What happens when a cat is dehydrated?
Depends on why it got dehydrated in the first place, and how dehydrated it is. If it was trapped somewhere without water for 24 hours, and is otherwise healthy, it could probably drink enough water over the next 1-2 days to correct the problem itself. However, if there is an illness that is causing the dehydration, or it is more than 5% dehydrated, it needs medical care. Vomiting will not allow the cat to drink enough to replace what it has lost, and it will continue to lose. The dehydration itself will cause similar things as it does in people, like nausea, lethargy, muscle pain, headaches, and will worsen any illness that has caused it. In severe cases, it can cause kidney failure and death. Check with your vet if your cat is ill, and find out what is best. Good luck!
