Wondering how to get your cat to drink more water? It can be difficult, we know!
Just about every cat owner knows the struggle of seeing your cat sniff the water bowl and walk right by without taking a drink. Unlike dogs who gulp down water without any hesitation, cats are a lot more selective when it comes to drinking water.
In fact, it is such a widely experienced phenomenon with cat owners that there are entire companies solely dedicated to creating products to help cats drink more water.
How to Get Your Cat to Drink More Water – Simple Tips
Factors that Affect a Cat’s Hydration
- Diet – What your cat eats can play a massive role in how much water they consume. Especially for those cats who rarely drink water by itself, feeding only dry kibble means they are consuming much less than those cats who eat diets that are higher in moisture, such as canned food or food in broth.
- Age – Young kittens and as well as our beloved senior cats are much more prone to developing dehydration than adult cats, so it’s important to keep a closer eye on them and make sure they are drinking enough water.
- Medical conditions – Certain medical conditions, such as chronic kidney disease or diabetes, can affect the amount of water a cat will need to drink in a day. Always make sure to consult with your cat’s veterinarian about their hydration status and whether they may be needing to drink more water throughout the day.
- Location – For many cats, the location of the water bowl plays a crucial role in whether they feel safe drinking freely or not. Most cats prefer to drink in a location that is separate from their food and in a quiet location.
Is their bowl in the kitchen where the clanging of pots and pans scares them every time they try to sneak a quick drink? Consider moving it to a quieter part of the house. - Cleanliness – Many commercially available water bowls are made from material that can develop mould or mineral build up if not cleaned regularly. Especially if you live in an area that is higher in humidity, check your cat’s water bowl and clean it regularly to make sure your cat feels comfortable and confident that it is safe to drink that water.
So, what’s the big deal if my cat doesn’t drink a lot of water?
Why Hydration in Cats is Important
There’s a reason why so much effort is dedicated to helping cats stay hydrated. Ensuring proper hydration means that many vital bodily functions are able to continue as normal to keep your cat healthy. Everything from a cat’s blood circulation, digestion, and coat health are affected by a cat’s water intake.
Arguably the most important of all, your cat’s kidneys and urinary tract are greatly affected by how much water they drink.
Hydration and the Urinary Tract in Cats
Dehydration in cats can lead to medical problems in the urinary tract, such as urinary tract infections or the growth of bladder crystals or bladder stones. Especially in male cats, the development of bladder crystals or stones can become a medical emergency if not addressed urgently.
In serious cases where the bladder stone is completely blocking the passage of urine, immediate surgical intervention will be required.
Luckily, in most cases of bladder stones or crystals, this can be detected early with regular diagnostic testing of the blood and urine, and it can usually be dissolved or prevented in the future with dietary changes. Your veterinarian will recommend a prescription diet that is designed to either dissolve the specific type of stone or crystal your cat has in their bladder, or it will be designed to prevent those stones or crystals from developing in the future.
They may also recommend products, such as Feliway, which will help to ease stress or anxiety in cats.
Hydration and the Kidneys
For the kidneys, the key part of this is knowing that cats are prone to developing chronic kidney disease later in life, so the role that hydration plays is crucial.
The kidneys use water to help filter the waste products and excess nutrients from the blood, which then becomes urine. Fascinating, right?
Water also plays an important role in keeping the blood vessels open and flowing to make sure blood can move freely within the body without any hiccups.
But when the body becomes dehydrated, those waste products are unable to be removed from the blood, which can accumulate and lead to medical complications within the body, such as kidney stones or even long term damage to the kidneys!
This is why it is so important to ensure that these stubborn cats drink enough water. But enough about the scary medical talk; let’s see how the different aspects of a cat’s life play a role in their water intake.
Creative Ways to Get Your Cat to Drink Water
Alright, we know not only why hydration is important for cats but also various internal and external factors that can affect why they may not want to drink as much water. So, let’s talk about how we can get cats to drink water and stay hydrated and healthy!
Mix in Water
Yep, sometimes it really can be that simple.
There are some cats who just aren’t interested in drinking water by itself but will happily lap up some water if it’s mixed into their food.
If your cat is on a diet that only consists of dry kibble, consider soaking the kibble in water and allowing it to soften before feeding it to your cat. No need to drain the water out because this newly delicious flavoured water will entice your cat to drink the new mysterious addition to their meal.
If you have a senior cat or a cat who may not have all of their teeth, this has an added bonus of being a more comfortable option for a cat who has a hard time crunching on dry kibble but loves the flavour.
Switch to Canned or Wet Food
Another quick and easy option is to take the prep out of meal time and switch your cat’s dry kibble to a can or pouch of wet food.
Almost all commercially available cat foods have both wet and dry options, making it a viable option for cat owners who want to make the quick switch over to wet food to boost their cat’s hydration.
Certain prescription commercial diets that are designed to help prevent bladder crystals tend to be nutritionally balanced in a way that increases thirst. While it is intended primarily to help prevent the onset of urinary problems, it is an unintended benefit for helping cats drink more water.
If you plan on switching your cat’s diet from dry food to wet food, the overall nutrient content should remain the same if you’re sticking with the same diet from the same pet food company, but just in case, it never hurts to check with your cat’s veterinarian before making any dietary changes.
Flowing Water
We all know that cats are unique and sometimes have their quirks. We’ve seen videos of cats who can’t get enough of that sweet, sweet tap water and beg for their owners to turn on the faucet so they can drink to their heart’s content.
Some cats just refuse to drink standing water, which is fine but can be frustrating for cat owners who need to get their cats to stay hydrated. Well, there’s a cheaper and more environmentally friendly way to indulge in your cat’s quirky requests without wasting water.
Water fountains are an excellent way to give your cat a fun and interactive way of staying hydrated. For those cats who are concerned about or uninterested in the stillness of their water bowl, consider replacing it with a water fountain designed to demonstrate the active flowing of the water in a way that will entice your cat to feel safe and comfortable.
Shape of the Bowl
The theme of cat ownership is often that each cat has its own unique preferences. And if you own more than one cat, you probably know that no cat has the same preferences and is often very demanding about it. Naturally, this extends to the shape of the bowl for certain cats.
Many cats don’t enjoy the feeling of their whiskers touching the sides of the bowl when eating or drinking, which is why cat dishes tend to be flatter in comparison to dog bowls.
If your cat’s water dish has a lot of depth or is very narrow, consider changing their water bowl to one that is wider and easier to access without bending their whiskers.
This can be a quick and easy fix for those picky cats who just aren’t interested in the slightest bit of discomfort. And who can blame them?
For cat owners everywhere, there can be times where you just wish you could communicate with them plainly and say “Listen, there’s nothing wrong with this water, but you need to drink it so you don’t get sick because I love you and want the best for you.” If only it were that easy!
The reality is that cats are wonderful, intelligent animals and know exactly what they don’t want and have no problem saying it. And it’s up to us to pay attention to the signals they are giving us to figure out what works.
Using these tips and tricks can help you to get your cat to drink more water. And don’t forget, if you have any medical concerns or are considering switching up your cat’s diet, make sure to talk to your veterinarian to get their input.
Together, you can use these tips to help make sure your cat is staying healthy and hydrated.