GotoAID Cats - Dehydration

First Aid Index

People

Cats

Dogs


Search
GotoAID does not provide any medical advice or treatment, it is solely for informational purposes only

Respiratory

Emergency

Bites/Stings

Cuts/Wounds

Breaks & Sprains

Poisons

Burns

Medical Problems

Dehydration

Dehydration in cats may be caused by heat exposure, loss of fluids from vomiting or diarrhea, and/or due to an underlying serious medical problem. A dehydrated cat is a medical emergency. Oral rehydration via electrolytes is fruitless as cats are not very good drinkers. A dehydrated cat requires veterinary hospitalization and intravenous or subcutaneous fluid therapy in order to re-hydrate them.

Symptoms

Weakness	Increased Skin Tinting
Lethargic	Increased Skin Elasticity
Panting	Sticky Gums
Collapse	Stringy Saliva
Sunken Eyes	No Longer Drinking

Steps

Give your cat some water and make it more attractive to drink by flavoring it with some chicken broth or juice from water packed tuna

If there is severe dehydration provide a solution like Pedialyte either in whole or dilute it with 50/50 water/pedialyte

If your cat’s condition does not improve within 6-8 hours call your vet

Warnings

If the dehydration is severe and your cat won’t accept any fluids consult your vet immediately

Tips

A good way to tell if your cat is dehydrated is to gently lift the skin on the top of your cat’s head and gauge how quickly it springs back, the slower the springing the more dehydrated the cat is and if it does not spring back then it is severely dehydrated

Try using a turkey baster to squirt the Pedialyte solution in her mouth but keep her head tilted first

You may also use Gatorade in place of Pediatlyte

READ THIS

Suggestions

FEEDBACK

BOOKMARK US