Cats & Drinking Water

Many cat lovers believe that cats simply don’t like drinking water, however, some owners just never see their cat drinking.

As cats have evolved from desert dwelling animals which derived most of their water from eating their prey, it is true that they do not have a strong natural urge to drink frequently. If they are not keen on the water source available they would rather give it a miss. But this does not mean that that they don’t enjoy drinking water. And a good water intake is beneficial to help support urinary tract health.

The amount of water consumption depends on a variety of factors, including the size of your cat, the time of year and whether your cat's diet includes wet food or dry cat food only. If cats are given dry food only, they will require significantly more supplemental water to stay acceptably hydrated. Normally, a cat will require 2-4 ounces of fresh water in addition to its food. Dry food is only 10 percent water, while canned is approximately 80 percent water. So obviously your cat is going to drink a lot more water if you are providing dry food only.

Of course, you must always ensure that your cat has access to fresh, clean water, but have you ever considered how to offer that water so that your cat finds it appealing? Check out these simple tips and you may be surprised by the difference they can make to your cat’s water intake:

* Place water bowls well away from feeding areas. For cats, eating and drinking are entirely separate activities. From an evolutionary perspective, this avoids the risk of drinking water contaminated by bugs from the carcasses they are feeding on. On the same lines, don’t place water bowls close to litter trays – cats are far too sensible to want to drink near their toileting areas.

* Use china, metal or glass water bowls. Many cats dislike the taste of water in plastic bowls. A wider, shallow bowl that is full to the brim is often preferred, allowing the cat to keep one eye on its surroundings at all times while drinking.

* Place a few bowls around the house in different locations, not forgetting the upstairs if your cat spends time there. Cats are opportunistic drinkers and don’t tend to make a special trip to find their water. With a bit of experimentation, you may find that your cat has a favorite place in the house where they like to stop for a drink.

* If you have more than one cat, make sure there are enough water bowls to avoid any arguments. Cats don’t like queuing!

* Change your cat’s water frequently to keep it fresh. Many cats prefer moving water. Again, this instinct helps ensure that drinking water is clean and uncontaminated. Commercial water fountains are really beneficial for these cats.

How Can I Tell If My Cat Is Getting Enough Water?

There are a few simple signs that will give you a pretty good indication of your cat is staying hydrated:

~ Skin elasticity. Gently pull the skin at the base of your cat's neck (scruff). The skin should spring back when you release it. If it does not, your cat might not be getting enough water.

~ A shiny coat without dry flakes is a sign of hydration.

~ Your cat should exhibit normal physical activity and not be overly lethargic.

~ Is your cat urinating 2-3 times per day? You can tell if this is happening by checking your cat's litter box for medium-sized clumps.

Purchasing an automatic water fountain may be one way to get your cat to consume more water. Both Drinkwell and Petmate make drinking fountains for cats. Or, you may want to try Aspen Pet Cool Flow.  Depending on the fountain you choose, they can cost anywhere from $20 to $60.

~ Some cats don't like the taste of "hard" water which is high in concentrates of mineral salts. Try offering distilled or filtered water instead.

~ It might be necessary to rinse your cat's water bowl a couple times a day during the warmer months of the year when bacteria can form quickly.