Introduction
Cats are unique creatures with unique personalities and behaviors. If you are therefore wondering can cats drink saltwater, there is nothing wrong with that. The answer is, unlike many other animals, cats can consume a certain quantity of saltwater without any problem.
Cats and water usually don’t gel as they don’t like to go near any water body. But they also need water, so they drink just enough to stay hydrated. Seeing their relationship with water may come as a surprise to most people. But they do and can consume saltwater, and they like it too.
But if your pet cat starts drinking a lot of saltwater, it is something to worry about. You must immediately seek medical help by taking it to the vet.
Do Cats Need Salt Water To Survive?
Cats can stay healthy and hydrated by drinking just freshwater. However, they can also survive with salt water for days. But your pet will likely become thirsty and dehydrated if it consumes a high amount of saltwater every day.
While they can drink and survive with saltwater, they don’t need it to survive. So, there is no need to give your cat saltwater instead of freshwater.
How Can Cats Survive On Salt Water?
Your cat can tolerate a higher salt intake than your dog for a straightforward reason. Cats’ kidneys can filter salt from the water, enabling them to keep themselves hydrated.
But just because they can tolerate higher salt intake doesn’t mean that they should drink it frequently like they do freshwater.
It can even lead to health issues later on. You must therefore see that your pet doesn’t drink it frequently.
Uses and Benefits of Salt
Salt is an essential nutrient for the body too, and it comprises sodium (40%) and chloride (60%) and the name sodium chloride.
Some forms of edible salt also contain iodine, iron, and folic acid. All these substances are necessary for the body.
Salt or sodium is primarily essential for muscle function, fluid balance, nerve health, and nutrient absorption. Lack of sodium in the body can also cause issues, just as excess sodium can.
For centuries people have also used salt to preserve food items because it prevents bacterial growth.
Which Foods Have Sodium?
Many food items contain sodium, including papaya, apple, mango, avocado, banana, and pineapple.
Among vegetables, celery, beet, bell pepper, carrot, tomato, radish, cucumber, cabbage, and broccoli contain sodium.
Most fresh meat like chicken, pork, veal, and beef have high sodium content. Most seafood, including all types of shellfish and fish content a high amount of sodium.
Besides, most processed and canned food contain high amounts of sodium. That is why health experts caution consumers to avoid processed and canned food as much as possible.
The manufacturers add a lot of salt because it preserves food for a long time. But high consumption can lead to problems. If possible, we must consume only fresh and natural food and add salt in minimum quantities.
What Are The Side Effects of Consuming too Much Salt?
Hypertension or high blood pressure: It is one of the most common issues that people with high sodium intake suffer from. The problem is not limited to a region or race but worldwide.
Surveys suggest that now even younger people suffer from hypertension. High BP can lead to stroke and heart failure, which can be fatal in some cases.
Stomach or gastric cancer: Studies suggest that sodium may be a culprit for stomach cancer. But why salt can aggravate cancer is not yet fully understood.
Kidney failure: High sodium intake may also lead to kidney failure in the long run. The kidneys filter impurities, but high sodium content can cause the kidneys to malfunction leading to complications.
While all the problems are scary, we can prevent them by just limiting salt intake. We should only consume the required amount for smooth and healthy bodily function. For instance, blood pressure drops down once we cut down on salt intake.
Does Sodium Affect Cats The Same Way?
High sodium content in your pet’s body can certainly cause problems in the future. So, you must feed your cat a high-quality diet with a sufficient quantity of salt.
When To Visit The Vet?
If your cat occasionally drinks saltwater from the pool or saltwater fish tank, there is nothing to worry about. However, if you notice it doing frequently, make an appointment with the vet. Your pet may have a mineral deficiency and need help.
Final Thoughts
Few sips or drinks of saltwater will not harm your cat. It can even survive a while and remain hydrated. But there is absolutely no need to give extra saltwater to your pet.
It will stay healthy and hydrated by just drinking fresh water. So, make sure to keep fresh water somewhere it can reach and drink whenever it feels thirsty.