What do cats eyes look like when they are dehydrated?

Dehydration is a problem that can affect almost any cat, but it can be hard to spot. Unless you’re monitoring your cat all day to see how much water they drink, you might miss that they’re low on fluids. Even then, undiagnosed infections or diseases can lead to dehydration, no matter how much water your cat laps up.

Cat dehydration can cause a litany of problems for your furry friend, including increased heart rate, urinary stones and more. While there are plenty of ways to treat dehydration, it’s better to stop the problem from occurring in the first place, or at least catch it as soon as you can.

If you’re worried about your cat’s health, it’s important to be observant. Watch for changes in their behavior, in addition to these six major signs of dehydration.

1. Loss of appetite

There are many reasons your cat might be eating less. They might have eaten too many treats throughout the day or not gotten enough exercise. However, the cause could be something more serious like dehydration. If your cat is refusing to eat, you might want to try giving them canned food, which is typically more enticing and can help with the dehydration.

2. Little to no energy

Cats tend to lose energy as they get older, but if you notice a drastic change in their energy levels from one day to the next, they might be dehydrated. Without water, your cat’s organs have to work that much harder to function properly, meaning the body has less energy to play or move. Reduced energy levels can also occur with a number of other kitty ailments, including hyperthyroidism, kidney disease and diabetes (many of which also cause dehydration!).

3. Changes in their eyes

There are several physical changes that a cat might experience when they are dehydrated. Check your cat’s eyes and see if they appear sunken, dry or dull. If a cat is dehydrated, they might also have trouble focusing their eyes.

4. Skin tenting

Dehydration can also affect your kitty’s skin. When the skin is well-hydrated, it is flexible and capable of snapping back into place. When it’s not, it can take a while to return. In severe cases, the skin of dehydrated cats will stay up in a “tent” shape when pulled. Pinch a loose section of skin near your cat’s shoulders and pull it away from their body, then release. If the skin tents, your cat needs fluids immediately.

5. Constipation

Cats who drink less will use the litter box less frequently. Without enough water, your cat’s poop can harden in their colon, causing constipation. Check your cat’s litter box from time to time to see if they’ve urinated or defecated. If your cat hasn’t gone to the bathroom within a day or two, then they might be dehydrated.

6. Dry gums

Dry and sticky gums are another thing to check for if you’re worried that your cat is dehydrated. Cats’ gums should always be moist and slippery and have a light pink color. To check your cat’s gums, slide your finger along their gum tissue and see if it feels wet. If their gums are dry and a bit tacky, then it might be time for a vet visit.

How to help a dehydrated cat

If your cat is experiencing symptoms of dehydration, then there are several things you can do to make them feel better. The best thing to do, of course, would be to visit your pet’s veterinarian.

Depending on the severity of your pet’s symptoms, your vet might administer fluids to your kitty either subcutaneously (under the skin) or intravenously. If the problem persists, your vet might recommend running a few tests to determine the underlying cause of your kitty’s dehydration and solve the problem at its source.

Preventing dehydration in cats

There are many ways you can keep your cat from getting dehydrated at home. If your cat is water-averse, the solution might be as simple as switching to a wet food product instead of dry food. If your cat is used to dry food, you could add a bit of warm water to their kibble. You can also entice your cat to drink more by adding tuna juice or chicken broth to their water, or by using a water fountain instead of a standard water bowl.

Unfortunately, dehydration isn’t always preventable. If your cat has a fever from an infection, they might get dehydrated without you realizing. If they have an underlying condition like diabetes, dehydration might just be an unfortunate side effect.

Regardless of the cause, dehydration in your cat is something that should never be ignored. It could cause serious issues down the line for your furry friend and is detrimental to their overall quality of life. Paying attention to the signs of dehydration and getting prompt care will ensure that your kitty lives a long and healthy life.

Enophthalmos, which is colloquially referred to as “sunken eyeball,” is a condition in which a cat’s eyeball sinks deeper than normal into the orbit, or eye socket. It can occur in one or both eyes. This can be a congenital condition from birth, it can occur gradually as the result of a disease, or it can happen suddenly as a result of trauma. Depending upon the underlying cause, enophthalmos in cats can occur because of a change in the bone of the eye socket, a change in the volume of the eyeball, or the atrophy, or weakening, of the orbital muscles that hold the eyeball in place. The condition can appear as a drooping eyelid or as a small eyeball. If you suspect that your cat may suffer from enophthalmos, contact your veterinarian immediately as your cat’s vision is likely affected and it may be a sign of a serious or even life-threatening condition.

Cats are pros at masking pain. If it’s not something obvious like a broken leg or battle wound, it can be tough to tell when our feline friends aren’t feeling right. Dehydration is an issue that’s tough to detect, yet it can pose a serious problem. So it’s important to know what to look for and when to talk to a vet.

What Is Dehydration?

Put simply, dehydration happens when the body lacks sufficient fluids to carry out basic functions. Just like humans, cats can experience it in hot weather, after a period of diarrhea or vomiting, through disorders like diabetes or kidney disease, or in the aftermath of traumatic events.

Unlike humans and other animals, cats aren’t programmed with a strong urge to drink water, even when they need it. Being naturally carnivorous, their bodies are conditioned to absorb moisture directly from their food. It’s likely they won’t bother looking for water if it’s not readily on hand and clean. If they reach the point of dehydration, it’s even tougher to get them to drink.

Signs of Dehydration

Outdoor cats are more likely to become dehydrated than indoor cats. Usually this is because water is tougher to come by if someone isn’t providing it for them. Cats who are on a dry food only diet are also more prone. Thankfully, there are several ways to watch for potential dehydration.

Skin Test

You’ve probably seen your vet do this once or twice, and it’s the easiest way to check for dehydration. Cats with sufficient fluid in their bodies will have supple and elastic skin. If you suspect your kitty hasn’t been drinking enough water, gently pinch the scruff of her neck into a tent shape. After you let go, the skin should snap back into position almost immediately. If it doesn’t, she’s likely a bit dehydrated.

Gum Check

If your cat doesn’t mind having you check her mouth, take a look at her gums. They should always be moist and pink if her fluid levels are good. After pressing gently on the gum, the white spot left by your finger should almost immediately turn pink again. If not, the issue might be that your cat is dehydrated.

Eye Test

It’s pretty easy to tell the difference between a healthy cat’s eyes and those of a dehydrated one. Watch for eyes that lack focus or that are dull or sunken. If you’re not sure, err on the side of caution and talk to your vet.

Watch the Litter Box

Dehydration often leads to constipation, so certain changes in your cat’s bathroom habits can indicate a problem. Is she using the box less often? Are her poops hard, small, and look almost like rabbit pellets? If you notice either of these or are simply seeing less wet litter than what is normal for your cat, she may be dehydrated.

Other Signs of Dehydration

Though less specific to dehydration, other symptoms such as hiding, lethargy, or an altered heart rate are red flags that your cat isn’t feeling well. Once your pet starts feeling sick, he’s less likely to look to you for help; always make note of behavioral changes and take action if you have any concerns.

When To Visit the Vet

Dehydration doesn’t always warrant an emergency vet run, but the sooner you can recognize it, the easier it is to fix it. If you don’t see any obvious indication of stress such as seizures or vomiting, you can try simply offering your cat fresh, clean water.

If dehydration appears severe or you suspect an underlying health issue is causing it, then it’s time to see a vet. Sometimes the only way to treat your cat is through IVs or subcutaneous fluids injected under the skin. Dehydration can become serious in a very short time, so consider going to an emergency clinic if your regular vet isn’t available.

Causes and Prevention of Dehydration

Many times, dehydration occurs simply because your cat forgets to drink, and it only happens a few times throughout his life. But if it’s a frequent occurrence, you’ll need to figure out what’s causing it in order to correct it.

The fix can be as simple as changing the location of the water dish. Some cats won’t drink too close to their food bowls because of cross-contamination, and many won’t touch water if it’s too close to the litter box. So you’ll need to find a place where they will drink from the dish. This may require some trial and error, since every cat is different and some are extremely picky. Once you find the ideal place, leave the dish there and check it throughout the day to make sure your kitty is using it.

Other cats prefer moving water. If yours is always licking at the tap or playing in the sink, consider buying a motorized, filtered water dispenser or two. Some just don’t want or like to drink water, in which case switching to moist canned food (or at least supplementing their dry food diet with it) is a simple fix.

Other Considerations

That said, any number of things could lead to your cat refusing to drink water. Stress is a common trigger and can be brought on by virtually anything (moving to a new home, adding another pet, a new baby, a stray cat appeared outside, etc). If you suspect stress as the cause, talk to your vet for tips on how to correct it. He or she may be able to direct you to a trained cat behaviorist who specializes in pinpointing stressors and correcting problematic behaviors.

Likewise, there are several health problems that can lead to frequent or severe dehydration. In this case, your best bet is to consult your veterinarian. Ruling out health issues should be your first step, so if there is a problem, you can treat it as soon as possible. If there are none, you can move on to other fixes until you find the one that works.

If your cat isn’t feeling well, contact us to schedule an appointment. We’ll address your concerns and recommend the best treatment for your furry friend.