Signs & Symptoms of Cat Dehydration
Dehydration, or hypohydration, is a serious condition in which your cat's water and electrolyte levels fall below normal. Your cat is about 60 percent water. If his water and electrolyte volume falls even 5 percent below normal, he will become dehydrated. Typically, dehydration occurs due to a decrease in food and water intake, or a loss of bodily water volume due to illness or injury. If you suspect your cat is dehydrated, take him to your veterinarian immediately. If not treated, dehydration could be fatal.
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Depression
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Dehydration will cause your cat to feel tired and listless. If you notice that she is sleeping a lot, has less-than-normal energy or is uninterested in her usual activities, she may be dehydrated.
Loss of Skin Elasticity
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Perform the turgor test for skin elasticity: Gently grasp the skin at the base of your cat's neck and pull it up. If it springs back quickly, he is hydrated; if it is slow to retract, your cat is dehydrated.
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Slow Capillary Refill
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Press your finger against your cat's gums. When you remove your finger, you will see a white spot where your finger was. In healthy cats, the pink will return in 1 to 2 seconds; any longer and your cat may be dehydrated.
Sunken Eyes
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A lack of sufficient hydration will cause your cat's eyes to appear dull and sunken.
Dry Mouth
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Dehydration will cause your cat's gums to feel dry and sticky, rather than slick and moist, and his saliva will have a thick consistency.
Rapid Heartbeat
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Dehydration could cause a increase in your cat's heart rate (normal rate is typically 110 to 140 beats per minute). To monitor your cat's heart rate, lay her on her right side, bend her left front elbow by pressing back against her paw and gently lay your hand on her chest behind her left elbow.
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