Introduction
Proper hydration is extremely important for cats’ health. When cats don’t get enough water, they can become dangerously dehydrated. Dehydration in cats can lead to serious conditions like kidney disease, urinary tract infections, and constipation. In severe cases, it can even be fatal. Unlike dogs, cats do not have a strong natural drive to drink water. In the wild, cats get most of their moisture from the prey they eat. As a result, many domestic cats are not good drinkers and may need encouragement to drink enough water each day.
According to experts at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, cats need to consume about 4 ounces of water per five pounds of lean body weight per day. So the average 10-pound cat should drink about one cup of water per day to stay hydrated. Cats that eat canned food typically get more moisture from their diet. But cats that eat mainly dry food need extra water intake to avoid dehydration. There are ways cat owners can monitor hydration levels and encourage their cats to drink more when needed.
This article will cover how much water cats need, signs of dehydration to watch for, tips to encourage water drinking, when to call the vet, and how to give cats fluids if needed. Proper hydration is key to cats’ health and quality of life, so cat owners should understand dehydration risks and know how to get their cats to drink up.
Determine If Your Cat Is Drinking Enough
Cats generally need about an ounce of water per pound of body weight per day. For example, a 10-pound cat needs around 10 ounces or about 1 1/4 cups of water daily. However, this can vary based on factors like age, health, diet, and activity level.
Signs that your cat may be dehydrated include:
- Dry or sticky gums
- Skin tenting – when the skin is pulled up, it stays there instead of snapping back
- Sunken eyes
- Lethargy or weakness
- Reduced skin elasticity
- Infrequent urination or dark yellow urine
If your cat is displaying any of these symptoms, it likely needs more fluids. Monitor its water intake and consider adding moisture to its diet. Severe or prolonged dehydration can be dangerous and may require veterinary assistance with providing intravenous or subcutaneous fluids.
It’s also important to rule out potential medical causes for increased thirst like kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, and diabetes. Have your vet evaluate your cat if you notice a sudden increase in water consumption.
Encourage Your Cat to Drink More
There are several methods you can try to encourage your cat to drink more water on their own:
- Try different water bowls and placements – Cats can be picky about their water sources. Place bowls in multiple spots around your home, away from their food bowl. Offer different styles of bowls, like shallow dishes or fountains.
- Add water fountains – Moving water from a fountain can entice cats to drink more. The sound and motion can get their interest. Make sure to clean fountains frequently.
- Flavor the water – Adding a bit of tuna juice or low-sodium chicken broth to the water can make it more appealing to some cats [1]. Just a teaspoon or two of flavoring per bowl can work.
With some trial and error, you can hopefully find ways to spike your cat’s interest in drinking water voluntarily.
Wet Food Diet
Transitioning your cat to a diet with more wet food or adding wet food to your cat’s current diet can help increase their water intake. Wet cat food has a high moisture content, typically around 75-78% water, compared to only 6-10% water content in dry food.[1] Feeding wet food provides cats with most of the hydration they need from their diet.[2]
Gradually transition your cat to eating more wet food by mixing a small amount of wet food into their dry food. Over time, increase the ratio of wet to dry food. It’s ideal to feed cats a mix of wet and dry food to provide hydration as well as dental health benefits.
Wet food has high protein and moisture content important for lean muscle mass and hydration.[3] If your cat is not drinking enough water on their own, a wet food diet can help them get hydrated.
Water-Rich Foods
Adding water-rich foods to your cat’s diet can encourage them to take in more fluids. Foods like broths, tuna, and crab meat contain a high water content. Mixing a spoonful or two of wet, canned tuna or unsalted broth into your cat’s dry kibble can add extra moisture. You can also try feeding tuna or broth on its own as a treat. Just be sure to limit tuna feeding to no more than once a week, as too much can lead to mercury poisoning. Other water-rich foods to try are cooked egg whites, cucumbers, watermelon, carrots, and peas (Source). Adding some of these healthy, hydrating foods into your cat’s diet can help increase their overall fluid intake.
Avoid Dry Food Only Diet
Feeding cats only a dry food diet can lead to chronic dehydration over time. Dry food has very low moisture content, usually around 10%, whereas the natural prey diet of cats typically contains around 70-75% moisture. Cats have a naturally low thirst drive and do not make up the moisture deficit by drinking water. Over time, the lack of moisture from dry food only diets can put cats at risk of chronic dehydration, which can lead to urinary and kidney problems.
It’s best to avoid feeding cats only dry food. Instead, incorporate wet cat foods, which have much higher moisture contents around 75-78%, into their diet. You can also add water to dry food to increase moisture intake. Feeding a combination of wet and dry food is ideal to provide cats with enough hydration from their diet. Some cat owners find success in getting cats to drink more water by using cat water fountains. Ultimately the goal is to increase your cat’s moisture intake from all sources to avoid the risks of dehydration.
Monitor Urine Volume and Concentration
One way to check if your cat is getting enough fluids is to monitor their urine output and concentration.
Look at the litter box throughout the day and make note of how much urine your cat is producing. A normal, healthy cat should have consistent urine production. If the litter box stays dry for long periods, it could be a sign your cat is not drinking enough water.
Also check the color of the urine. Dark yellow or orange urine is more concentrated and indicates your cat may be dehydrated. Well-hydrated cats will produce pale yellow or straw colored urine.
If you notice decreased urine volume or dark, concentrated urine, try encouraging more water intake. If it persists more than a day or two, consult your veterinarian, as it could signal an underlying health issue.
When to Call the Vet
There are certain symptoms that require an urgent veterinary visit if your cat is refusing to drink water.
According to PetMD, you should call your vet immediately if your cat hasn’t had any water for over 24 hours. Severe dehydration can cause serious health complications and can be fatal if left untreated. Your vet will likely administer intravenous or subcutaneous fluids to rehydrate your cat.
Some other symptoms that warrant an urgent vet visit include:
- Dry gums
- Sunken eyes
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Increased heart rate
- Fever
According to the ASPCA, dehydration can quickly become life-threatening for cats. Contact your vet as soon as you notice any of the above symptoms along with lack of drinking.
Tips for Giving a Cat Fluids
Giving a cat subcutaneous fluids can help increase hydration and manage certain medical conditions. However, it’s important to make it a calm, positive experience for your cat. Here are some tips:
Use syringes or droppers designed for giving oral liquids to gently squirt water into your cat’s mouth. Go slowly and don’t squirt too much at once. Your cat is more likely to swallow if just a small amount is given at a time.
Consider getting a pet fountain. The flowing water encourages cats to drink. Place it in an easily accessible area and keep it clean. Try different fountain styles if your cat doesn’t take to the first one.
Give your cat treats and affection immediately after administering fluids. This creates a positive association. You can also place your cat near the treats or food bowl after finishing.
Always follow your veterinarian’s instructions carefully. Use caution to avoid hitting a bone or nerve. Stop if your cat shows signs of pain or discomfort. Contact your vet if problems persist.
Do Not Force Drinking
Never force a cat’s mouth open or squirt water in. This will stress the cat and make problems worse.1 Forcing water can cause choking, aspiration pneumonia, or esophageal damage. It also destroys trust between you and your cat.
While a cat may need more fluids, forcing them is counterproductive. Focus instead on making water readily available in multiple clean bowls. Try different bowls and running water fountains to pique their interest. But let your cat drink voluntarily in their own time.