The truth is that medical studies identifying how long a cat can go without water before it dies from thirst are non-existent. Simply put, it is morally wrong to run an experiment where you kill a bunch of cats by depriving them of water just to see how long it takes! In humans, we know from misfortune how long we can
survive without water before dying from thirst. Plenty of unlucky desert travelers have run short of water and left harrowing memoirs of their last days before their diaries end four days after their water dries up. Most of our insight regarding cats’ ability to go without water is anecdotal. From the cat that got trapped in the cellar to the cat that
got locked in by accident, in such cases it is thought that three days is the most a cat can go without water. What we
do know is that dehydration is the real danger and can kick in within 24 hours. There are plenty of real-world examples of cats suffering severe dehydration and sustaining permanent organ damage as a result within 24 – 48 hours. For many cats, a loss of 20% of their body weight from dehydration is the extreme limit before organ damage occurs (1). On the whole, your average cat with free access to water and eating a wet diet is unlikely to suffer this type of extreme dehydration. Even a cat on a dry diet with access to water is unlikely to get a case of dehydration. Other than trapped cats, it is sick and/or elderly cats that may suffer from dehydration. Sick cats that are vomiting and/or suffering from diarrhea can quickly become dangerously dehydrated losing vital electrolytes and water in hours. For these cats, veterinary attention is vital. They may quickly need IV fluids and medications to inhibit diarrhea or vomiting to avoid their situation spiraling. Elderly cats that may have underlying health conditions that arise with age such as hyperthyroidism or kidney damage can be prone to dehydration. They need monitoring and feeding correctly with good access to water to keep them in good shape. If you identify them as being dehydrated then a visit to the vet is in order. How Do I Identify Dehydration In My Cat?
Skin tenting is not the only symptom of dehydration. If you are unsure you can cross-check your results by checking your cat for dry gums, panting and general lethargy. If you are seeing these signs, chances are your cat is dehydrated. Other signs of concern that sometimes accompany dehydration include lack of appetite, sunken eyes, diarrhea, vomiting or excessive urination. Your cat may be dehydrated without exhibiting these symptoms but if these symptoms are present you can be sure your cat is dehydrated and needs medical care. Cases of moderate and extreme dehydration will usually require hospitalization of your pet whilst your cat is rehydrated by IV fluids and the cause of the dehydration identified and treated. What Can I Do To Boost My Cats Water Intake?
Put your cat on a wet food diet
Try A Water Fountain
Move water away from eating areas.
Use Multiple Water Bowls
Use a small water bowl.
Try Filtered Water Or Rainwater
Clean water bowls regularly.
You can check out how long a cat can go without eating here… photos : http://www.learningvideo.com/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/toastal/39537957644 How often do kittens need water?Put fresh water in her bowl one to two times a day.
Can a kitten go all night without water?Generally speaking, you don't want to take your cat's water away at night. Cats need access to water at all times, even though they can technically go without water for three days.
How long can kittens go without food or water?However, without protein, it may be more like three to four days, even if they have enough water. With no water or food, it is unlikely that a cat would survive longer than three days.
What happens if kittens don't drink water?It is important to contact your vet right away if you believe that your cat isn't drinking enough water. While it may be possible that your cat is simply not drinking enough, dehydration can also be an indication of a serious underlying condition such as kidney disease, heatstroke, or diabetes.
|