Why Does My Cat Drink So Much Water
Cats are known for being picky eaters and especially when it comes to their water. Many people think that cats can survive on a diet of dry food alone, but this is not the case. Cats need more water than you might realize. Here are some reasons why:
Cats need more water than you think
When it comes to water, cats are a little different from dogs. They are desert animals; their kidneys and urinary tract need to be kept clean and healthy by drinking plenty of water.
If your cat is not often seen drinking water, this may be due to the type of food he eats. Cats have been designed by nature to get most of their liquids from the food they eat because it contains about 70% water content. So, if you feed your furry friend commercial pet food (dry kibble or canned), he will likely get enough liquid from that source alone. However, if you feed him home-cooked meals or raw meaty bones (including chicken necks), then he probably needs more moisture in his diet than just what’s present in his regular bowl!
Indoor cats do not get enough water
Indoor cats are more likely to drink more water than their outdoor counterparts. This is because they don’t get enough exercise and are therefore more prone to obesity, which can cause a host of health problems. As mentioned earlier, dry food is not sufficient for a healthy cat diet – it has little moisture and lacks many essential nutrients necessary for cats’ health.
In addition to this, indoor cats often have water fountains that encourage them to drink more than they need. The constant flow of water can make them dependent on it as their main source of hydration, which can lead to dehydration if they don’t regulate themselves correctly.
Cats are drinking less than they should
If you notice that your cat is drinking more water than usual, it’s time to take a closer look at what’s going on with his diet and his overall health. Cats need to consume more water than most people think; they actually require more daily fluid intake than dogs do.
- Some cats may be getting too much food, which can cause them to eat less water—so if your cat has recently started eating more canned food (a common cause) and is losing weight as a result, you might want to switch him back over to dry kibble until he gets back up to size.*
- Alternatively, if the opposite is happening—if your cat has been getting less canned food in an attempt to cut down on costs—you should consider switching him back over from dry kibble so that he doesn’t become dehydrated.*
Dehydration can cause a host of health problems in cats
Dehydration can cause a host of health problems in cats, including kidney disease, urinary tract infections, constipation, dry skin and lethargy. If your cat is drinking excessively it’s important to determine what is causing this behavior so that you can treat the underlying problem.
There are several reasons why your cat may be drinking too much water. Cats are known for being finicky when they’re hungry or thirsty; they’ll often turn up their noses at the food or water bowls you’ve set out for them if those items don’t meet their standards (which means we’re all guilty of making our cats wait until we make sure everything is just right). In addition to this issue being a matter of taste preference—as opposed to medical necessity—some cats have other reasons for excessive thirstiness such as physical discomfort or anxiety about something happening outside their environment (e.g., a loud noise during the night).
Dry food is not enough for a healthy cat diet
Cats require more water than dogs, and cats require more water than humans. A healthy cat diet is based on a combination of dry food and wet food. You should supply your cat with fresh water at all times, and be sure he or she has access to clean drinking bowls at all times too.
Cats need to drink more water on average than humans or dogs because they are not able to sweat like we do when they get hot or overexert themselves physically. They also cannot release heat through panting like dogs do because they don’t have large enough mouths for this purpose (and even if they did, it would probably look silly). Cats’ kidneys are much smaller than ours as well—this means that the amount of fluids they can produce at any given time is limited by their body size relative to ours; as long as there’s still plenty going in from outside sources then it shouldn’t cause any problems!
Check your cat’s water bowl every day
It’s not uncommon for cats to drink large amounts of water. In fact, some cats love to drink so much that they end up with chronic diarrhea and sometimes even death. This is especially true if their bowl is dirty or if it contains a foreign object like a toy or hairball.
But just because your cat drinks a lot doesn’t mean they’re going to get sick by doing so! Many times, the problem lies in what we feed them: dry food that contains very little moisture and lots of fillers can lead to dehydration and other health problems down the line when consumed in excess over time—which means monitoring how much water you pour into your pet’s bowl can be as important as checking out their tummy every day!
Get your cat multiple water bowls throughout the house
Water bowls placed in different locations will help your cat feel as if there is a water source everywhere. Cats are territorial animals and prefer to drink water in familiar places, rather than strange ones. This means that if you’re trying to train your cat to drink more water, you should get him a few new drinking stations around the house.
Cats also prefer their drinks at different heights. If you have hardwood floors and don’t want your pet running up on them, then placing several bowls on the ground will be necessary for getting him to drink more water. However, this method may not be ideal because cats often like having their food and water sources higher than they are themselves—which is why we recommend placing a bowl on top of something tall like an end table or nightstand so that it sits above eye level when sitting down near it (see: Cat Bed On The Floor).
In addition to height preference, cats also tend toward preferring cold over warm temperatures for their drinking needs; therefore having two different types of bowls can help encourage them into using both mediums instead of just sticking with one type all day long! And lastly: texture matters too! Cats enjoy licking from flowing faucet spouts because it feels soothing against their tongues; however this doesn’t mean that they won’t try out some other options either 🙂
Mix canned food with dry food to add moisture to the diet
If you have a cat that drinks a lot of water, then you may want to look into adding some moisture back into the diet. Adding canned food can be an easy way to do this. Canned food contains more moisture than dry food, so it will help provide your cat with extra hydration.
Canned food can be mixed with dry food in order to add moisture back into their diet and provide them with more fluids. Canned foods are also highly palatable and most cats will eat it without issue once they taste it! There are many different kinds of canned cat foods on the market today—from premium brands like Fancy Feast® brand cat foods available at most stores, as well as grocery stores or online retailers such as Amazon Prime Now™ (available by clicking here). The best part about these products is how easy they are for humans too! All you need is a spoon or fork (or even just your fingers) and then voila – dinner’s ready!
Add a pet water fountain for an appealing alternative to still water bowls
If you have a cat, chances are he or she drinks quite a bit of water. In fact, many cats can drink up to 10 ounces of water each day. This is because cats are carnivores and require more fluids than humans do to maintain their health and wellness.
When it comes to feeding your cat fresh water, many owners opt for a bowl on the floor—which isn’t necessarily bad but may not be the best choice either. You see, drinking from an open bowl can be messy since some cats prefer not to lap their water (they’ll just tip over their bowl) and others will knock over their dishes after they’ve drunk their fill. Another option is adding ice cubes or frozen treats into whatever you leave out for them in hopes that this will compel them back after finishing off whatever was left behind in their food bowls previously that day!
Cats need much more than dry food, especially if they’re indoor only.
Cats need much more than dry food, especially if they’re indoor only. Cats on dry food diets tend to drink less water than those who eat canned or raw diets because their bodies have to work harder to digest the dry kibble. This can cause a host of health problems.
If you’re concerned about your cat’s water intake, it’s best to consult with your veterinarian about whether there may be other causes for your cat’s dehydration and what measures you can take at home in order to help combat it.
Cats need fresh water nearly every day. If your cat doesn’t drink as much as you think she should, check with your veterinarian. She may have a health problem that can be addressed with some simple changes to her diet and lifestyle.
