Just like humans, about two thirds of a cat’s body is made up of water. And like all animals, cats need a healthy amount of water to survive and to maintain their health. When living in the wild, they get some of their water from the moisture content in their food, such as prey like insects, birds, and rodents, and the rest from streams and other water sources. Your domestic cat has a very different diet, and while you may give them some wet food, most of their water is delivered in a bowl!
How much water should a cat drink?
The amount of water your cat needs depends on their size, activity level, health and diet, but ranges from 40-70 ml per kilogram of bodyweight per day. If you think your cat is not drinking enough water, there are a few ways to encourage them to drink.
Location is essential. Put a few water bowls around the house in areas with low foot traffic. Ideally, you should have one more water bowl than you have cats. Water bowls should also not be placed anywhere near the litter box. This could make your cat uncomfortable and cause them to stop eating, drinking, and using the litter box. After all, we wouldn’t want to be forced to have all our liquid refreshment in the toilet! They may not even like having the food and water bowls near each other. This is because cats in the wild have evolved to not drink near their food in case the water is soiled by the carcass of the prey.
Some cats are really particular about drinking water. Your cat may like cold water better, so drop a couple ice cubes in the bowl. If there is a tendency to tip it over, switch to a wider one with a rubber base. They may not like the taste of the water, so if using a plastic bowl, try switching to a metal, ceramic or glass bowl. You should also replace your cat’s water regularly to keep it fresh.
Some cats won’t use a bowl at all, and would rather drink straight from your tap. In the wild, cats will usually only drink moving water, as they have learned that this helps prevent them from getting sick. If you see your cat continually tipping over the water bowl and drinking the water as it spills across the floor, they’re probably more comfortable drinking moving water. Consider cat water fountains that constantly circulate the water.
You can also add more moisture to your cat’s diet. Wet food has a much higher moisture content than dry, but if dry food is preferred, you can try adding a little water to the kibbles. Some cats don’t like the texture of soaked kibbles, but if your cat does, then it’s an easy way to increase their water intake. A combination of dry food and wet food is also an option and is a good way of keeping your cat’s tastes flexible and stopping them getting hooked on wet or dry.
Whichever method you choose, it is important to encourage your cat to drink water. While many may think milk is a good substitute, it is only a myth, and can even cause digestive problems. Getting your cat to drink water is just as important as feeding the right nutrition.
Tasty Tips
Dehydration in cats
All animals concentrate their urine, but cats are descended from desert-dwelling cats, which means they can survive on smaller quantities of water than other animals. They also have a low thirst drive, so they don’t feel the need to drink water very often. If your cat is dehydrated, you may not know until a problem develops. Dehydration in cats can lead to bladder problems and urinary diseases, including kidney disease, bladder stones and feline lower urinary tract disease. Bladder stones can lead to life-threatening urethral blockages, particularly in male cats.
There are a few ways you can tell if your cat is dehydrated. One of the best tests to see if your cat is dehydrated is to gently pinch your cat’s skin and pull upward. If the skin does not return quickly to its normal position when you let go, your cat is dehydrated. The more slowly your cat’s skin ‘pings’ back, the more dehydrated they are. Also, pay attention to signs of severe dehydration: panting, depression, lack of appetite, sunken eyes, dry mouth, increased lethargy and an increased heart rate.
What if your cat is drinking a lot of water?
Although water is essential for life, changes in thirst can be one of the first signs of numerous diseases, such as kidney disease, diabetes or liver disease.
The more you know what is normal for your individual cat, the earlier you will spot if their habits change. If something has changed – for instance, you swapped from wet food to dry food – an increase in water intake is probably nothing to worry about. The amount they drink will also be affected by the weather, so expect them to need more in the warmer months. However, if you can’t think of a reasonable explanation for the change, then a noticeable increase in drinking could be a sign of a problem, especially if you notice other signs such as weight changes or appetite changes.
Basically, when it comes to thirst, changes in either direction can mean trouble. Get to know your cat. Try to have a rough idea of how often you see them drink and how that changes throughout the year. Also have an idea of how much water is usually left in the bowls when you freshen them up because you won’t always be around to see your cat drinking.
If you’re ever concerned that your cat is not drinking enough, is dehydrated, or is drinking too much water, take them to see your vet. Your vet will do a clinical exam but may also want to do some blood tests to look for possible problems. As with most things, the earlier you get help and a diagnosis, the more chance you have of getting your cat successful treatment. And of course, your vet may well put your mind at rest and assure you that all is well with your feline friend.
Reviewed by Dr. Hein Meyer, DVM, PhD, Dipl-ECVIM-CA and Dr. Emma Milne BVSc FRCVS
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