The Differences Between Kidney Failure & Dehydration in Cats

Water is essential to the lives of nearly all living things, cats included. It helps keep the body hydrated, replaces lost fluids and balances the levels of minerals in the body. The kidneys use water to help flush wastes and toxins filtered from the bloodstream through the production of urine. If your cat is having difficulty urinating, the problem could be external, such as not drinking enough, or internal in the form of kidney failure.

  1. Cause

    • Kidney failure is also known as chronic renal failure and can develop due to blockage in the urinary tract, abdomen trauma or poisoning. It also can be due to a medical condition such as feline leukemia or hyperthyroidism.

      Dehydration can occur when a cat becomes overheated or experiences intense episodes of vomiting or diarrhea. Medical conditions such as poorly managed diabetes and cancer can leave a cat vulnerable to becoming dehydrated, as can kidney disease and hyperthyroidism.

    Water Intake

    • A cat experiencing kidney failure cannot retain water properly and visits the litter box more often than normal. This additional urinating translates to an increase in water consumption to replace the lost fluid.

      A dehydrated cat may not visit the water bowl as often as is necessary to keep fluid levels balanced within the body.

    Prevention

    • Most instances of kidney failure cannot be prevented, such as those caused by medical conditions. Keeping your cat away from poisons such as antifreeze can help prevent serious illness.

      Dehydration can be avoided by providing your cat fresh water at all times. Multiple bowls may be necessary to encourage your cat to drink throughout the day.