Step to Take if Your Cat Has Swollen Paws

Cat dehydration happens when there is excessive fluid loss from the cat's body. When this occurs, it's not just water loss. It is also a loss of some essential minerals in their body like chloride, sodium, and potassium.

Water is essential to your cat's health. It helps it maintain good health and replace the fluids that they lose through their urine and feces. Water is also necessary for your cat's circulation, digestion, and waste removal. If dehydration is left untreated in your cat, the condition can lead to other severe medical concerns.

What Causes Dehydration in Cats?

SDehydration in cats is typically caused by the cat not drinking enough water or by excessive water loss. Cats can also lose moisture by sweating small amounts through their paws but this does not usually cause drastic water loss. Dehydration could be brought about by many different factors like:

1.Diabetes

2.Diarrhea/loose stool

3.Fever

4.Heatstroke

5.Hot weather or overheating

6.Trauma

7.Vomiting

To help your cat maintain healthy hydration, ensure that they can always access fresh water in a clean bowl every day.

How Much Water Does My Cat Need?

Your cat needs a daily amount of about 3.5 to 4.5 ounces of water per 5 pounds of their body weight. For instance, if you have a 10-pound cat, they should be drinking between 7 to 9 ounces of water daily.

If the cat eats wet food often, you may notice that it doesn't drink as much water. That's because the cat is consuming water when they eat. Wet food is made of up to 80% water.

Cats who primarily eat dry food, on the other hand, won't consume as much water from their food. They need to get hydrated by drinking from their water dish.

How Is Dehydration Treated?

A quick procedure your veterinarian can perform involves them giving the cat fluids under the skin. In severe cases, your veterinarian can recommend hospitalizing your cat and giving them fluids through a catheter that goes directly into the cat's vein. This method can usually rehydrate your cat within a few hours or days.

Your veterinarian will also diagnose the underlying reason for your cat's dehydration and help you nurse them back to health.