Is Your Cat Not Drinking Water? Understanding the Reasons and Solutions

Do you notice your cat avoiding water? It's essential to address this issue, as it could indicate serious health problems or a dirty water bowl. In such cases, understanding what to do and determining the cause of your cat's reluctance to drink is crucial.

Just like humans need an adequate water intake, cats must stay hydrated. Your cat might be unable to drink water due to illness or injury. That's why it's essential to address any changes in your cat's water-drinking habits. Regardless of the reason, cat owners should try to solve this issue at home. However, if your cat goes two days without drinking water, or worse, if accompanied by unusual symptoms, contact a veterinarian.

In this blog, we'll delve into the reasons your cat might not be drinking water and what measures you can take to address the issue:

Why Is My Cat Not Drinking Water?

While doctors emphasize the importance of humans drinking enough water, cats also need to maintain hydration. Let's explore the reasons your cat might not be drinking water:

1. Serious Health Issues: Specific health problems can cause discomfort, leading to a cat refusing to drink water. Issues like dental infections, gastrointestinal diseases, or oral inflammation can contribute to this behavior. Keep these health problems in mind whenever you notice your cat avoiding water. Additionally, if your cat has underlying health issues such as diabetes, kidney problems, hyperthyroidism, or certain cancers, she may become dehydrated.

2. Unusual Behavior: Cats are known for developing specific drinking habits. This means your cat might avoid stagnant water sources because they could contain bacteria. Moreover, cats may prefer drinking in other places, especially from moving water sources like dripping faucets or even licking a bathtub. So, if your cat enjoys spending time outdoors, she might prefer outdoor water sources.

3. Food Moisture Content: Note that cats are known to drink less water because most of their food contains sufficient moisture. If your cat usually consumes dry kibble and you decide to switch to fresh food, she might drink less water as the food already contains a significant amount of moisture.

Signs Your Cat Is Dehydrated:

If your cat isn't drinking water, check for the following symptoms:

• Lethargy
• Increased heart rate
• Sunken eyes
• Poor skin elasticity
• Decreased appetite

Most cat owners check skin elasticity near the shoulder blades to determine if their cat is dehydrated. If the skin quickly returns to its normal position, your cat is adequately hydrated. However, if it takes a few seconds, you should address the reason for your cat's dehydration.

How to Address Your Cat's Dehydration:

Ensuring your cat drinks enough water is crucial for her overall health and well-being. So, what should you do when you find your cat dehydrated? Before solving the issue, we need to know how much water your cat should drink.

Veteran pet doctors reveal that a cat's water intake requirement is approximately 3.5-4.5 ounces of water per 5 pounds of body weight.

Now that we understand the amount of water a cat should drink, let's delve into how to address your cat's dehydration problem. Cats must maintain adequate hydration for their health.

Doctors provide some tips cat owners can take to meet their cat's water intake needs:

1. Switch to a Moist Diet: Fresh food and other moist foods provide an ideal amount of water. Consider abandoning dry kibble and opting for stewed dishes and canned foods to maintain your cat's hydration.

2. Prepare Tuna Cubes for Your Cat: Squeeze liquid from canned tuna and freeze it into tuna cubes. They serve as a delightful treat for your cat and improve the taste of her water.

3. Consider Flavor Options: If your cat isn't drinking enough water, you can explore other tasty options like low-sodium beef broth, bone broth, or low-sodium chicken broth. Fortunately, these choices can be consumed alone or mixed with other food.

4. Use a Dynamic Water Source: To satisfy a cat's inclination to avoid stagnant water sources, the A1 Auto Water Fountain provides clean water through quadruple filtration, creating a soothing flowing stream. It even uses RFID collars to precisely track each cat's water consumption, ensuring optimal hydration.

Conclusion:

While doctors stress the importance of humans drinking enough water, the same goes for cats. It's crucial to examine various symptoms to determine if your cat is dehydrated. Hydration is essential for a cat's overall health and well-being. Sometimes situations worsen, and your cat might go without drinking water for 48-72 hours. When you realize this, address it immediately. You can consider performing the skin elasticity test to ensure your cat is adequately hydrated. Dehydration might accompany severe symptoms like lethargy, decreased urination, and loss of appetite. When you notice such symptoms, contact a veterinarian promptly. Nevertheless, we hope you can use our thoroughly researched tips to address your cat's dehydration at home.