Introduction
Water is essential for cat health, but too much of a good thing can be harmful. Cats have a low thirst drive and tend to not drink enough water on their own. In fact, many cat owners are surprised to learn that cats should drink around 1 cup of water per 10 pounds of body weight daily. Dehydration is a common issue for cats that can lead to serious health complications. On the flip side, excessive water intake can also cause problems. Monitoring your cat’s water consumption is important to make sure they are getting adequate hydration without going overboard.
Reasons Cats Need Water
Cats need water for several vital bodily functions. Water aids in hydration, allowing nutrients and electrolytes to be absorbed into the body. It also helps with digestion, enabling food to properly move through the digestive tract. Additionally, water helps flush toxins from the kidneys and carry them out through urination. Other reasons cats need adequate water intake include:
- Regulating body temperature – Cats sweat primarily through their paw pads, so they rely on water to keep their body cool.
- Lubricating joints – Water keeps joints supple and helps prevent arthritis.
- Maintaining healthy skin and coat – Proper hydration keeps a cat’s skin and fur in good condition.
- Transporting oxygen – Blood is over 80% water, allowing oxygen to reach muscles and organs.
Without sufficient water intake, cats can become dehydrated, leading to potentially serious health issues. It’s critical for cats to have fresh, clean water available at all times. Their survival depends on it.
Daily Water Requirements
The amount of water a cat needs to drink per day depends on several factors like age, weight, activity level, diet, and environmental temperature. According to veterinarians, the average 10 pound adult cat requires about 100-150 ml (3.4-5 ounces) of water per day.
Kittens and lactating cats need more fluids than adult cats, requiring about 15-26 ml per pound (2-3.5 ounces) of their body weight per day. Older cats may drink less but still have adequate hydration if fed wet food. Cats eating only dry food require more water than those eating wet food or a mix, since dry food has minimal moisture content.
Active cats and cats in hotter environments also need increased hydration above the baseline recommendation. Monitoring your cat’s hydration signs like skin elasticity and moisture in the mouth is important to ensure they are getting enough fluids.
Signs of Dehydration
Dehydration can be serious for cats if not treated promptly. According to PetMD, some signs of dehydration in cats include:
- Lethargy and weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Dry or sticky gums
- Sunken eyes
- Inelastic skin that does not snap back when pinched into a “tent”
- Fast heart rate
- Panting
- Dark yellow urine
Dehydrated cats may cry or meow plaintively when trying to drink water if they are too weak to adequately lap. Kittens and young cats can become dehydrated more quickly than adult cats.
Health Risks of Dehydration
Dehydration can lead to some serious health complications in cats. According to https://thekaspack.com/warning-signs-of-dehydration-in-cats/, dehydration puts extra strain on the kidneys and can exacerbate existing kidney disease. Kidney disease is one of the most common ailments in older cats. Dehydration makes it difficult for the kidneys to flush out toxins and leads to a buildup of waste products in the blood.
Dehydration can also raise the risk of developing urinary tract infections (UTIs) according to https://banixx.com/blog/its-summerhow-to-tell-if-your-cat-is-dehydrated/. When a cat is dehydrated, the urine becomes more concentrated which irritates the bladder lining. This creates an environment where bacteria can thrive. UTIs cause painful urination, blood in the urine, and fever if left untreated.
Additionally, dehydration thickens the blood which forces the heart to work harder to pump blood through the body. This added strain can exacerbate heart conditions in cats with pre-existing cardiac disease. Dehydration can also lead to constipation, electrolyte imbalances, poor nutrient absorption, neurological issues and a weakened immune system.
Reasons for Excessive Thirst
There are several medical conditions that can cause cats to drink more water than usual. Two of the most common are diabetes and hyperthyroidism. According to veterinarians, diabetes is one of the leading causes of excessive thirst and urination in cats (1). With diabetes, the body loses the ability to regulate blood sugar levels properly. To try to flush out excess sugar, cats will drink and urinate more frequently. Likewise, hyperthyroidism, which is characterized by an overactive thyroid gland, can also lead to increased thirst and urination (2). The excessive hormones from the thyroid gland essentially speed up the body’s metabolism, increasing water intake and urine production.
Kidney disease is another common medical reason for cats to become very thirsty. Damaged or inflamed kidneys cannot properly filter waste products out of the bloodstream. This causes toxins to build up in the body, making cats feel thirstier so they drink more to try to flush out the toxins (3). Kidney disease tends to affect older cats, but younger cats can develop kidney problems as well.
In addition, conditions like cancer, liver disease, and infection can all lead to dehydration or electrolyte imbalances that make cats thirstier. Any systemic illness that causes nausea, vomiting, fever or diarrhea can also disrupt fluid balance and cause more thirst (4).
Dangers of Drinking Too Much
Drinking an excessive amount of water can be dangerous for cats. Here are some of the main risks:
Dilution of blood sodium – When a cat drinks too much water, it can dilute the sodium levels in their blood, leading to a condition called hyponatremia. This electrolyte imbalance can cause neurological symptoms like disorientation, seizures, and coma 1.
Kidney issues – Excessive water consumption stresses the kidneys as they work harder to eliminate the extra fluid. This can worsen existing kidney disease or lead to kidney injury over time 2.
Urinary tract problems – The extra fluid dilutes urine, allowing crystals and sediment to form more easily. This increases the risk of painful urinary tract infections, crystals, and blockages.
Weight loss – The fluid fills up the cat, leaving less appetite for food. This can lead to unhealthy weight loss and malnourishment.
Congestive heart failure – Fluid buildup in or around the lungs, called pulmonary edema, can develop from overhydration. This is a life-threatening emergency.
Monitoring your cat’s water intake and watching for the signs of overhydration is important. Consult your vet if your cat starts drinking significantly more water than usual.
Monitoring Water Intake
It’s important to monitor your cat’s water intake to ensure they are getting enough fluids each day. There are a few ways to do this:
- Observe your cat’s litter box habits. Urine should be relatively dilute and pale yellow, not dark or concentrated (source: https://petlibro.com/blogs/all/why-do-you-need-to-track-your-cat-s-hydration).
- Note your cat’s energy levels. Lethargy, weakness, or uncharacteristic inactivity can be signs of dehydration.
- Pay attention to skin elasticity. Gently pinch the scruff and see how quickly it snaps back. Delayed elasticity can indicate dehydration.
- Check for dry gums or eyes. Tacky mouth tissues or sunken eyes are red flags.
- Weigh your cat regularly. Sudden or unexplained weight loss may mean they are not getting enough fluids.
- Consider using an app-connected water fountain. New products like the Petlibro Dockstream allow you to monitor water intake in real-time using your smartphone (source: https://www.vice.com/en/article/dy37gj/petlibro-dockstream-app-monitoring-fountain).
By keeping an eye on these signs, you can spot potential hydration issues early and take steps to increase water intake if needed.
When to See a Vet
There are certain signs that indicate your cat may be drinking too much water and require veterinary attention. These include:
- Sudden increase in water consumption over a 24-48 hour period
- Excessive urination and larger volumes of urine
- Urinating outside the litter box
- Increased thirst that does not resolve in a few days (Veterinary Emergency Group, 2022)
- Weight loss despite a normal appetite
- Lethargy, weakness, or vocalizing pain
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Signs of dehydration like dry gums
- Increased consumption of water along with increased urination may indicate kidney disease, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, liver disease, or other conditions (PetMD, 2023)
It’s important to monitor your cat’s water intake and take note of any changes. Contact your veterinarian promptly if you notice any of the above signs to get an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Providing Fresh Water
To encourage proper hydration, always provide your cat with access to fresh, clean drinking water. Cats won’t drink water if it’s dirty or smells bad, so replenish their water bowl daily. For picky cats, changing the water frequently can make it more appealing. Some tips for providing fresh water include:
Use a cat fountain or circulating water dish instead of a bowl. Moving water is more enticing and stimulates drinking. Place water bowls away from food to prevent cross-contamination. Separate multiple water stations around your home. Try different bowl shapes and sizes like wide, shallow dishes which some cats prefer. Bottle-fill filtered water dispensers provide a constant source of fresh water. Add a few ice cubes to the water to keep it cool and enticing. Flavor the water with tuna juice or low-sodium chicken or beef broth. Avoid milk or sugary additives.
Monitor your cat’s water intake and watch for signs of dehydration. Provide easy access to clean, appealing water sources. Staying properly hydrated supports urinary tract health and kidney function.