Quick Ways to Check if Your Cat Is Dehydrated

Confirmation of Dehydration

When cats exhibit signs of dehydration, it's a situation that can be quite manageable if caught early. A quick trip to the vet for intravenous fluids can restore the symptoms swiftly. While it's not a challenging condition, neglecting it can lead to serious health risks and even be lifethreatening. Therefore, it's crucial to be vigilant. Let's delve into how to check if a cat is dehydrated.

We can determine dehydration by examining several areas of the cat's body.

01. Skin

Take a gentle pinch of the skin around the cat's neck with your thumb and forefinger, then release. In a healthy cat, the skin should snap back immediately. However, if the cat is dehydrated, the skin will sag and take two to three seconds to return to its original position. The more severe the dehydration, the less elastic the skin will be, and the longer it will take to recover.

02. Gums

Gently touch the cat's gums with your finger. If they feel dry and slightly sticky, this is a sign of dehydration. Additionally, pressing on the gums should reveal pink gums that take longer than one second to return to their pink color from white, indicating dehydration as well.

03. Eyes

Concave eyes can be a strong indicator of dehydration in cats.

Conditions that can lead to dehydration include severe diarrhea, vomiting, feline distemper, pancreatitis, gastroenteritis, kidney failure, and more.

When pet owners notice signs of dehydration in their feline companions, it's important to act quickly. Use a syringe to administer some water and promptly contact a veterinary hospital for intravenous treatment. To catch any abnormalities early, regular interaction with your cat is key. If you're wellacquainted with your cat's usual state, you'll be able to spot any discrepancies right away. Cats are incredibly stoic creatures, and often by the time they can't hold out any longer, the situation has worsened. Establishing a routine of regular checkups can help identify and treat issues in your cat before they become severe.