Cats Need Water: Make it Inviting

Every life process relies on water. The body of the cat is made up of about 70% water. The natural prey that cats would catch also contain approximately that same amount of water.  Many people are under the false assumption that cats don’t need water or that they’re afraid of it. Cats need water. The cat’s ancestors came from a desert environment and relied on getting adequate amounts of water in the food they ate. Modern day cats eat lots of dry food which has very low water content (about 10%) and so they need an additional water supply in the form of a separate water bowl. Cats who consume wet food get much of the water they need within that food (canned food contains approximately 78% water) but also still greatly benefit from a separate water supply. A cat eating a diet of canned and dry food also must have a separate water supply.

If you feed dry food to your cat don’t try to increase the water content by wetting the food because it often makes it much less palatable to the cat. Instead, talk to your veterinarian about adding some canned food into the diet. There are ways to gradually transition your cat to canned food.

Use the Right Type of Water Bowl

Cats need to have access to fresh water at all times. To ensure your cat is drinking enough water, use a water bowl that is an appropriate size for your cat and maintain a consistent level of water in it. Don’t use a huge bowl filled with water as a way of only having to fill it once a week because the water will get stale, dirty and contaminated. Use a bowl that will hold a day’s water. Every day, wash the bowl with soapy water, thoroughly rinse it and refill with fresh water. Don’t just refill the water bowl without washing it because the water will taste bad and can become contaminated.

Gravity-feed water and food bowls are also very popular with pet parents. The one problem with the water container though is that the water can get stale. If you do decide to use a gravity-feed dispenser, you still need to regularly change the water and completely clean the dispenser and reservoir.

If you aren’t sure which type of bowl is best, offer a few different shapes and sizes so your cat will have the choice. Cats prefer glass and ceramic bowls with a thin lip/edge.

Keep Water Separate From Food

To avoid contamination from food, don’t use a double feeder that has food on one side and water on the other. It’s too easy for food particles to drop into the water. Additionally, many cats don’t like having their food and water close together. Some cats won’t drink water if it’s too close to their food source.

Monitor Your Cat’s Water Intake

Another benefit of filling the water bowl each day is that it enables you to better monitor how much or how little water your cat is drinking. If you notice a sudden increase or decrease, it can indicate a potential health issue. For example, an increase in water consumption may be a sign of renal failure or diabetes. The sooner you’re alerted to the change in water intake, the sooner your cat will be diagnosed and receive appropriate veterinary care.

You may also notice a change in the urine output of your cat. Any change in litter box habits or the amount or frequency of your cat’s urination could indicate a potential medical problem. Consult your veterinarian if you notice a change. If your cat does get a diagnosis of something such as feline lower urinary tract disease, renal failure or diabetes, she’ll need to drink adequate amounts of water to help flush toxins. Since she’ll be drinking more water you may have to increase the number of water bowls or refill them more often.

No Milk

Milk is not a replacement for water. If you offer your cat milk instead of water she will become dehydrated. Many cats are also lactose intolerant after weaning so you’ll potentially end up with kitty having diarrhea which can also lead to dehydration.

Outdoor Cats

Weather can play a role in the increase or decrease in water consumption. Your cat may drink more in hot weather. With outdoor cats, make sure there is always a fresh supply of water always available and that you monitor and clean the bowl daily. In hot weather, place the bowl in the shade. In cold weather, make sure the water doesn’t freeze.

Multiple Locations

In multicat environments it’s a good idea to have more than one water source (as well as more than one feeding station). Position water bowls around the house so that one cat doesn’t have to cross another cat’s area in order to get to the water. This is especially important in homes where there is any tension between the cats.