Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Why cat hydration matters and how to improve it
By E. Groves·Published in The Veterinary Nurse·2021·View original on Semantic Scholar →
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Original publication title: Moisture matters: a focus on feline hydration
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A cat can become dehydrated if it doesn't drink enough water, especially if it has health issues like kidney disease, diabetes, or is vomiting. Cats often don't drink enough on their own, which can make it hard to keep them hydrated. To help, pet owners can try different strategies to encourage their cats to drink more, such as providing fresh water, using water fountains, or offering wet food. Keeping your cat well-hydrated is crucial for their overall health, especially if they have specific medical conditions.
People also search for: why is my cat not drinking water · cat kidney disease hydration · how to get my cat to drink more water
Abstract
Water intake in cats is important both in health and disease. While healthy cats with free access to water are adept at maintaining a good water balance, cats can be susceptible to dehydration if the homeostatic mechanisms controlling hydration are disrupted. There are a number of situations in which promoting water intake can be beneficial, particularly in cats with increased water losses (for example, chronic kidney disease; diabetes mellitus; cases of vomiting or diarrhoea), decreased intake of water (for example, as a result of inappetance), and in cats with conditions such as feline lower urinary tract disease. However, cats are often considered ‘poor drinkers’, so increasing their water intake when it is needed can be challenging. This article discusses the water requirements of cats and why they may be susceptible to dehydration. It also explores strategies to successfully encourage water intake in cats and evaluates some of the evidence behind the recommendations.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Semantic Scholar: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/017bc880b9f373fd2e73bc43d0fc62319b3ae9c9