How to Prevent Dehydration in Dogs and Cats

Posted on July 7, 2021 by Holly

At the peak of summer, the month of July has been established as National Pet Hydration Month. While keeping water available to indoor and outdoor pets may seem like common sense, the summer heat can increase risks for dehydration. Providing clean, fresh water for your dog or cat is the single best way to prevent dehydration. However, there are some other factors to consider when it comes to hydration and your pets.

Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluid than it’s taking in. Water is vital to all living things. It affects every process in the body, from organ function to circulation and digestion. Many articles describe the health benefits of humans maintaining water consumption, and the same goes for our furry friends. At the bottom line, keeping your pet hydrated is important to keeping them healthy.

How to Know if Your Cat or Dog is Dehydrated?

Common Signs of Dehydration in Dogs and Cats:

Loss of appetite
Reduced energy levels
Lethargy or depression
Panting
Sunken, dry-looking eyes
Dry nose and gums
Loss of skin elasticity

You may be able to detect dehydration at home by gently pinching and lifting the skin over your dog or cat’s shoulder blades. Normally, the skin should quickly return back to its regular position. If the skin stays gathered when you release it, you may have a dehydrated cat on your hands. This is known as “skin tenting” and is a common sign of dehydration. However, this technique does not work as well in cats that are very overweight or very thin.

How to Check Your Pet’s Hydration

What Causes Dehydration in Dogs and Cats?

Dehydration in dogs and cats can be caused by multiple things. When a pet has reduced water intake or increased fluid loss, they are prone to dehydration. This may also cause a loss of electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium which have important functions in the body.

Overheating in hot weather
Heavy work or exercise
A lack of clean drinking water
Acute illness or period of vomiting or diarrhea
An underlying health condition such as diabetes or kidney disease

How is Dehydration Treated in Cats and Dogs?

Since dehydration is typically a symptom of a larger problem, your veterinarian will need to examine your dog or cat to identify and treat any underlying condition. Severe cases of dehydration require emergency veterinary attention. Without intervention, severe dehydration can lead to organ failure and death.

Prevention: How to Keep Your Pet Hydrated

The best way to keep your pet hydrated is to make fresh water available at all times and replace their water daily to encourage them to drink. Some pets, particularly cats, are finicky drinkers, prefer certain bowls, and even prefer to drink in certain locations. Some dogs and cats prefer to drink moving water from a pet water fountain bowl or a dripping kitchen faucet.

Keep their water bowls clean and wash them regularly to prevent bacteria growth.
Use a portable or collapsible bowl if you are traveling or on the go.
Experiment with different water bowls, and consider trying a pet water fountain.
Make sure you offer enough water sources if you have a multi-pet household
Try offering wet food in your dog or cat’s diet can help provide a source of hydration.
Ask your veterinarian about a hydration supplement or electrolyte fluid.

Keep a good eye on your dog or cat’s drinking habits. If your pet has any sudden changes, including a decrease or increase in drinking water, you should contact your veterinarian. Speak with your veterinarian about a liquid hydration supplement to help boost your pet’s fluid intake or incorporate wet food into their diet.

Hydration and Electrolyte Supplements for Dogs and Cats

VetRxDirect carries a variety of hydration supplements, and we’ve highlighted some of them below!

Oralade

Oralade is a ready-to-use, liquid formula for cats and dogs that includes balanced electrolytes, nutrients, amino acids, and glucose in purified water.
Oralade supports dogs and cats with critical nutritional and hydration needs.

Purina Hydra Care

Purina Hydra Care is a nutrient-enriched water supplement that promotes healthy hydration in cats.
It contains nutritional osmolytes to help cells absorb water and combat dehydration.
Encourages cats to consume more liquid than with just water alone. Learn more.

Thomas Pet Hydrade

HydrADE is an electrolyte replacement supplement for dogs and cats that helps support normal hydration and encourages water consumption.
Helps maintain positive fluid levels during episodes of dehydration in dogs and cats.

Pet-A-Lyte

Pet-A-Lyte is a liquid electrolyte solution for dogs and cats.
Helps provide nutrients, electrolytes, and oral hydration.
Aids in recovery from illness or surgery.
Helps with mild fluid loss and dehydration.
Tasty chicken flavor.

This information is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease and is purely educational. Please seek advice from your pet’s veterinarian with any questions regarding the health of your pet.

Purina Hydra Care Helps Cats Drink More Water

Posted on June 13, 2020 by Holly

What is Hydra Care Hydration Supplement for Cats?

Hydra Care is now available at VetRxDirect!

Purina Hydra Care is a nutrient-enriched water supplement that promotes healthy hydration in cats. It contains nutritional osmolytes to help cells absorb water and combat dehydration. Hydra Care has a tempting liver flavor and helps encourage cats to consume more liquid. Hydra Care was shown to increase total liquid intake and decrease urine specific gravity when compared to cats consuming only water and dry food. This makes it ideal for cats that don’t consume enough water on their own. And, it may support cats with urinary and kidney problems. Purina Hydra Care is easy to feed, simply offer it in a third bowl, alongside your cat’s food and water.

Why is Hydration Important?

Water is vital to all living things. It affects every process in the body from organ function to circulation and digestion. There are many articles describing the health benefits of humans maintaining water consumption and the same goes for our furry friends. At the bottom line, keeping your cat hydrated is important to keeping them healthy. It also helps decrease the likelihood of urinary stones and helps the kidneys flush out toxins.

What Causes Dehydration in Cats?

As it turns out, cats may not be the most efficient drinkers. Deborah Greco, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, Purina senior research scientist, said when cats drink, they bring up the water from the bowl with their tongue and they form a column of water which they bite off. They’re not getting a lot of water all at once — only about three one-hundredths of a teaspoon per lap.

Dehydration in cats can be caused by multiple things. When a cat has reduced water intake or increased fluid loss, they are prone to dehydration. Overheating in hot weather, a lack of clean drinking water or a period of vomiting or diarrhea can cause fluid loss in cats. It can also be caused by another underlying health issue.

Cats can be prone to kidney disease which can progress to kidney failure. In these cases, the kidneys no longer function properly. In order to prevent dehydration, cats may require injectable fluids. Jessica Quimby, DVM, PhD, DACVIM stated that “Hydration is particularly important because when you have chronic kidney disease you can no longer hydrate or rehydrate yourself once you become dehydrated.”

Signs of Dehydration in Cats

The signs of dehydration are not always obvious. Only a veterinarian can provide proper diagnosis and treatment. Here’s what to look for:

Dry gums or dry mouth
Lethargy or depression
Loss of appetite
A decrease in skin elasticity
Elevated heart rate

You may be able to detect dehydration at home by gently pinching and lifting the skin over your cat’s shoulder blades. Normally, the skin should quickly return back to its regular position. If the skin stays gathered when you release it, you may have a dehydrated cat on your hands. This is known as “skin tenting” and is a common sign of dehydration. However, this technique does not work as well in cats that are very overweight or very thin.

Keep a good eye on your cat’s drinking habits. If your pet has any sudden changes including a decrease or increase in drinking water, you should contact your veterinarian.

How Can I Get My Cat to Drink More Water?

The first step is: Make fresh water available at all times. Giving your cat good quality water can turn to an effort-wasted if it isn’t replenished daily. Refreshing their water daily encourages them to drink it. Many owners find their cats are finicky drinkers and prefer certain types of bowls, and even prefer to drink in certain locations. Some cats prefer to drink moving water from a pet water fountain bowl or a dripping kitchen faucet. Offering wet food in your cat’s diet can help provide a source of hydration. More Creative ways to encourage your cat to drink more water. Sometimes, despite effort and creativity, cats still don’t drink enough water on their own.

How does Hydra Care Work?

Purina reported that cats offered Hydra Care during testing consumed on average 28% more liquid each day than cats consuming water only in addition to dry feeding. And it was shown to decrease urine specific gravity and osmolality when compared to cats consuming only water alone. Watch their video below to learn more about the science behind Hydra Care.

Is Hydra Care the new answer for cats that don’t drink enough water? Leave us a comment below!