Keeping Cat Hydrated

colli

hello, I was hoping you wise people could give me some advice on keeping my cat hydrated. We had to take him to the vet last week as he was very lethargic and off his food (he'd been sick a couple of times in the week or so before but had seemed to be getting better). The vet diagnosed gastroenteritits (sp?) and said he was deydrated and put him on a drip for 24 hours. This was Tuesday. Since then he's got his appetite back and seems back to his normal (very!) lively self. However, I'm worried that he doesn't seem to be drinking very much and has only done one "number 2" since Weds. I've been feeding him tinned tuna with plenty of water added to the bowl so he is getting some fluids but is it enough? Has anyone tried a cat fountain?

Any advice, is it worth another trip to the vet? They said only to take him back in for a check up if he was still ill but he *seems* ok! thanks!

925dancer

First of all, stop feeding tuna exclusively, it should only be fed as an occasional treat. If it's in brine then you are probably giving him too much salt too.

Adding water to wet food however is the best way to get reluctant drinkers to take in more fluid.

Keep water bowls away from food and toileting areas, mine never drank from a bowl on the floor, no matter where I put, give them a dish next to the sink and they're never away from it!

Give him another couple of days and if he's still not going then you can get a kitty laxative to add to his food from the vet.

puppypants

If he's been vomitting and off his food for a while, there won't be as much to come out IYSWIM!!
Give him a few days of eating normally before even thinking of giving him a laxative. You might give him diarrhoea which will make him dehydrated again. Square one!!

colli

Thanks very much for the advice. Kitty's "been" now and is back to chasing me round the house so all back to normal!

juliebunny

Great news, glad I only found this thread for the happy ending!
btw, I have given my cats glucose water in the past aswell when they've been poorly and even syringed it gently in the side of their mouth for serious cases.

spike7451

Hope puss id feeling better.Ironically,my Daisy will not drink any water at all! I've tried everything,but nope,I've never seen her drink.