Dehydration in Cats & Dogs

Dehydration is a serious concern for both humans and our pets, particularly during the summer months. If your pet doesn’t drink enough water on a warm day, dehydration may set in quickly, so it’s important to know the cause, signs, how to treat it, and when to see your veterinarian.

What is dehydration, and what are the causes?
Dehydration is a condition that can affect any species of pet, and occurs when more fluid is lost from the body than is taken in. This may be caused by symptoms of disease such as vomiting and diarrhoea, chronic kidney disease, untreated diabetes mellitus or simply not having access to enough clean water.

Dehydration may be further associated with conditions such as heat stroke, as it also plays a role in maintaining normal body temperature in the heat.

It is therefore important to ensure that your pet always has access to fresh, cool water at all times.

Are certain animals prone to dehydration?
Although any cat or dog can become dehydrated, young (especially infants) and geriatric animals are more at risk. Additionally, any cat or dog that is older or nursing a litter is more prone to dehydration.

What are the signs & symptoms?
Depending on how dehydrated your pet is, and the cause of dehydration, symptoms of dehydration may include:

• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy and/or weakness
• Vomiting and/or diarrhoea
• Dark, concentrated urine
• Excessive panting
• Sunken eyes
• Loss of skin elasticity and prolonged skin tenting
• Very pale or bright red gums

If you’re worried that your pet isn’t drinking enough but isn’t showing any of the signs of dehydration mentioned above, they may be fine.

Wet pet food has a high water content, so it is possible they may be receiving enough daily water from their diet. However, if your pet suddenly stops drinking as much as usual, it’s best to speak to your veterinarian for advice.

How to prevent dehydration in cats & dogs
There are a number of ways you can help your pet to maintain an adequate water intake by ensuring your pet has access to fresh water at all times.

Bacterial prevention: fresh, clean drinking water
Both the food and water bowls need to be thoroughly cleaned once a day to prevent slime and bacteria from accumulating.

Placing the bowls out of direct sunlight will also help decrease the speed at which bacteria can grow and keep water cooler for longer.

Supply the right quantity of water for your pets
If you have more than one pet, use multiple water bowls so that each pet has their own water supply.

Take water on the go
If you plan to take your pet for a long walk, running or hiking, you should always carry a supply of water with you.

Schedule activities for when it is cooler
Try to avoid going out at the hottest times of the day around noon, and limit your pet’s activity levels at these times and during hotter days as far as possible. Early morning and late afternoon/early evening are better times to go out with your pet to avoid heat-related dehydration.

Cats: Location, location, location
Many cats do not like to drink water that is located anywhere near their food source. To ensure your cat is drinking enough, try placing their water somewhere else at home, such as in the bathroom or in a corner of the kitchen.

They can also be fussy about drinking from a bowl – if this seems to be the case, try using a large mug to sip their water from.

When to see a vet for dehydration in cats & dogs
If your pets are presenting any of the more severe symptoms mentioned above, seem to be in pain, are not eating, or are experiencing vomiting and/or diarrhoea, you should seek veterinary attention immediately.

Source: Cape of Good Hope SPCA