Tips for Helping Your Cat Drink More

Dehydration can be a big problem in cats. Cats in nature get most of their water when they eat their prey, so felines generally have a low thirst drive. However, housecats don't eat much prey and often eat dry kibble instead. Pair that with the low thirst drive, and many cats are chronically dehydrated. This can lead to or complicate many illnesses like kidney disease.

Learn more here: "Dehydration in Cats: How Can You Tell If a Cat Is Dehydrated?"

Here are some quick tips for increasing your cat's water consumption.

Keep the Water Bowl Clean

Clean your cat's water bowl daily to keep bacteria from growing and objectionable smells from developing.

You may wish to set out several types of bowls, stainless steel, ceramic, and glass, to see if your cat seems to prefer one type over another.

Also, be sure to use a shallow, wide bowl like the Dr. Catsby's Whisker Relief Bowl, so your cat's whiskers aren't bent backward while drinking. Some cats are sensitive to having their whiskers disturbed and might avoid the water bowl because of it.

Many Cats Prefer Running Water

A majority of cats seem to prefer running water to sitting water. If your cat tends to jump on the counter and lap water droplets from the faucet, this might be why.

A pet water fountain is a great way to encourage increased water consumption in your cat. They have filters which can remove objectionable tastes and odors that might be keeping your cat from drinking your tap water, too.

Experiment with Different Enticements

Some cats can be enticed to drink more if you vary the container from which the water is offered. Your own water glass can be an interesting water source for your cat sometimes.

Adding a small amount of low sodium chicken broth to the water can get your cat interested in trying it, and some cats are tempted by ice cubes. Play around to see what gets your cat to drink more, but always leave one bowl of fresh, plain water out, too, in case your cat dislikes the additives.

Offer Canned Cat Food Daily

Canned cat food has much more moisture in it than dry does, and it more closely mimics the cat's natural way of getting water from food. You can even add a little extra warm water to the canned food and mix it in to sneak further water into your cat.

For more information and how to tell if your cat is dehydrated, check this article: "Dehydration in Cats: How Can You Tell if Your Cat Is Dehydrated?"

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