As the weather gets warmer day by day, cats are less sensitive to thirst than dogs and don't drink water as often as dogs. Therefore, it's that time of year again when cats frequently become dehydrated in the hot weather. Owners must pay attention; keeping your cat hydrated during the summer is a crucial matter. 
1. What are the symptoms of dehydration in cats?
Decreased skin elasticity, lethargy, heavy breathing, rapid heartbeat, dry gums, and sunken eyes are all symptoms that indicate a cat may be dehydrated.
When dehydration is severe, symptoms may appear such as the cat's spine being clearly visible through its fur in a ridge-like shape, and dryness of the mucous membranes in the mouth and eyes.
When a cat becomes 12%-15% dehydrated, it will go into shock, which is a very serious consequence. Therefore, if your cat shows signs of dehydration, seek veterinary care as soon as possible; do not delay treatment. The veterinarian will administer sterile fluids, either subcutaneously or intravenously, tailored to the specific needs of the cat.
2. How to prevent cats from becoming dehydrated?
Cats really don't like to drink water. So we must guide them to develop good drinking habits.
First, prepare several water bowls in different locations around the house, and make sure each bowl contains enough clean drinking water. This way, no matter where the cat is, if it sees the water bowl and remembers to drink, it will always be able to replenish its water.
If your cat is interested in flowing water, you can get them an automatic circulating water fountain. I recommend the AFP pet oxygen water fountain from Boqii Mall. It's inexpensive and can entice your cat to drink water, so they can drink while playing.
In summer, you can supplement your cat's diet with more wet food, and you can also choose foods with high water content as treats, so that your cat can absorb a lot of water with each meal.
