Why a cat doesn't drink enough water

Refusal of water can be a sign of ill health. Along with the reluctance to drink water there may be other symptoms that may indicate possible pathology, such as: inflammation in the mouth, diseases of the digestive system, malignant tumors, respiratory diseases, bleeding, kidney disease, or even be a signal that the cat has rabies.

Cats that don't drink enough, what's the risk and what to do about it…

Today we want to talk about a rather important point that concerns cat owners – how and how much your cat drinks, what it affects, and why you should take a closer look at such a common pet life ritual.

Have you ever noticed how your furry pet drinks. An interesting and fascinating natural process scientists investigated, and here's what they saw.

In contrast to dogs, which use their tongue like a ladle while drinking, curling it "with a tube inside", cats curve their tongue backward, curling it almost into a soft sign. Barely touching the liquid, the tongue begins to rise, lifting a column of liquid behind it – a microscopic portion of about 0.1 ml. Ordinary domestic cats (unlike their large wild relatives) manage to do this 4 times per second!

You might have noticed that cats do not like to lap from a saucer, but they drink from deep bowls more readily. Cats have long since left the free fields to live in a domestic environment, but the drinking process has not changed. The most convenient containers for them are still those that allow them to maneuver their tongues.

Drinking rations: How much should a cat drink?

Different sources recommend differently. According to generally accepted rules, the daily norm of water is calculated according to the weight of the animal, approximately 20-40 ml per 1 kg of weight. It's more correct to say that this approximation directly depends on health, weight, age and activity of the cat, and for big active cats and cats the rate may be 50 ml/kg/day.

It's worth mentioning that there are separate norms oriented to the type of cat's diet – if the cat is kept on dry food, the amount of water per day in grams should be 3 times its daily norm of dry food. For example, if a kitten, separated from her mother, eats 80 grams of food per day, she should drink already 240 ml of water. The figure is adjusted if the animal drinks milk or eats wet natural food.

How to know if a cat is drinking more than the norm

Water is as important for the normal functioning of the pet's body as good nutrition. An average water intake for cats is considered to be 0.03 ml per 1 gram of weight (or weight in grams multiplied by 0.03). It turns out that animals should consume from 20 to 40 ml of fluid per one kilogram of weight. These norms are approximate, and when calculating you should take into account not only the water that the pet drinks from the cup, but also that contained in the food. For example, eating natural food or wet industrial food, a cat may have little or no need for extra fluids.

When the cat starts to drink more than usual, an attentive owner will definitely notice this. A bowl of water will run out quicker and the cat might start looking for other water sources: drinking from the faucet, licking water from the sink or bath tub, showing interest in the fish tank and so on.

If you notice an increased thirst, in no case should you limit the cat's drinking: the lack of liquid quickly leads to dehydration and is dangerous for the cat's life.

Causes of increased thirst in a cat

The reasons for increased thirst or polydipsia can be divided into physiological (or natural) and pathological. Natural causes include:

• Elevated temperature The air temperature outside and in the house where the cat lives. During the hot season, all pets drink more water and eat less food. This is how they "cool down" their bodies.
• Too much dry air too dry indoors. Usually it happens during the heating season in houses: the air becomes too dry under the influence of radiators, and the body has to use more fluid reserves for normal functioning. An increased thirst in such a case is a natural reaction for both cats and people.

• Excessive exercise – also increases the body's need for fluids.
• Changing the type of food. For example if the cat goes from natural food or wet food to dry food in which the percentage of water is very low – it will need to drink more water in addition.
• Gaining excess weight. If the pet has "put on a lot of weight" recently, the body will need more fluids accordingly.
• Thirst may increaseAfter a cat is poisoned. This is caused by fluid loss associated with vomiting and diarrhea.
• Pregnancy and lactation period .. During this period, the mother cat requires an intensified diet and a large amount of water intake, since it is spent not only for the needs of the cat's body itself, but also for the formation of amniotic fluid, the formation of breast milk, etc. After the cat has nursed her offspring, water consumption returns to normal.
• The post-operative period, taking medication. The effects of anesthesia and certain other medications (corticosteroids, sedatives) lead to an increase in fluid loss by the body which must be replenished.

Why does the cat drink a lot?

The reasons why a cat drinks an increased amount of fluid can be divided into physiological and pathological.

The first group includes the following factors not related to organ pathology:

1. Pregnancy, lactation period.
2. The recovery period after surgery.
3. Excessive physical activity.
4. Hot weather.
5. High salt content or insufficient protein in the diet.
6. Use of certain foods, such as rice, which has about the same effect on animals as the diuretic furosemide.
7. Dry food. Manufacturers also recommend not changing the food unnecessarily.
8. Excessively dry indoor air.
9. Dampness.
10. Older age. Kittens tend to drink little, but it is not uncommon for older animals to have polydipsia.

These causes are not dangerous to the cat's health. As soon as her condition is restored or the factors are eliminated, the thirst will disappear.

Pathological causes that cause an animal to drink a lot include:

• diabetes mellitus;
• Chronic renal insufficiency;
• Viral and inflammatory diseases;
• pyelonephritis;
• insulinoma;
• hyperthyroidism;
• malignant and benign neoplasms of the liver;
• hepatitis.

Often abnormal fluid intake in a cat is due to stress. A change of residence, the arrival of another pet in the house, noisy company or a long absence of the owners can contribute to the symptom of polydipsia.

Finally, another reason why a pet constantly drinks water is due to taking certain medications.

Drugs that cause increased thirst include corticosteroids, diuretics, sedatives, particularly Xylazine.

What to do if the cat drinks a lot

If increased thirst is caused by natural causes, there is no reason to panic. Thus, the condition of the mother cat comes back to normal as soon as she stops feeding her offspring. Just a few days after weaning, the volume of fluid intake will be normalized.

Thirst caused by dietary habits usually disappears after dietary adjustments have been made. Meals in the cat's menu should not be too salty, and dry food, which always makes animals thirsty more than usual, it is advisable to alternate with wet canned food.

It is unacceptable to feed your cat food "from your table". Veterinary practice proves that unbalanced nutrition is the most common cause of many dangerous pathologies.

Perhaps the appearance of excessive thirst was affected by taking any medications used in the treatment. In this case, the owner of the pet should inform the veterinarian. As a rule, the specialist makes adjustments to the therapy, reduces the dosage or changes the drug.

If, after observing the cat, the owner has come to the conclusion that its thirst is not caused by natural causes, he should immediately take the animal to the veterinarian. The fact that thirst is accompanied by other signs: apathy, lethargy, loss of appetite, weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting should be a cause for concern.

A veterinarian will examine the animal, conduct the necessary laboratory tests: urine tests, blood tests, ultrasound of the pancreas (if diabetes is suspected), check hormone levels. After determining the cause, a specialist develops a treatment regimen. The therapy is aimed at eliminating the disease that caused the increased thirst.

How much water a cat should drink daily

Adult, healthy individuals need to consume approximately 40-50 milliliters of fluid per kilogram of body weight daily. The amount of moisture in the food is also important. For example, a pet weighing 4.5 kilograms needs about 200 ml of liquid. If a cat eats 170 grams of wet food (80% moisture content) daily, it covers more than half of its daily water needs, getting 135 ml of liquid with its food. If he eats only 70 grams of dry food (9% moisture content), he needs to drink another 180 ml per day.
The activity level of pets should be taken into account. The more active a pet is, the more liquid it needs. Also if the air temperature is higher than 20 degrees outdoors or indoors, the need for liquid consumption increases.
It is worth noting that sometimes you may need a different drinking regime. So with certain illnesses or after operations one should strictly follow the veterinarian's recommendations.
Stress factors, such as a change of residence, unknown people at home, the neighbor's cat, affect the behavior of four-legged friends. Often cats in such situations drink less. Let her get used to the new living situation, observe her behavior.
The necessary amount of fluid for the body also depends on the age. A young, growing kitten requires more fluids. And in old age this need decreases. It is perfectly normal for an elderly cat to drink less than normal.

How to teach a cat to drink more

Cats are unique, as are their drinking habits. It is impossible to force a pet to do anything, but there are tricks that can be used to influence the pet's drinking habits. That said, an adult is much harder to retrain. Try different options and observe to see what your pet's preferences are.
Maybe the fluffy prefers running water from the tap? Then you should think about buying a special drinking fountain. It consists of a tank and a small pump that ensures the constant flow of water and oxygenation.
Owners notice that cats are more likely to drink from certain bowls. Some don't like their whiskers to touch the edge of the bowl and prefer wide, shallow bowls. Others like to drink from large bowls, containers where they can dip their paws in, like in a pond.
Equally important is the material of the bowl. It's worth experimenting to see what you like better: a bowl made of clear glass, ceramic, metal or plastic.
You can try changing the location of the bowl. If you can find the right spot, cats will be more willing to drink. Pets may not like water and food bowls next to each other and don't like sharing bowls with other animals. Many will be squeamish about drinking next to the litter box.
Many like to have several bowls of water around the house, they are curious animals, vividly interested in the unusual and new. Using these simple tips, you will find her favorite place.
Cats love fresh water, which means it needs to be changed daily. But there are exceptions to the rules – some prefer stale water.
To increase your cat's interest in water, add a few drops of cream, milk or meat juice. Keep in mind, you should not give milk and cream in "pure" form, they contain milk sugar, which in most cats causes diarrhea. By the way, you can prepare meat juice in the form of ice cubes to give them a taste. But do not give the cat ice water to drink! It must be at room temperature. Animals who prefer pure fresh water may be disturbed by the taste or smell of tap water. In this case, drinking water filters or use bottled still water can help. Boiled water has no nutrients, so it is better to prefer raw water.
One way to increase fluid intake is to add it to the food. Try soaking dry food or adding small amounts of liquid to wet food.
A few small meals each day, is consistent with cats' natural feeding behavior. They drink a little water with each meal because the digestive juices excreted cause them to feel thirsty. It is preferable to choose the frequency of feeding together with the veterinarian, taking into account, for example, the results of the urine test.

What does the need to drink enough water have to do with it?

Maintaining a water balance affects how well the cat feels and how active it is. Composed of roughly 75% water, the body needs an adequate fluid intake to keep its internal systems functioning properly.

• Thermoregulation In hot weather, mammals use a sweating mechanism to cool themselves, which allows them to lower their body temperature. Cats, although they have sweat glands, their full function is hindered by their fur. Therefore, most of their sweat glands are on the pads of their feet, muzzle, near their nipples and anus. To a greater extent, the cat cools the body by licking – the evaporation of saliva from the coat lowers the body temperature. The cat needs plenty of drinking to increase the amount of saliva. In extreme heat, a cat may start breathing with its mouth open and its tongue stuck out like a dog, breathing in moist and cool air. Evaporation occurs while breathing, which also requires replenishment of fluids.
• Transportation of nutrients Water transports nutrients, minerals, and enzymes, transporting them to cells and tissues. Also, as a solvent, water is needed in sufficient quantities to process nutrients and remove breakdown products.
• Digestion Water is the most important element by which digestive processes take place. The fluids of the digestive system contain water in various concentrations. Only in an aqueous environment can nutrients be absorbed from the intestine into the bloodstream and then transported to the body tissues. The end products of metabolism dissolved in water are excreted by the pet. Water is required for the excretion of waste products: with urine and feces.

In addition, water maintains the elasticity of tissues, acts as a joint lubricant, is involved in muscle work.

Signs of dehydration and its dangers

Dehydration occurs when there is a deficit of moisture, necessary for the normal functioning of the body. This dangerous condition causes serious pathologies that can be fatal.

• There is no direct access to a source of water (the cat has spent a lot of time indoors, stuck on a tree branch, the bowl is not filled).
• Symptoms of infectious diseases, due to which the pet cannot drink water: inflamed teeth and gums, paralysis of laryngeal muscles, aching joints. The cat experiences pain when swallowing, no sense of thirst during fever.
• Disorders of the digestive system: liquid stools, vomiting, leading to fluid loss and deficiency in the body.
• Open wounds and internal bleeding.
• Kidney disease.
• Diabetes mellitus.
• Poisoning by poisonous and toxic substances.

How do you know if a cat is dehydrated? The initial stage of this condition is difficult to notice, because obvious symptoms begin to appear when the fluid level in the body is reduced by 10%.

1. The mild stage – The volume of water in the body is reduced less than 5%. Symptoms and signs of this stage are almost absent, which makes diagnosis difficult. You may notice a slight decrease in the pet's activity and a change in the condition of the nasal lobe. When healthy, the nasal lobe should be moist and cool. But if the pet is sleeping, a dry and warm nose is considered normal.

1. Intermediate stage. – The lack of fluid volume is at a level of 5-10%. Symptoms and signs: dry mucous membranes and pale mouth, changes in skin turgor (skin folds take longer to return to their original appearance), viscous and thick saliva, increased thirst, rapid breathing and heart rate.
2. Severestage – A decrease in fluid volume of 10% or more. Symptoms and signs: lack of activity, drowsiness, refusal to eat, increased heart rate, shortness of breath, desire for privacy in a quiet, dark place.

Diseases accompanied by increased thirst

The reason that the cat drinks a lot of water may not be a physiological factor, but a serious disease of internal organs. In order to determine the exact cause of polydipsia, it is recommended to contact a veterinary clinic. Among the causes that cause increased thirst in cats are the following:

1. Diseases of the renal structures. Various pathologies of the urinary system lead to disorders of the water-electrolyte balance, provoking an increase in fluid intake by the body. Polydipsia is observed in pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, urolithiasis, accompanied by frequent urge of the animal to pee a lot.
2. Thyroid disorders. Hypertheriosis, caused by a benign tumor in the thyroid area, is the most commonly diagnosed problem in cats in endocrinology. In addition to increased thirst, cats experience increased appetite accompanied by abrupt weight loss, vomiting and frequent urges to the act of urination.
3. Intoxication of the body. When poisoning, the pet often has diarrhea and vomiting, which in turn leads to a large loss of fluid in the body. Water-electrolyte balance disorders lead to increased thirst in cats.
4. Disorders in the diet. An unbalanced diet with a high or low content of protein components leads to internal organ disorders and also provokes an increased thirst.
5. Metabolic imbalances in the body. One of the most dangerous diseases associated with impaired metabolic processes against the background of endocrine pathology is diabetes mellitus. In this disease, Langerhans cells located in the pancreas begin to produce little insulin, the hormone that delivers glucose to the body's cells. As a result of the pathological process, glucose levels rise sharply, with cellular structures suffering from acute glucose deficiency. Most of the sugar is excreted from the body with the kidney structures, disrupting the concentration of glucose in the body. The density of the urine decreases and the pet has polydipsia.

What to do if the cat drinks a lot of water

Any pathological condition in an animal should be evaluated by a specialist. It is not possible to identify the exact cause of metabolic disorders at home. In the conditions of the veterinary clinic, the doctor should perform a clinical examination, as well as prescribe additional diagnostic studies.

A set of examinations to identify the causes of thirst in a cat, includes:

• general blood test – to evaluate the composition of the blood at the cellular level and exclude a possible inflammatory process;
• Blood chemistry – analysis to give an objective assessment of the work of the kidney and liver, as well as to exclude elevated calcium and water-electrolyte composition of the blood;
• Urinalysis – allows you to determine the presence of glucose in the blood, protein or inflammatory processes;
• glucosometry – a test to diagnose diabetes mellitus.

In addition to laboratory tests, instrumental studies are prescribed – ultrasound of the abdominal cavity organs and computed tomography. These studies allow you to assess the condition of the internal organs, their structure, size, and density.

After making an accurate diagnosis, the doctor prescribes an individual treatment regimen. When inflammatory processes are detected, the prescription of medications that relieve inflammation is mandatory. Thus, when kidney disease (pyelonephritis and glomerulonephritis), antibiotic therapy is indicated, as well as medications that normalize the excretory system.

Serious diseases – chronic renal failure, urolithiasis or diabetes mellitus are not treated completely, so the therapy is symptomatic and supportive. The animal must be put on a special diet, depending on the disease.

Causes of polydipsia can be varied and a veterinarian is needed. Self-treatment can have a detrimental effect on the body, aggravating the situation.

Possible diseases

Noticing that the cat refuses to take food and drink water, the owner should not leave such a condition without attention. Such signs may indicate the development of serious diseases, especially when combined with other symptoms – eruption of gastric contents, diarrhea, increased fatigue and apathy, secretion of mucous exudate from the nasal passages and eyes, increased body temperature readings.

It has been noted that forcing a cat to drink water is not advisable. It is better to cheat by placing several containers of water around the house so that the cat can drink water when it wants to. If the cat does not want to drink the water, you can try to buy a special drinking fountain to interest the cat. Under normal conditions, a cat may not be thirsty or thirsty in the face of the following factors:

• If the pet receives natural food or canned ready-to-eat food, it means the proper amount of fluid is being supplied;
• The kitten's consumption of fresh kefir, ryazhenok, broths means that the water-electrolyte balance is normal;
• Kittens fed on their mother's milk do not need additional water.

If the cat refuses water and has additional symptoms in the form of malaise, weakness, vomiting or other signs, it means that abnormal refusal is caused by pathology. Abnormal refusal to drink water in a cat may provoke the following conditions:

• Pathologies of an inflammatory nature in the oral cavity (lesions of the teeth, gums – gingivitis, stomatitis, periodontitis, tartar);
• diseases of the digestive tract (gastritis, duodenitis, ulcers, pancreatic inflammation, diseases of the hepatobiliary system);
• malignant neoplasms in the body, especially in the oral cavity;
• Infectious diseases of the respiratory tract affecting the throat and pharynx, accompanied by ulceration;
• Extensive blood loss that causes severe weakness;
• Various abnormalities of the renal system.

What to do if the cat refuses to drink water

Many factors can provoke a cat's refusal to drink water. The animal may flatly refuse to drink water from a container that he does not like. Also, the cat will not want to drink the water if he does not like the quality of the liquid. Even people who understand the importance of drinking clean water rarely drink their daily quota.

In order to get your pet interested in drinking plain water, you can follow some guidelines. First of all, the quality of the utensils. It is best to choose glass or ceramic containers. A stainless steel bowl will also work. But it is better to refrain from plastic dishes. Even the highest quality plastic has a short shelf life. Over time, plastic begins to absorb odors or emit toxic substances that discourage animals from drinking liquids. Among the recommendations are also important:

If the animal is stubborn and continues not to want to drink the water, experienced owners recommend going for the trick of increasing the animal's interest. Prepare a kind of soup, mixing canned food for cats with water, observing the proportion of 1:1. Dry food can be pre-moistened with water and offered to the cat. This way the loss of liquid will be minimal. You can also mix milk with water, making a kind of milk drink. The interest of the animal will be higher for such a liquid, so it will drink it much more willingly. However, it is worth remembering that not all cats can have milk. In many animals this product can provoke diarrhea.

In hot weather, put a small frozen ice cube in a bowl for water or food. The cat will lick the ice to get the moisture it needs. Cat owners have noted that animals show interest in running water, so you can get the cat interested in drinking water by placing it on the edge of the sink and turning on the water.

The process of accustoming the animal to drinking water is long and takes more than one day. Over time, the pet will begin to drink the necessary amount of liquid and avoid dehydration. But if the cat is lethargic and seems ill and refuses to drink water, you should go to the veterinarian for help. The specialist will perform a general clinical examination and prescribe a number of tests to identify the underlying factor that provoked the ailment. Based on the data obtained from the laboratory and instrumental studies, the veterinarian will draw up a therapy regimen best suited for the individual patient.

Cat does not drink water what to do? Advice from a cat expert

Today you paid attention to your pet and wondered why the cat does not drink water, what to do in this case? Imagine, you're looking at a full water bowl and frantically remembering, but when did you actually poured water there last time? Well, if just now, but if a long time ago, stale water does not attract the pet. Draw fresh, clean water and offer it to your cat. If the water is fresh and the cat still won't drink, then let's start sorting things out in order.

How long can a cat survive without water?

It's an urgent question for every owner whose cat stopped drinking. How long can a cat without water live? This is one of the first thoughts that crosses our minds when we realize that our pet is not drinking water.

A healthy, adult cat may need about a glass of water a day. This amount does not necessarily have to be water, though. This amount of fluid in the pet's body, can be replenished by its content in other foods she eats.

So, how long can a cat live without water? When answering this question, veterinarians give an approximate figure of 48 hours. Of course, these figures are averaged and the cat may endure more. It will depend on her weight and the environment. For example, if the room will be very hot and stuffy, the cat's body will suffer more from lack of water.

When the cat has stopped drinking water for 24 hours, it is time to raise the alarm and find out why this is happening. Analyze the situation, draw conclusions and remove the obstacles that prevent the cat from getting enough life-giving moisture.

Four more tricks to make the cat drink water

Suppose you have already placed all over the house salad bowls and vases with fresh water, but the cat stubbornly ignores the watering hole. Well, there are a few more tricks, one of which will definitely work.

Scent the water

If the cat is indifferent to regular water, you can play on food interest. To do this, pets are offered a variety of solutions or added to water for scent:

1. Meat Juice – the dark liquid that remains in the bowl after raw meat or by-products, especially a lot of it is excreted when defrosting.
2. Unsalted broth – just boil a couple of shrimp, crayfish, clams (mussels, oysters) in water without salt. If the cat doesn't like seafood (although they usually love it), add some bone or meat broth to the water.
3. A drop of milk or a pinch of cat milk substitute (available at pet stores and drugstores).
4. Soak fresh cucumber slices in water – some cats are attracted to "vegetable water".
5. Fortiflora is an industrial supplement for cats with a probiotic. Comes in powder form, has a distinct meat odor. It is enough to add a pinch to the water.
6. Viyo Reinforces – prebiotic for cats in the form of a nutritious drink, you can give it as such, and you can dilute it with water in different proportions (1:1, 1:2) – so the cat gets even more fluid.

The only disadvantage of "tasty water" is that it spoils quickly and should not be left in a bowl all day.

Some cats love to drink earthy water – the one that accumulates in the saucer of flower pots after a lot of watering. Others tend to drink from an aquarium. Don't scold your pets, but make sure they have their "favorite watering hole.

Running water

The murmuring of water attracts cats, sometimes it is curiosity and the desire to play, but in the end the cat still drinks water, even if licking its wet paws. Running water legitimately seems to be fresher than standing water, which is why cats are so fond of drinking from the tap.

Conclusion: How do you know if your cat is drinking enough water?

Owners usually don't think about how to get their cat to drink water until problems knock on the door. An attack of urolithiasis, idiopathic feline cystitis, and chronic constipation are all good reasons to reconsider a pet's drinking regimen. But, in fact, to puzzle over the proper watering should all who have decided to feed a cat with dry industrial food.

If you have any doubts about whether or not the cat is drinking enough you can have a urine sample. It is the increase in urine density that predisposes the cat to precipitate crystals. On a natural diet the cat will drink little – a lot of moisture is contained in the food. On dry food – naturally more. Each body has its own norm, and it depends on many factors. How often the cat washes (and therefore wastes water to produce saliva), whether she feeds kittens, and so on.

Severe thirst in any cat is an alarming symptom, not a cause for rejoicing. It can be a sign of kidney failure, hormonal diseases, diabetes.

I'm glad if this article was helpful to you! For even more useful information for cat people, check out the feature story "Claws of Change"