It's hot and the cat isn't drinking enough

Viljaana · 07-01-2011, 05:20 AM

The summer heats are here again. I live in very cool climate and we don't have ac. I know both cats and people can survive far more hotter climates than ours, but for for us used to the cool, it way too hot in here. The temperature in our house has changed from 20C (c. 68F) to 30C (c. 86F), and I'm cuite worried for our cat.
He's a healthy 5-year-old boy (fixed) and I'm quite sure he isn't drinking enough. This is the second heat this year and at both times his litter box has started to smell heavily of ammonia. That, as I hear, is a sight of dehydration. Normaly his litter box is odourless.

We have tried our very best to cool him and to encourage he to drink. He refused to eat any wet food (we have tried every brand, raw, cooked etc.). We have peted him with wet hands. He get's pretty soaked before he notice our cunning plan

, but it's not helping much.

Do you have any advice? Should I force him to drink with a syringe (I'm desperate enough to think that too)?

littlesushi · 07-01-2011, 07:01 PM

do you have a pet fountain? i hear running water is more appealing to cats that still water in a bowl. good luck! it's rough when you know that your cat might not be taking the best care of himself

i am having that issue too but with food but i may be dealing with picky eaters!

scottd · 07-01-2011, 09:02 PM

My cat loves the bathtub and sinks. Turn on a slow stream or drip and he may go play in it and drink from it.

If you think he's dehydrated then I would use the syringe method.

**doodlebug** · 07-01-2011, 10:25 PM

While a cat may not drink enough to keep themselves fully hydrated, they're not going to allow themselves to become dehydrated enough to collapse (assuming water is available). Unless there is already a medical condition (e.g. CRF, crystals etc.) that would be exacerbated by lack of fluid, a few warm days with less than optimal hydration is not life threatening.

That said...there are two easy ways to test for proper hydration. First is to check the gums....they should be wet looking and slimy. If they're sticky then the cat isn't hydrated enough. Second is to pull up on the scruff and let the skin go. If it quickly settles back into place, all is well. If it remains "tented" then the cat is dehydrated.

Also, warm humid weather "enhance" the smell of the litterbox, even if the cat is consuming the same amount of fluid. The ammonia smell is created by bacteria combining with the urea in the urine. The longer it sits, the stinkier it gets. Throw in heat and humidity and the chemical process progresses even faster to create the ammonia smell.

MinkaMuffin · 07-01-2011, 11:39 PM

What doodlebug said + Do you want advice on how to get him to eat wet? That will greatly help with hydration and we can definitely give advice for that.

Mom of 4 · 07-02-2011, 12:16 AM

We had highs in 80s during January (which we enjoyed), but the 100+ degree days are miserable now. We have central AC, but hate the 600/mo it costs to run in the Summer. So we use ceiling fans and box fans to keep the air moving. Neither cost much to run. The box fan has small vent openings, so they are cat safe.

Back in the day (when I was growing up), few people had AC. The heat caused a decrease in appetite and being overweight was not as common. There you have it - AC has caused me to be fat!

**marie73** · 07-02-2011, 12:36 AM

Our first heat wave of the year will be fully here tomorrow, maybe 95-100 by the 4th. Ugh. No a/c here, either.

I really shouldn't complain, last summer was the coldest on record for the past 95 years, it was wonderful.

My girls hang out on the kitchen floor a lot when it's hot. Too bad they can't slip their beautiful coats off for a while.

Viljaana · 07-14-2011, 04:31 AM

A thunder storm came and and took the heat with it - at last. Before that I used the syringe to force the cat to drink. I thinki that helped - the smell of ammonia dissapeared.

Our vet said that a clear bowl might encourage him to drink. I'm also thinking about the fountain. But his such a picky eater too that I'm affraid he won't like that either.

MowMow · 07-14-2011, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viljaana

I'm also thinking about the fountain. But his such a picky eater too that I'm affraid he won't like that either.

I bet he'd like it much better than being force fed water.

praline · 07-15-2011, 04:25 AM

Do you feed canned or dry food? If you feed canned, can you add warm water to it and mix it up really good?

Here is something I am doing with my Bentley's food (he is a dog on a diet)
I have a magic Bullet ~ BTW best kitchen item EVER ~ I grind up his dry wellness core. I then add carrots and green beans (fresh) and grind those in my magic bullet. I then add warm water to the ground (to a powder) dry food with the carrots and beans.. it makes a big sloppy stew and he LOVES it.
It is really helping his diet, adding the carrots and beans and lots of water to fill him up. I was only suggesting that if you fed dry as a quick fix rather then forcing him to drink. The warm water makes a nice gravy lol

07-01-2011, 05:20 AM	#1 (permalink)
Viljaana Jr. Cat Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Finland, North Europe Posts: 61	It's hot and the cat isn't drinking enough The summer heats are here again. I live in very cool climate and we don't have ac. I know both cats and people can survive far more hotter climates than ours, but for for us used to the cool, it way too hot in here. The temperature in our house has changed from 20C (c. 68F) to 30C (c. 86F), and I'm cuite worried for our cat. He's a healthy 5-year-old boy (fixed) and I'm quite sure he isn't drinking enough. This is the second heat this year and at both times his litter box has started to smell heavily of ammonia. That, as I hear, is a sight of dehydration. Normaly his litter box is odourless. We have tried our very best to cool him and to encourage he to drink. He refused to eat any wet food (we have tried every brand, raw, cooked etc.). We have peted him with wet hands. He get's pretty soaked before he notice our cunning plan, but it's not helping much. Do you have any advice? Should I force him to drink with a syringe (I'm desperate enough to think that too)?

07-01-2011, 10:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
doodlebug Super Moderator Join Date: May 2006 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 17,702	While a cat may not drink enough to keep themselves fully hydrated, they're not going to allow themselves to become dehydrated enough to collapse (assuming water is available). Unless there is already a medical condition (e.g. CRF, crystals etc.) that would be exacerbated by lack of fluid, a few warm days with less than optimal hydration is not life threatening. That said...there are two easy ways to test for proper hydration. First is to check the gums....they should be wet looking and slimy. If they're sticky then the cat isn't hydrated enough. Second is to pull up on the scruff and let the skin go. If it quickly settles back into place, all is well. If it remains "tented" then the cat is dehydrated. Also, warm humid weather "enhance" the smell of the litterbox, even if the cat is consuming the same amount of fluid. The ammonia smell is created by bacteria combining with the urea in the urine. The longer it sits, the stinkier it gets. Throw in heat and humidity and the chemical process progresses even faster to create the ammonia smell. __________________ Onyx & Callie May forever in my heart.

07-01-2011, 11:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
MinkaMuffin Cool Cat Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 1,090	What doodlebug said + Do you want advice on how to get him to eat wet? That will greatly help with hydration and we can definitely give advice for that. __________________ The dog may be wonderful prose, but only the cat is poetry. - French Proverb

07-02-2011, 12:16 AM	#6 (permalink)
Mom of 4 Cool Cat Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,370	We had highs in 80s during January (which we enjoyed), but the 100+ degree days are miserable now. We have central AC, but hate the 600/mo it costs to run in the Summer. So we use ceiling fans and box fans to keep the air moving. Neither cost much to run. The box fan has small vent openings, so they are cat safe. Back in the day (when I was growing up), few people had AC. The heat caused a decrease in appetite and being overweight was not as common. There you have it - AC has caused me to be fat! __________________ Mom of Skin kids - Jason, Kevin, Allison Canine kids - Bennett (always in our hearts), Bailey, Riley and Banker Feline kids - Zoey, Talley ____________________________ Marsha

07-02-2011, 12:36 AM	#7 (permalink)
marie73 Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 27,447	Our first heat wave of the year will be fully here tomorrow, maybe 95-100 by the 4th. Ugh. No a/c here, either. I really shouldn't complain, last summer was the coldest on record for the past 95 years, it was wonderful. My girls hang out on the kitchen floor a lot when it's hot. Too bad they can't slip their beautiful coats off for a while. __________________ Marie, and Always in my heart, my lovely Cinderella, running free at the Bridge. http://www.catforum.com/forum/member...signature2.jpg

07-01-2011, 07:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
littlesushi Tom Cat Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 518	do you have a pet fountain? i hear running water is more appealing to cats that still water in a bowl. good luck! it's rough when you know that your cat might not be taking the best care of himself i am having that issue too but with food but i may be dealing with picky eaters!

07-01-2011, 09:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
scottd Cat Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 181	My cat loves the bathtub and sinks. Turn on a slow stream or drip and he may go play in it and drink from it. If you think he's dehydrated then I would use the syringe method.

07-14-2011, 04:31 AM	#8 (permalink)
Viljaana Jr. Cat Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Finland, North Europe Posts: 61	A thunder storm came and and took the heat with it - at last. Before that I used the syringe to force the cat to drink. I thinki that helped - the smell of ammonia dissapeared. Our vet said that a clear bowl might encourage him to drink. I'm also thinking about the fountain. But his such a picky eater too that I'm affraid he won't like that either.

07-15-2011, 04:25 AM	#10 (permalink)
praline Cat Addict Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,587	Do you feed canned or dry food? If you feed canned, can you add warm water to it and mix it up really good? Here is something I am doing with my Bentley's food (he is a dog on a diet) I have a magic Bullet ~ BTW best kitchen item EVER ~ I grind up his dry wellness core. I then add carrots and green beans (fresh) and grind those in my magic bullet. I then add warm water to the ground (to a powder) dry food with the carrots and beans.. it makes a big sloppy stew and he LOVES it. It is really helping his diet, adding the carrots and beans and lots of water to fill him up. I was only suggesting that if you fed dry as a quick fix rather then forcing him to drink. The warm water makes a nice gravy lol

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