How to Keep Cats That Won't Eat Hydrated

The ancestors of domestic cats ate a high protein diet, which house cats should also be fed. Cats are strictly carnivorous creatures and their digestive system has been designed to function on such diets. A number of quality hydrated cat diets exist today. These commercial diets are well-balanced, highly nutritious and have been manufactured to be palatable as well. Hydrated cat foods contain meat-based proteins, which are essential to your cat's health, while the protein in dry cat foods is typically plant-based. Dry cat food lacks the moisture, important amino acids and other essential elements of a correct diet for cats and should not be offered exclusively to cats in need of hydration.

Things You'll Need

  • Chicken flesh
  • Beef heart
  • Fish flesh
  • Eggs
  • Beet pulp
  • Cooked potatoes
  • Cranberries
  • Apples
  • Carrots
  • Sunflower oil
  • Fish oil
  • Dry cat food
  • Multivitamin
  • Clean, cool water
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Instructions

  1. Checking for Dehydration and Immediate Treatment

    • 1

      Lift and release the skin along your cat's back to check if the animal is dehydrated. In the case of a dehydrated feline, the ridge of skin will not spring back into place.

    • 2

      Confirm that your cat is dehydrated by looking in its mouth. In a dehydrated cat, the gums will be dry and its saliva will be thick.

    • 3

      Obtain an electrolyte solution from the veterinarian and draw up a small amount in a 20 cc syringe.

    • 4

      Restrain the cat and carefully squeeze the fluid into the corner of the cat's mouth. Continue to offer fluids via syringe, until the cat begins to show signs of being hydrated.

    • 5

      Seek immediate veterinary assistance if the cat's eyes have a sunken appearance or continues to show other signs of dehydration.

    • 6

      Put your cat on a hydrated/wet food diet, instead of a dry commercial diet once it has recovered sufficiently enough to eat.

    Keeping Your Cat Hydrated Through a Hydrated Diet

    • 7

      Offer your cat pieces of chicken and beef heart, which will provide valuable amino acids to build and maintain healthy tissues. Taurine is an essential amino acid found in meat but not in the plant-based foods. A deficiency of taurine causes heart problems and blindness in felines. Amino acids, arginine and essential fatty acids are also found in meat.

    • 8

      Offer fish on alternate days. Like chicken, fish will supply important protein to your cat and assist with development and maintenance of its muscles.

    • 9

      Encourage your cat to accept eggs, which represent a highly-digestible source of protein. This protein will be far healthier than the protein available from most grain sources.

    • 10

      Offer as few grain-derived products as possible. Grains can cause a rise in blood sugar in felines and soy will negatively affect the cat's thyroid gland.

    • 11

      Feed beet pulp or cooked potatoes to provide fiber, which will assist with digestion and bowel function.

    • 12

      Dice up and mix cranberries and apples with the cats chicken, meat or fish. These vitamin-rich fruits contain easily-absorbed nutrients and antioxidants

    • 13

      Grate carrots over the cat's supper, as these vegetables also contain nutrients and antioxidants

    • 14

      Pour a little sunflower or fish oil over the cat's meal. Both contain natural fat sources, which will improve the cat's skin and coat and will supply her with energy.

    • 15

      Offer a small quantity of dry cat food daily to round off the diet and to keep your cat's teeth and gums healthy.

    • 16

      Add a veterinary multivitamin to your cat's diet, as prescribed.

    • 17

      Ensure that your cat always has access to clean, cool water.