It’s said that cats tend to be self-reliant, but they cannot survive without water for long. Maybe that’s the reason why a cat has a lifespan of 2 to 3 days on average without water. However, even in studying without water for 24 hours, I guess, quite some stress happens to their organs. This concludes that fresh water is necessary for the well-being of a cat. Even though cats are well suited to their surroundings and utilize water more efficiently than many other species. If they are thirsty for a long time that can dearly impact their body systems which can also lead to their demise. This article will help you to know how long can a cat survive without water.
Animals such as cats are fairly complex. For instance, this species of feline beasts gets part of their water content from what they eat, especially if their meals contain wet food. Especially cat meat, which has a water content as high as 70 to 80 percent helps cats satisfy some of their water requirements daily. But for cats that eat dry kibbles, the above point is null because they will have to balance out their food by drinking more. But alas such does not seem the case as some cats appear to consume very little fluids and instead look like they are imbibing nothing. One possible reason could be because evolutionarily they come from a lineage of cats that inhabited deserts.
The Environment and Health Connection for Cats
The environment is crucial for the hydration status of a cat. In hotter climates, dehydration may occur quickly. Hence, the cat owners must ensure that their cats have enough access to cool and clean drinking water. Moreover, a cat’s age, health status, and activity level all determine how soon the cat will be dehydrated. Kittens, aged cats, and cats suffering from chronic diseases like diabetes, kidney ailments, and cats who vomit a lot, or have diarrhea are more likely to become dehydrated easily.
Dehydration Symptoms of Cats
Dehydrated cats will always exhibit certain visual signs. There are several symptoms of dehydration in cats and these signs should never go unnoticed. These include cough cough, weakness, inappetence, dry and tacky gums, etc. A decrease in skin elasticity, sunken eyes, and high heart rate are other signs. One method to assess dehydration is the “skin tent” technique. The skin should smoothly recoil back when it is handled around the shoulder blades, and if it does not, it shows signs of dehydration.
Ways To Encourage Cats To Drink Water Instead Of Dehydrating
This may come as a surprise, but many cats have preferences when it comes to drinking water that are completely different from other animals. So it would be a good idea to place multiple sources of water across the house, to get them to drink more. Interestingly when drinking water, cats prefer their water bowl to be set away from the food bowl. They may dislike eating and drinking in one place, thus making the fact an instinct.
Another suitable approach to this problem would be a water fountain. Most cats enjoy watching water circulate, so this might be an enticing feature for them. Even cats have some peculiar encounters with sinks, puddles, or even glasses all because of a simple reason – they require water – and this is a great alternative for them. Owners or even guardians can give it a go.
The Importance of Providing Wet Food for Cats
Wet food is a fantastic way for a cat to stay hydrated. It is well known that wet food contains a large percentage of water which assists in meeting their daily hydration requirements. Cats that consume wet food will generally require drinking water to a lesser extent compared to those inclined to a dry food diet. Also, dehydrated cats, or cats who suffer from ailments such as kidney problems or cystitis will require wet food in their routine meals.
Adverse Consequences Associated with Not Drinking Enough Water
Not getting enough water or continuously being dehydrated can result in damaging conditions for your cat. These include kidney disease, urinary bladder issues, and even constipation. Even though the cat can still appear social and healthy, giving food with only low water content continuously helps the strain the renal system affected in the long run and can cause chronic conditions as well.
If a cat’s drinking habits shift, replace it with filters or start drinking excessive amounts, this trend should be captured. It may point to other medical issues that require the help of a doctor.
Prevention and Treatment of Dehydration
How much your cat is drinking water, when they are drinking water, and how they are drinking water needs to be closely monitored. Regarding the cats that drink little water but otherwise appear healthy, you can try to keep an eye on them especially when they eat wet food. But in case your file evolution goes on to develop a worrisome sign or shows a behavior change you need to quarter a vet.
Some owners may think putting up deterrents to prevent sheep-drenching is a good idea. For instance, placing ceramic or stainless steel bowls because their furry friend does not like plastic ones. On the other hand, always replacing and cleaning your cat’s water bowl with fresh drinking water every day is crucial because leaving old water behind will hinder your cat from drinking water.
How Essential Hydration is for Cats?
Cats, being creatures adapted to desert life are known to be quite good at retaining moisture. That being said, hydration is nevertheless crucial for their well-being as well as their general health. Although extreme cases allow cats to survive without any water for three days, this is ludicrous and can cause Appalling health risks. A core aspect of being a responsible pet owner is always making sure that your cat has access to clean unspoiled water.
Factors Regarding the Hydration of a Cat
These factors will help you to know how long can a cat survive without water. One can measure a cat’s water usage with the help of multiple factors which include:
Life Stage and Age:
For example, young cats are growing and require more water while older cats drink less water in the growing stage but this will only cause more problems with dehydration in the future.
Illnesses:
Cats suffering from chronic conditions like kidney ailments or diabetes have different hydration needs. Such cats need to be monitored for their water intake so that no complications arise.
Diet:
On the other hand, cats that eat wet or canned food which is high in water content tend to drink less water as compared to cats that solely eat dry food.
Climate/Circumstances:
Additionally, stress and changes to the environment and hot/humid regions can also trigger increased water needs in a cat so the average water intake is subject to change.
Water Preferences:
There is a wide variety in the preferences of cats when it comes to water, some for example depend on moving water whereas some like nonmoving water. It is also possible to motivate cats to drink more water by having a clean bowl that has easy access.
What are the Signs of Dehydration in Cats?
It is very crucial to identify dehydration in a cat because it can lead to a huge amount of health issues. Below are some indicators that could help you identify the issue with your cat:
Skin Elasticity:
In order to do this test simply. Gently pull the skin between their shoulders, if the skin takes too long to return back to its original form, then that may be a sign that your cat is suffering from Dehydration.
Gums:
Healthy cats usually have moist pink gums, if the gums start to go pale and dry up or become sticky, then that is a clear indicator that your cat is dehydrating.
Sunken Eyes:
Dehydration does seem to be the leading cause of the dullness in the eyes or the sunken appearance of a cat’s eyes.
Urine and Behavior:
Lethargy, decrease in the frequency of urination, darkened urine, and lack of energy are common symptoms brought on by dehydration.
Accelerated Heartbeat:
A consistently high reading of the heartbeat suggests that the organism might be badly dehydrated.
Panthers and Drooling:
Although it is uncommon for them, it can be a symptom of severe dehydration in a panther though they rarely show these signs.
How to Encourage a Cat to Drink More Water?
To avoid dehydration in the future, these steps can be taken:
- Ensure different bowls present fresh and clean drinking water all around the house when possible.
- Adding wet cat food could add some extra moisture to their meal.
- Try and get your hands on a cat water fountain or dripping faucets as cats are fond of drinking water this way.
- Use the warmer weather as an opportunity to play with your cats making them drink at the same time.
- Make sure all cats in a multi-pet household have the same opportunity to drink water.
The Scope of Consequences of Stemming from Long-Term Dehydration
Going a single day without water can cause dehydration, but for longer durations, it can have catastrophic implications. Dehydration affects major organs which drop blood pressure and subsequently circulation. Kidneys are usually the first to go, which can even lead to acute kidney failure and worse, death. On top of the kidney issues, urination issues also arise from dehydration, whether it’s a blockage or an infection, they are both bad.
Whenever a cat goes 24 hours without drinking water, especially for a dry food-only diet, it’s a good idea to get veterinary assistance. Without drinking the right amount of water, some symptoms can be broken down, such as lethargic attitude, dryness, inflamed gums, and even eyeball sinking, leading to smokey eyes and getting medical help.
Allowing a good amount of clean water to be drunk and paying attention to the amount of water your cat has come up with keeps your cat healthy and active while satisfying their thirst which negates the chances of dry throat. And as a result, you, the owner, too can find some peace of mind.
Conclusion
Mammals that are descendants of cats indeed tend to have a lower thirst drive. Cats are no exception, thus theoretically, it can be stated that they will always earn a low thirst drive. You must have a question how long can a cat survive without water? However, it is important to state that cats can go without water for some time but their bodies show stress after twenty-four hours without water. It is important to keep in mind that providing your cat with clean water regularly provokes the same. Ensuring that your cat is provided water along with other food types such as wet food or water fountains can ensure that your feline remains healthy.
FAQs
In general, it would suffice to address that every healthy cat of about five pounds should be drinking four ounces of water every single day. Hence, for example, a cat that weighs around ten pounds should be drinking around one cup of water in twenty-four hours which would account for around forty-eight ounces. Much of this amount is also brought about by wet food.
It has been verified that cats as creatures can last for three days without water, but what happens if they go longer? Going without water for longer than 3 days begins slow organ failure, weakening the cat’s appetite, mobility, and affection. All these things grow dire as each second, minute, hour and day passes on without enough hydration.
Setting a few water bowls around the house, installing a water fountain, keeping the food and water dishes away from each other, and offering wet pet food can also promote drinking.
