It is important to know how to keep your cat hydrated. Are your cats more interested in their food bowls than their water bowls? If you answered affirmatively, blame their ancestors! Cats were originally desert-dwelling creatures. They adapted to the arid, desert environment by obtaining water from their food.
Your indoor cats retain some of their instincts as desert animals and may be finicky about water or they may not consume any liquids at all.
How Much Water Should Cats Drink?
What does “enough” water look like? It suggests that a 10-pound cat on a dry food diet consume around 1 cup of water each day. A 10-pound cat consuming canned, wet food requires around 1/3 cup of water per day.
In addition to hydration, there are medical conditions, such as vomiting, diarrhea, renal illness, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and fever, in which boosting a cat’s water consumption may be beneficial.
Why Hydration Matters…
As with people, keeping cats hydrated is essential! Hydration is necessary for temperature regulation, appropriate electrolyte concentrations, digestion, lubrication of joints, and supply of oxygen and other nutrients to the body’s organs.
On the other hand, dehydration can cause a variety of health difficulties, such as reduced circulation leading to organ malfunction, an inability to regulate body temperature, cardiac arrhythmias, cognitive dysfunction, and renal problems, among others.
12 Methods to Encourage Cats to Drink More Water
Now you see why water is essential for cats. But what does that proverb mean? You can bring a cat to water, but you cannot force it to drink.
Here is a comprehensive list of ways to hydrate your cats. You may just need to make a few minor adjustments to get significant results!
Offer many water bowls for cats
Multiple water cups are dispersed throughout the property.
Make it simple for your cats to remember to drink water. Put water dishes in many rooms. And if your home has many levels, set at least one bowl on each floor.
Daily water change
In the wild, cats drink from sources of fresh, rushing water. Fresh water is preferred by cats over water that has been sitting for days.
Give your pets new water every day. Not simply the cherry on top! Empty, wash, and refill.
In addition, if you notice a bug, food or litter particle, or any other debris floating in your cats’ water dish during the day, empty, rinse, and refill.
Your kitties will appreciate it!
Regularly clean cat water bowls
How frequently should you clean your cat’s water bowl? The subject of keeping the food and water bowls for cats clean is so crucial that we’ve included some advice below.
At least once every week, clean the water bowl for your cat in the dishwasher or by hand with soap and hot water. We recommend these bowls that are dishwasher safe.
Water container that can be cleaned in the dishwasher
Serve Soggy Food
Remember that the ancestors of your cats obtained moisture from their prey. Your cats also receive moisture from their diet.
Feeding cats full and balanced canned food is the simplest approach to ensure that your cat fulfills their daily water requirements. Cats who consume solely dry meals absorb less water overall and are more susceptible to dehydration.
According to the Pet Food Institute, dry pet food normally has 10-12% moisture, whereas wet pet food contains 75-78%.
If your cats have never consumed wet food, introduce it gradually to determine their preference. Certain tastes (chicken/beef/seafood), textures (pate/stew/gravy), and brands may be preferred by your cats. Try a variety of foods to see what they prefer.
Include Water in Food
Your felines prefer dry food…then what?
Combine wet and dry ingredients. Or, try adding a tiny quantity of water to dry food to see whether or not your cats prefer wet, soft kibble.
Perhaps your cats are already eating wet food, but they need to drink more water. Create a cat food slurry by adding a little amount of water to wet food.
If your cats refuse to consume food mixed with water, do not push them to do so. You do not want your cats to develop an aversion to their preferred food.
Try an Alternative Cat Bowl
The material and style of the water bowl for your cat are important. Stainless steel’s antimicrobial properties make it the safest material for cat dishes. Additionally, it does not retain odors and flavors from leftover food, a major turnoff for cats.
Choose a bowl that is whisker-friendly. Cats choose bowls that are broad and shallow, allowing their whiskers to remain above the dish as they eat and drink. Consider dishes particularly made for cats and those that reduce whisker fatigue. (Most dog dishes are too deep and too steep for cats’ whiskers.)
Conduct Experiments with Various Water
Your cats could be particular about the flavor of their water. If you don’t like tap water, consider filtered or bottled water.
Allow the Water to Flow
Your felines may desire to “search” for their water. Try running a gentle trickle from a faucet that is easily accessible.
Or, see whether your cats enjoy a water fountain.
Alter Your Location
Position, position, position! Where should you place the water dishes for your cats?
Perhaps you have many water bowls throughout your home, but they are not situated in cat-friendly areas.
Cats like drinking in secluded areas, away from their food and litter box.
Cool Down
Do you like ice-cold or room-temperature water? Cats are like individuals with distinct tastes.
Add a few ice cubes to your cat’s water bowl to see whether or not they enjoy it extremely cold. They may also get captivated and attempt to lick the ice.
Additionally, a stainless steel bowl can keep water colder for longer (similar to your favorite stainless steel tumbler or water bottle).
Add Flavor
Have you ever added cucumbers or lemons to plain water because you became weary of it?
Either tuna juice or low-sodium chicken broth may be a pleasant treat for your cats, either on their own or in combination with food. Consult your veterinarian beforehand, as salt and some components (garlic and onions, for example) might be toxic to cats.
Raise the water dish for your cats
Some cats find it more comfortable to drink from an elevated bowl. This cat dish holder elevates water three inches above the ground.
Drinking from an elevated bowl is more pleasant for older, bigger, or ill cats, but all cats can benefit from it.
Making the Transition
Every cat is unique! Be patient, since a technique that works for one cat may not work for another.
Most importantly, provide alternatives!
Cats dislike unexpected changes. Therefore, present the modification as an alternative and not as a substitute.
For instance, if you wish to try a new bowl or a new location, you should leave the present water bowl in place and also provide the new alternative. Observe your cat’s preference over the next few of days after exposing it to the alternative. Charolette Kennels is happy to assist in any advice in keeping your kitty hydrated!