Keeping Kitty Hydrated

Did you know that one of the most important things that you can do for your feline friend is to keep her properly hydrated? Cats are in serious danger of overheating on those hot summer days! Fluffy does have a fur coat on, and can’t cool herself down by sweating as we do. A Dawsonville, GA vet offers some advice on this below.

Water

First and foremost, make sure your cat always has fresh H2O. If Fluffy is allowed outdoors, or if you have more than one furball, set out more than one water station.

Pet Fountain

Did you know that many cats prefer to drink running water? Get Fluffy a kitty fountain!

Wet Food

One decision you’ll need to make as a pet owner is whether to feed your kitty wet or dry food. Canned food and kibble both have their own pros and cons. One definite pro on the canned food side is the fact that wet food does have higher moisture content. It’s also a bit closer to Fluffy’s natural diet of fresh prey.

Broth

Sodium-free broth is a great summer snack for kitties. It contains electrolytes, which help with hydration. You can just pour Fluffy a small bowl on hot days. Or, mix it up a bit. Chill some in the fridge, or pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze.

Ice

Speaking of ice, you can drop an ice cube into your furry friend’s bowl on hot days. Fluffy may also appreciate having one to play ‘pawkey’ with.

Snacks

Keep moisture content in mind when picking Fluffy’s snacks. You can find kitty ice cream in stores and online. Or, just freeze some lickable cat treats. Another option is to drizzle some tuna and/or tuna juice over shaved ice. Or, mix ice, tuna, and dry kibble in a blender for your feline buddy.

Climate Control

This one technically won’t hydrate Fluffy, but it will help prevent her from dehydrating, which is always a concern in hot weather. Make sure that your cat always has access to cool areas that have fans or air conditioners going. Our feline pals are pretty good about getting comfortable, so really just giving your pet freedom to move around the house will do a lot.

As your local Dawsonville, GA animal clinic, we are here to help! Please feel free to reach out to us anytime!