You put out fresh water every day, but the water bowl seems almost untouched. Many cat owners wonder why their cat drinks so little water.
This doesn't necessarily have to be a problem. Cats naturally often drink small amounts and get some of their moisture from food. Nevertheless, sufficient hydration is important for the kidneys, bladder, and digestion, among other things. It's therefore good to know what is normal and how you can encourage your cat to drink a bit more.
Why do cats naturally drink little?
The ancestors of our domestic cats lived in dry areas and obtained a large part of their moisture from prey animals. Cats therefore do not always have a strong inclination to regularly go to a water bowl.
That instinct is still present. A cat can get enough fluids without you often seeing her drink, especially when she eats wet food daily. Wet cat food consists largely of water, while dry kibble contains almost no moisture.
A cat that only eats kibble will normally need to drink more from her water bowl than a cat that mainly gets wet food.
How much water does a cat need?
How much water a cat needs depends on her weight, diet, activity level, health, and the temperature in the house. As a general guideline, a cat needs approximately 50 to 60 milliliters of fluid per kilogram of body weight daily.
A four-kilogram cat therefore needs a total of about 200 to 240 milliliters of fluid per day. This does not mean that this entire amount must come from the drinking bowl. The moisture from wet food also counts.
Does your cat eat wet food daily and you rarely see her drink? She might still be getting enough fluids. For a cat that exclusively eats dry kibble, it is more important to pay close attention to her drinking behavior.
Why does my cat hardly touch her water bowl?
Some cats drink little because they get enough fluids from their food. However, there can also be practical reasons why a cat prefers to avoid her water bowl.
The water bowl is next to the food
Many people neatly place the food and water bowls next to each other. However, some cats prefer to drink elsewhere. In nature, water near food can become contaminated more quickly. Cats may therefore instinctively prefer a separate drinking spot.
Try placing the water bowl at some distance from the food. Sometimes you will quickly notice that your cat starts drinking more often.
The water bowl is too close to the litter box
Water should never be placed directly next to the litter box. Cats are clean and may find a drinking place close to their toilet unappealing.
Place the water in a quiet, clean spot where your cat feels safe.
The bowl is too small or too deep
Some cats find it annoying when their whiskers constantly touch the rim of the bowl while drinking. A wide, shallow water bowl can therefore be more pleasant than a narrow and deep dish.
The material can also make a difference. Many cats like to drink from ceramic, glass, or stainless steel. Plastic bowls can retain odors over time and are more prone to small scratches where dirt can accumulate.
The water isn't fresh enough
Cats have a good sense of smell and quickly notice when water has been sitting for a long time. Dust, hair, food residue, or saliva can make the bowl less appealing.
Change the water at least once a day and clean the bowl thoroughly. In warm weather or when multiple cats use the same bowl, more frequent changes may be necessary.
Your cat prefers running water
Some cats ignore their water bowl but are immediately ready as soon as the tap is turned on. Moving water can appear fresher and more interesting than still water.
A drinking fountain can help in that case. The soft sound and movement attract attention and can encourage your cat to drink small amounts more often.
Does a drinking fountain really help?
A drinking fountain can be a good solution for cats who like to drink from a tap or are curious about moving water. The water stays in motion and is usually filtered.
Not every cat will immediately react enthusiastically. First, place the fountain next to the familiar water bowl and give your cat time to get used to it. Leave the regular bowl for now, so there is always a familiar drinking spot available.
Clean the fountain thoroughly regularly. Even when the water appears clear, food residue, hair, and a slimy layer of dirt can build up in the reservoir and pump.
How can I get my cat to drink more?
You don't have to force a cat to drink. It works better to make water appealing and easily accessible in multiple ways.
Place multiple water bowls around the house
Place a water bowl in different quiet spots. Think of the living room, bedroom, or a quiet hallway. This way, your cat will come across a drinking spot more often during her daily rounds.
In a multi-cat household, this is especially important. Not every cat likes to drink from the same bowl or dares to drink when another cat is nearby.
Try different types of bowls
One cat prefers to drink from a wide ceramic dish, while another chooses a tall glass. Try some safe shapes and materials to discover what your cat likes.
Make sure the bowl is stable and doesn't shift as soon as your cat leans forward.
Give wet food
Wet food is a simple way to increase overall fluid intake. Because wet cat food contains a lot of water, your cat automatically gets extra fluids while eating.
Don't switch completely suddenly if your cat is only used to dry kibble. Gradually mix the new food with her existing meals to prevent stomach upset and food refusal.
Add a little water to the food
You can mix a small amount of lukewarm water with wet food. Start with a small splash so that the smell and texture don't change too much.
Some cats also accept slightly moistened kibble, but don't leave wet kibble out for long. It spoils faster than dry food and can become unappetizing.
Keep the water clean and appealing
Wash water bowls daily and rinse them thoroughly. Do not use strongly perfumed cleaning products, as residual odors can actually deter your cat.
Fill the bowls with fresh water and check throughout the day for kibble, hair, or dust.
Can you add flavor to the water?
A little bit of water from water-based tuna or unsalted chicken cooking liquid can temporarily make the water more appealing. Only use this occasionally and without salt, herbs, onion, or garlic.
Flavored water should be replaced more quickly than plain drinking water. It can spoil at room temperature and attract bacteria.
Milk is not a good substitute for water. Many adult cats cannot tolerate lactose well, so milk can cause diarrhea or stomach upset.
How do you recognize dehydration in a cat?
A cat that doesn't get enough fluids or loses extra fluids due to illness can become dehydrated. Possible signs include:
- Dry or sticky gums
- Less energy and more sleeping
- Reduced appetite
- Sunken eyes
- Hard or dry stools
- Less frequent or smaller amounts of urination
With mild dehydration, the signs are not always clear. If you are unsure whether your cat is getting enough fluids, contact the vet. Especially in kittens, senior cats, and cats with a condition, dehydration can cause problems more quickly.
When should you go to the vet?
A cat that always drinks little visibly, eats well, urinates normally, and otherwise behaves healthily, does not necessarily have to be sick. A sudden change is more important than the exact number of times you see her at the water bowl.
Contact the vet if your cat suddenly refuses to drink, stops eating, becomes lethargic, repeatedly vomits, or has diarrhea. Straining to urinate, frequent trips to the litter box without producing urine, meowing while urinating, or blood in the urine also require prompt medical evaluation.
Especially a male cat who tries to urinate but produces little or no urine needs an emergency vet visit. A blocked urinary tract can be life-threatening.
Also pay attention if your cat suddenly drinks much more
Not only drinking little deserves attention. If your cat suddenly drinks significantly more water and urinates more often or in larger quantities, it could indicate a health problem.
Increased drinking occurs with kidney problems, diabetes, and an overactive thyroid, among other things. This is more often seen in older cats, but can also occur in younger cats.
Therefore, do not let a noticeable change go on for weeks. Make an appointment with the vet if the drinking or urination behavior is clearly different from normal.
Is my cat really drinking too little now?
It's difficult to tell how much a cat drinks just by looking at the water bowl. Water evaporates, multiple cats can use the same bowl, and some of the fluid comes from food.
Do you want to monitor it better? Fill the bowl with roughly the same amount of water every day and note how much is left after 24 hours. Temporarily use separate bowls if you have multiple cats. This will give you a better idea of changes, although exact measurement at home remains difficult.
Also pay attention to the overall picture. Does your cat eat well, is she active, does she urinate normally, and does she get wet food daily? Then drinking little visibly is often less alarming than it seems.
Make drinking as easy as possible
Cats often prefer to drink several small sips throughout the day. Therefore, place fresh water in different quiet spots, choose a wide clean bowl, and possibly try a drinking fountain.
Wet food or a little extra water mixed with the meal can help to further increase fluid intake. Don't change everything at once, but calmly see which adjustment your cat finds most comfortable.
If your cat suddenly drinks significantly less, shows other symptoms, or if you're concerned, contact the vet. In cats, a change in drinking, eating, or urinating is always something to take seriously.
