How to know if a cat is dehydrated

Dehydration is due to an imbalance of water and electrolytes in the body of the cat and this can cause serious complications and even death, if not treated. When the fluid level is below normal, the cat begins to dehydrate.

There are some signs that will help you know if your cat has a lack of fluids and can save you a lot of trouble. If you have ever asked yourself How to know if a cat is dehydrated, do not miss the guidelines that we give you below in. If you have any symptoms of dehydration, you should provide your pet with fresh water and take it to the veterinarian.

What can cause dehydration?

Sometimes it is difficult to notice dehydration in a cat, since the symptoms can be subtle and perhaps we overlook them. That’s why it’s important know what can make your cat suffer from dehydration, to be more attentive and take action on time.

There are some diseases that cause this condition such as diarrhea, vomiting, fever, internal bleeding, urine problems, burns or heat stroke, among others.

If our cat suffers from any of these problems we should closely monitor the dehydration symptoms and call the veterinarian if necessary, in addition to making sure we provide enough fresh water to drink.

Check your gums

The humidity and the time of capillary filling are two methods to know if a cat is dehydrated. To check the moisture of the gum you should touch it with your finger gently. Lift the upper lip and do it quickly, because if you slow down you can simply dry it by air.

If the gums are sticky your cat may be in the first stage of dehydration. If they are completely dry it can mean that your hairy has a severe dehydration.

The capillary refill test consists of measuring the time it takes the capillaries of the gums to fill with blood again. To do this, press the gum to turn white and see how long it takes to regain the normal color. In a hydrated cat this will take about two seconds. The longer it takes your gums to turn pink, the more dehydrated your cat will be. This is because dehydration reduces the volume of blood, so it will cost the body more to fill the capillaries.

Check the elasticity of the skin

The cat’s skin will lose elasticity and will be drier if it is not well hydrated, so if you wonder how to know if a cat is dehydrated, you can check how long it takes the skin to return to its place after stretching it.

To do this, gently pinch the skin of the back of your cat and stretch it a little upwards, as if separating it from the body. In a well hydrated cat the skin will return to its normal state immediately, while if it is dehydrated it will return very little by little.

This test is only valid in cats with a normal weight, without dermatological problems and that are not very old, since with the age, the skin loses elasticity.

Check the eyes

The eyes can give you a lot of information to know if a cat is dehydrated. The lack of fluids causes the eyes sSee more sunk of normal, in addition, they will be very dry and, in cases of severe dehydration, the third eyelid may be visible.

Check your body temperature and your heart rate

When a cat is dehydrated your heart will work faster, so the heart rate will be higher. In addition, this affects your body temperature, which may be lower than normal.

You can hold your cat’s leg and feel its temperature. If you have the same temperature as always you should not worry, but if you notice that they are colder than normal Maybe I’m dehydrated.

This article is merely informative, in .com we do not have the faculty to prescribe veterinary treatments or make any kind of diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian in case of any type of condition or discomfort.

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