturized. So if you're wondering how to tell if my cat is dehydrated, you can check how long it takes for a cat's skin to spring back into place after stretching it.
For this test, very gently pinch the skin on your cat's back and stretch a little upwards, as if to separate it from the body. In a well hydrated cat, the skin will return to its place immediately, whereas in a cat suffering from dehydration, it will gradually return. The difference is noticeable.
This test is effective in cats of average/normal weight, without dermatological problems and who are not too old because the skin loses its elasticity over time.
Check your cat's eyes
The eyes can give a lot of information when it comes to knowing if a cat is dehydrated or not. The lack of eye fluid causes the eyes to appear to be sunken more than usual. In addition, they will be very dry and in case of severe dehydration, the third eyelid may be apparent.
Check his body temperature and heart rate
When a cat is dehydrated, its heart will beat faster, so its heart rate will be higher. In addition, this disorder will also affect his body temperature, which will be likely to drop.
For this test, you can take your cat's paw to feel its temperature. If it's the same temperature as usual, you don't have to worry too much, but if your cat's paw is colder than usual, then he may be dehydrated.
We hope to have taught you things and if you ever have any doubts, do not hesitate to ask us your questions at the bottom of the page and above all, ask your veterinarian for information in the event of an emergency.
This article is purely informative, on catsmeaw do not have the skills to prescribe veterinary treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to take your animal to the veterinarian if it shows symptoms of feverishness or illness.