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Is Pedialyte safe for my sick, dehydrated kitten? How much to give?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Female | spayed | 7 lbs

I am fostering a sick very small kitten about 3 weeks old. She is dehydrated and not eating a ton. She is on antibiotics doxycycline but I think the dehydration is making her congestion worse. What I'd like to know is is it safe for me to orally give her pedialyte yo help replace her electrolytes? If so, how much and how often is it safe to give? She weighs 7.2 oz

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Kevin Sanada, DVM

Answered By Kevin Sanada, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on April 19th, 2018

Yes, pedialyte is safe to give to kittens. You can offer this 3-4 times a day. Let her drink as much as she wants and then offer her plenty of fresh clean water. Alternatively, you can mix oral rehydration salts in water as directed by the manufacturer and give this free-choice along with fresh water.

Ideally, you should consult your vet if she is having problems. Doxycycline can cause damage to the esophagus and stomach, which will decrease her appetite. In these cases we usually advise to stop the doxycycline and switch the antibiotic.

You can help the congestion by giving him a steam bath. There is a link below that has good information about how to do this and other helpful tips for this condition.

http://www.wikihow.com/Help-Your-Cat-Breathe-Easier

It's best if you can get her to a vet within the next day. While these infections are often due to a virus, they can become complicated with bacterial infections, which will make things much worse. The vet would be able to prescribe the necessary treatment to make her feel better and keep the infection from getting worse.

I hope this helps and she feels better soon.
Vote Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on July 2nd, 2018

    Yes is relatively safe but keep in mind that it is an emergency measure to prevent potentially fatal dehydration. Visit the vet as soon as possible to get him checked .
    Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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