Keeping Your Cat Hydrated

Karl here, with another ‘pawesome’ blog post! Summer is officially upon us! One thing that is very important for people owned by cats is keeping your pet safe from the heat. Hot weather can be rough on kitties! Fluffy doesn’t have many ways to cool off, so you’ll need to make sure she stays properly hydrated. An Ontonagon, MI vet offers some tips on this below. 

Water

First and foremost, make sure Fluffy always has clean water. If you have more than one cat, set out multiple water stations. You’ll also want to put one outside if you let your pet go outdoors. (Note: my humans recommend keeping cats inside. We’re much safer indoors!)

Fountain

Do you sometimes find your pet drinking from the faucet? Many kitties prefer to drink running water. This may be because, in the wild, standing water is more likely to be contaminated than running water. Try getting Fluffy a kitty fountain, and see if she likes it.

Broth

Sodium-free broth is a great treat for cats. It contains electrolytes, which will help prevent dehydration. Give your kitty some beef, chicken, or fish broth.

Ice Cube

Another thing you can do is give your furball an ice cube. Just don’t be surprised if your furry pal decides to bat it around rather than lick it. Since Fluffy’s paw pads help her regulate their temperature, this will still help keep your pet cool … and entertained.

Canned Food

Every pet owner must at some point decide whether to feed their kitty wet food, kibble, or both. Each option has its pros and cons. However, one advantage of canned food is that it does have a higher moisture content. 

Tuna

Want to give Fluffy a special snack? Offer her a can of plain tuna, chicken, or crabmeat in water. 

Cold Treats

Who says cats can’t enjoy cold treats? Some kitties will appreciate a summer snack. You can freeze sodium-free broth in ice cube trays for Fluffy. Or, mix canned tuna in water with plain, fat-free yogurt and a bit of parsley. Divide into small servings, and freeze. Another option is to take some canned food that has a lot of gravy. Add water or broth to thin it out, and then freeze that. 

Please contact us, your local Ontonagon, MI vet clinic, for all of your pet’s veterinary care needs. We’re here to help!