Does your cat drink too little? Although cats are naturally not very thirsty, they need enough fluids every day to stay healthy. If a cat drinks too little, it can cause serious health problems in the long term – such as bladder stones, constipation, or kidney disease. Here you will learn how much your indoor cat should drink, how to recognize dehydration, and how you can specifically encourage your cat to drink.
Table of Contents
- How much does a cat need to drink?
- Why do cats often drink so little?
- Cat drinks less than usual – possible causes
- Consequences of dehydration in cats
-
Signs that a cat is drinking too little
- Differences in drinking behavior
- Encourage your cat to drink: 8 tips
- What can cats drink?
- FAQ - Frequently asked questions about cats drinking too little
How much does a cat need to drink per day?
A cat's water requirement depends mainly on its body weight, diet, and the ambient temperature.
On average, cats need around 50 ml of water per kilogram of body weight. A 4 kg cat should drink around 200 ml of fluid per day.
Cats that mainly receive wet food already cover a large part of their fluid requirements through their food: wet food contains about 70 to 80% water, while dry food contains only about 8 to 10% water. Cats that eat exclusively dry food must therefore drink significantly more.
|
Feeding method |
Water content |
Additional daily water requirement |
|
Pure dry food |
approx. 8–10% |
approx. 180–200 ml |
|
Mixed feeding (wet + dry) |
Medium |
approx. 80–120 ml |
|
Pure wet food |
approx. 70–80% |
approx. 40–60 ml |
Why do cats often drink so little?
House cats are descended from desert dwellers. Their ancestors covered their water requirements mainly through prey. That is why cats often feel less thirst than other pets such as dogs.
Several factors can additionally influence drinking behavior:
- Feeding with dry food
- too few water bowls
- unsuitable or dirty bowls
- stress or changes in the household
- health problems
Tip: Many cats only drink small amounts of water at a time. If you place several water sources in the household, you may be able to slightly increase your indoor cat's water intake.
Cat drinks less than usual – possible causes
If a cat suddenly drinks less, it may have harmless reasons. In some cases, however, an illness may be behind it. Therefore, always also observe the behavior, food intake and activity of your furry friend.
Common everyday causes
- Stress due to moving or new animals
- Change in food
- Stale or dirty water
- Unsuitable bowl or unfavorable location
Medical causes
- Kidney diseases
- Urinary tract diseases
- Dental problems
- Gastrointestinal diseases
If your cat drinks hardly or not at all for 24 hours, you should definitely consult a veterinarian.
Consequences of dehydration in cats
Consistently too low fluid intake can cause various health problems in your cat.
Bladder stones and bladder problems
If cats drink too little, their urine becomes highly concentrated. This can lead to the formation of urinary crystals and bladder stones. These cause pain and can lead to chronic urinary tract problems. Special diet food can help prevent this.
Constipation
Too little fluid can harden the stool. Many cats develop digestive problems or constipation as a result.
Kidney diseases
The kidneys filter waste products from the blood. Without enough fluid, they work less efficiently. In the long term, the risk of chronic kidney disease increases. Cats with kidney disease absolutely need treatment by a veterinarian and can be supported with nutrient-rich special food.
Signs that a cat is drinking too little
Dehydration often only becomes apparent late. In the advanced stage, dehydration can occur, in which the cat's body contains significantly too little fluid. That is why it is worth paying attention to typical warning signs.
Typical symptoms are:
- dry or sticky gums
- fatigue and low activity
- strongly smelling urine
- sunken eyes
- cold paws
Skin tent test:
With a simple test you can check if your cat may be dehydrated: Carefully lift a small skin fold on the back of your cat's neck. If the skin flattens immediately, the cat is usually sufficiently hydrated. If the skin stays up for several seconds, there may be dehydration. If in doubt, you should always seek veterinary advice.
Differences in drinking behavior
In addition to individual personality, lifestyle and age play an important role in cats' drinking behavior. For example, the level of activity can determine how often and how much a cat drinks.
Indoor cat or free-roaming cat
How much cats drink depends heavily on their lifestyle. Free-roaming cats have many opportunities to take in fluids outdoors. They often drink from puddles, ponds, birdbaths, or rain barrels. That is why they may rarely drink from the water bowl at home. To owners, it may then sometimes seem as if the cat is drinking too little, although it already covers its fluid requirements outdoors.
Indoor cats, on the other hand, have no access to such water sources and are completely dependent on the bowls provided in the home. Therefore, it is particularly important to provide several drinking options and to change the water regularly. Different locations in the home can also help the cat drink more often.
Young cats vs. seniors
The cat's age can also influence drinking behavior. Young kittens are usually more active and have a higher energy expenditure. Therefore, they often take in several small amounts of fluid throughout the day, especially after playing or frolicking.
In senior cats, drinking behavior may change. Some older cats drink less because their sense of thirst decreases or they move less. Others suddenly drink significantly more. This is a possible sign of diseases such as diabetes or kidney problems. Therefore, owners of older cats should pay particular attention to changes in drinking behavior and have them checked by a veterinarian if in doubt.
Encourage your cat to drink: 8 tips
Even small adjustments in everyday life can lead to your furry friend drinking more permanently.
- Offer several water sources: Place water bowls in different rooms. Many cats drink more often when water is easily accessible.
- Do not place water next to food: Many cats dislike drinking directly next to their food.
- Use a drinking fountain: If water is flowing or moving, it may be more attractive to some cats than standing water.
- Choose shallow and wide bowls: A wide water bowl prevents the whiskers from touching the rim.
- Clean bowls regularly: It is best to change the water in the bowl daily.
- Prefer wet food: Wet food provides a lot of fluid and supports your cat's hydration.
- Mix water into food: One to two tablespoons of water in the food can increase fluid intake.
- Add flavor: Unsalted meat broth or some tuna water can encourage cats to drink.
What can cats drink?
Fresh drinking water is best suited.
In addition to clear drinking water, you can offer your indoor cat the following from time to time:
- unsalted meat broth
- tuna water
- specially developed cat drinks such as KATTOVIT Drink Gastro and KATTOVIT Drink Renal
Note: Cats should preferably not drink cow's milk. Many animals do not tolerate lactose and develop digestive problems from it.
Important here: Special food and functional drinks support your cat's health, but do not replace a veterinary diagnosis. If your cat shows signs of dehydration or its drinking behavior changes suddenly, you should always have it checked first to find out what is behind it. If a veterinarian recommended special food (e.g., for kidney or bladder support), you should also consistently stay with this special food even after the symptoms improve to avoid relapses.
