Encouraging Your Cat To Drink More Water
Have you noticed that cats like to drink from strange places? You might give them a bowl of fresh clean water every day, but they still like to drink from the shower or the base of a pot plant. Why is this? And how do you ensure that a cat drinks enough water?
Cats don’t drink a lot of water by nature. They are descendants of desert-dwelling felines that would have been able to withstand drought quite well. As such, cats should be able to get their moisture from their food. It is vital for cats not to become dehydrated in order to prevent bladder and kidney problems. Bladder grit and urinary tract problems are painful and potentially fatal for a cat. Drinking water is therefore essential for your cat to remain happy and healthy.
Note that if you are a cat sitter and suspect a cat might be having difficulty urinating during a cat sitting booking, always contact the vet.
How To Get A Cat To Drink Water
There are several tips and tricks you can try to get your cat to drink more water or increase their water intake. However, if these tips dont work, remember to consult your vet if the cat does not drink for 48-72 hours.
For more information and inspiration about getting a cat to drink water, check out the video below. And dont forget to monitor your cats daily activity with a Tractive GPS Cat Tracker!
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Creative Ways To Encourage Your Cat To Drink More Water
1 in 3 cats will experience kidney problems in their lifetimes. Many cat lovers have already had to deal with this issue at one time or another, and may already be aware that dehydration worsens kidney disease. With that in mind, here are 7 great ways to encourage your cat to drink more water.
1. Place water bowls EVERYWHERE
Location, location, locationit really matters! Youd be amazed to learn how sensitive most cats are to the positioning of a water bowl. Even a little unexpected foot-traffic can be enough to keep your cat from having that next drink. Keep fresh water bowls in multiple spots to maximize your felines comfort.
2. Consider feeding your cat wet food
You should talk over any diet change with your veterinarian, but wet food can be a great way to introduce more liquid to your cat. It is always more important that a cat eats, than eats what we want, and it is surprising that not every cat likes wet food, especially as their only diet. So, keep your cats preferences in mind and make sure he eats enough of his new diet to maintain his energy level and weight.
3. Add water or flavor to your cats food
Consider adding water or a low sodium chicken broth to canned food or get creative and discuss other flavor options with your veterinarian. You want to find something thats healthy and appealing to your cat. Remember, each cat is an individual, and even the texture of food can make a difference.
4. Add flavor to your cats water
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Switch To A Cat Water Fountain
If water bowls arent working, you might consider switching to a cat water fountain. Cats like running water, and so many show a preference for fountains over regular bowls. This again links back to survival in the wild running water is less likely to be contaminated, so drinking this is a safer option when compared to a stagnant pond or puddle.
Cat water fountains have become hugely popular and there are hundreds of different products you can choose from on the market. I think that cordless cat water fountains are best. You can place these anywhere in your home and you need not worry about the cords acting as a hazard. However, AC-powered fountains are another option if you prefer.
Always consider your cats personality when choosing a fountain too. Some water fountains are more violent and noisy than others, which will likely scare off timid cats. On the other hand, more outgoing felines might love the excitement these fountains bring. Have a shop around and find a fountain that suits you and your cat.
Give Your Cat Options
Every cat has their own preferences and tendencies, so it might be beneficial to learn what your cat likes best. One way to start is by trying out different bowls. For example, an easy-to-access elevated dish can be especially great for elderly kitties. Or, an angled, low-splash bowl that doesnt tickle your cats whiskers could be another option to try.
Some cats also refuse to drink out of certain types of bowls altogether or even have an allergy to their water or food bowl. Others will always prefer a good old-fashioned water glass made for humans. If you find that to be true for your kitty, leave a few around the house for them to nurse.
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Why Isnt Your Cat Drinking Water
There are many reasons why cats might not want to drink water in the first place.
Cats by nature dont drink that much water. Domesticated cats are often descended from desert-dwelling wild cats who didnt have much access to water. And due to this, dont require water as much as other animals. Wild cats actually get most of their water intake from the prey they catch.
However, many domesticated cats dont live off of fresh catch. Instead, most consume a primarily dry diet in the form of kibble. Now, there are a bunch of great reasons for this such as maintaining proper oral hygiene and proper nutrition balance but its severely lacking in water content.
Cats also are extremely particular about where their water comes from. Just as we dont like to eat in our bathrooms, neither do cats. If their food bowls are anywhere near their litter, theres a good chance that your cat will consider that water contaminated.
Also, your cat could just be super-finicky about their bowl, water source, or any other variable. As you know, cats are extremely picky when it comes to just about everything. But dont worry, just try out these simple tips to get your cat drinking more water.
Introduce Wet Food Into Your Cats Diet
Water isnt the only way to keep your cat hydrated! Earlier we mentioned that cats have the habit of obtaining their liquids from food sources. Dry cat food typically contains only about 10% water whereas canned cat food has around 78% water. If your cat has been living on a generally dry cat food diet, why not switch it up a little and incorporate some wet foods into its meals?
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Add Water To Your Cats Wet Food
This trick is used by many feral cat colony guardians during the winter months to ensure that the cats get plenty of water before it freezes.
With just a few simple steps, you can encourage your cat to drink more waterand, in the process, have more fun doing so!
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Switch To A Mostly Wet
Canned food simply has more moisture. According to my vet, this is the easiest way to get your cat to drink more water and avoid a dehydrated cat.
If your cat wont eat wet food, add water or broth to dry food and see if hell eat that. If your cat digs canned food, add water or broth to it to make it even wetter. Some cats love the soupy consistency this creates.
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How Can I Hydrate A Cat That Won’t Drink Water
If you are concerned that your cat isn’t drinking enough water, but they are not showing any of the symptoms above there are a few things you can try to increase your cat’s water consumption.
- Ensure that your cat’s water bowl is not near their litter box. If it is, move it to a better spot in the room or a different room altogether.
- Provide fresh water daily. Many cats will not drink water that has been sitting for an extended period of time.
- Try moving the bowl to a different location .
- Try a different bowl or a bowl that provides running water for cats to enjoy.
- If your cat eats dry food switch to canned.
Signs Of Dehydration In Cats
If your cat is not drinking enough water to meet their daily needs, they may become dehydrated. This can lead to issues in the cats energy, organ and skin health. Dehydration is caused by drinking too little water or urinating at a faster rate than they consume water, or by more serious factors such as blood loss, vomiting, heat stroke, diabetes, and kidney disease2.
Symptoms of dehydration include:
- increased heart rate
Be sure to take your cat to the vet as soon as possible if you notice any of these symptoms your cat may be dangerously low on electrolytes.
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Fill The Bowl To The Top
Another easy fix is to fill your cats water bowl to the top. Many cats suffer from something called whisker fatigue. These cats whiskers are extremely sensitive, and when they touch the edge of a bowl it can cause a sensory overload to their brains. This can be extremely stressful and can put cats off eating and drinking.
Filling the bowl right to the brim means their whiskers wont press against the side each time they drink. Instead, they can hover their faces above the bowl and lap up the water with their tongue. No touching whiskers, no sensory overload, and nothing to deter your cat from drinking.
If you are going to use this trick, opt for spill-proof cat water bowls so your kitty doesnt make a mess. Another alternative is to swap to a saucer of a special whisker fatigue bowl. These are wide, shallow dishes that have plenty of space to fit your cats face and its whiskers inside. You wont need to fill these bowls to the top, so you wont need to worry about spillages as much.
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Place Water Bowls At Small Distance
Your priority should be keeping your furry friend healthy and happy as a pet owner. For that, you should be making sure that your cat drinks the right amount of water as required.
Once you place water bowls at short distances within and outside your house, they can drink anytime they want.
For instance, your cat can sprint from here and there during playtime and drink water from the bowls.
This frequent placement of the bowls makes it easy for your fur friends, and even you can be at peace. So from now, leave out some water bowls around, and it will entice your cat to drink more water.
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Does My Cat Have Access To An Appropriate Water Bowl
When they put their face into their water bowl to drink, their whiskers could graze the side of the bowl and it could cause discomfort,Patrick Mahaney, VMD, a holistic veterinarian in Los Angeles explains. Look for a wide bowl that doesnt brush up against the whiskers. Or, for kitties that want a more tantalizing water source, consider a trickling fountain.
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How Can I Prevent Dehydration In My Cat
There are a few ways that you can help prevent dehydration in your cat. Some options include:
- Clean out and provide fresh water in water bowls every day.
- Provide multiple clean water sources around your house for the cat to drink from.
- Try giving your cat an electrolyte supplement or meat-flavored water from a trusted pet food store.
- Use a cat water fountain with fresh water to encourage them to drink.
If your cat appears to be dehydrated or seems hesitant to drink, it’s important to get them to the vet right away. Dehydration in cats can lead to several serious medical concerns that should be addressed as soon as possible.
Show Sources
Feline Living: âHow Much Water Does a Cat Need? How to Get Her To Drink More?â
PetMD: âDehydration in Cats.â
How To Tell That Your Cat Is Dehydrated
If your cat becomes dehydrated it can be a serious threat to your cats overall health. Dehydration can happen quickly if your cat isnt drinking an adequate amount of water. Here are some ways to tell if your cat might be dehydrated.
- Skin Elasticity Check your cats skin by gently pulling the skin between their shoulder blades out. Once you let go your cats skin should return immediately to its regular form. If your cats skin doesnt snap right back, your feline friend could be dehydrated.
- Sunken Eyes Take a good look at your cats eyes. If your cats eyes appear sunken or glazed over this could be another indication that they havent been drinking enough water.
- Dry Mouth Take a look at your cats gums. They should always be pink and moist. If you press your finger against your cats gums they should turn white, but if they dont return to a healthy pink color within a second or two of removing your finger your kitty may be dehydrated.
- Constipation Checking your cats litterbox is an easy way to tell if they have been drinking enough water. When cats are dehydrated they often become constipated. If your cat hasnt been having regular bowel movements, dehydration may be to blame.
- Panting Unlike dogs, cats do not typically pant. If your feline friend is panting it is a sign that they may be dehydrated.
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Try Different Types Of Water
No, we’re not talking about sparkling vs. stillbut rather what’s in the water.
Fluoride is added to our tap water to help prevent cavities and dental disease, but your feline friend might think it’s yucky. Try giving her fluoride-free bottled water or using a water filter .
Experiment with different temperatures, too. Most cats prefer their drinking water at room temperature, but some might like their H2O nicely chilled.
Create More Drinking Stations
If your cat turns his nose up at his water bowl, location may be to blame. Many cats wont drink from bowls that are next to their food or litter boxes.
And if your cat is lazy, he may not be willing to walk all the way across the house to get a drink, even if he knows he should.
So rather than relying on a single water bowl, place many bowls around the house. Try putting them on the floor, under tables, in different rooms, on the cat tree or on furniture that your cat is allowed onto.
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How Do Cats Drink Water
Researchers in 2010 analyzed the mechanics of how cats drink liquids. Researchers from MIT, Virginia Tech, and Princeton discovered that the top of the cats tongue is the only surface that comes into contact with the liquid in recent high-speed images.
If youve ever watched dogs drink, you will notice they dont drink like cats. The lapping process of the cat is more subtle and the cat will dip just the tip of its tongue into the liquid. A column of liquid forms between the traveling tongue and the liquids surface as it does so. The cat then shuts its mouth and pinches off the top of the column for a drink, keeping its chin dry.
When the cats tongue comes into contact with a liquid surface, some of the liquid adheres to it due to liquid adhesion, similar to how water adheres to a human palm when it comes into contact with a pools surface.
The cats tongue is drawn back up so quickly that inertia overcomes gravity for a fraction of a second, pulling the liquid down down into the cup. The cat then shuts its mouth before gravity overtakes inertia.
You can watch a slow-motion video showing this action here: