Does your cat not drink enough? How much does your cat drink and why is that important?

Why cats are unlikely to buy swimming trunks and why that can be problematic.

A question of origin

Cats are known to be reluctant when it comes to water. Although cats can swim, they probably wouldn't voluntarily plunge into the cool water. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule.

Unfortunately, many cats aren't particularly interested in drinking water. This is related to their ancestry. Our domestic cats are descended from the African wildcat, which originated in the northern regions of Africa and the Middle East. As a result, cats generally tolerate higher temperatures than most dogs, but they are also reluctant drinkers. They meet their fluid requirements not only through drinking, but also through their food, i.e., the liquid contained in their prey.

At around four weeks old, kittens begin to supplement their mother's milk bar with solid food and water.

Fluid requirements

How much fluid a cat needs depends on several factors such as temperature, activity, age and diet.
As a general rule, a cat should consume 50-70 ml per kg of body weight per day.
A cat weighing 6kg should therefore consume 300 to 420ml of fluid.
Especially for cats that eat exclusively dry food, it is particularly important to ensure they have access to sufficient water. Dry food contains only up to 10% moisture, while wet food contains up to 80% moisture.

Why drinking is so important

That cats aren't particularly fond of drinking is also evident in the smell of their urine. If you know, you know. Cat urine contains a large amount of urea and also ammonia – a pungent mixture that's quite persistent. Dried, crystallized urea starts to smell again when it gets wet.
Urea crystals in urine can become a real problem for the animal if they combine with other minerals to form urinary stones. This can not only cause the cat great pain, but in the worst case, it can be life-threatening.
Due to their ancestry and associated drinking habits, cats are prone to kidney disease. Whether it's chronic kidney disease (CKD) or other kidney conditions, the underlying cause is always waste products that remain in the cat's body and cannot be excreted by the kidneys. This leads to uremia and kidney damage. The animals are at risk of dehydration. Therefore, it is crucial that cats with kidney disease drink enough fluids. In some cases, intravenous fluids may be administered to support this.
Affected animals suffer from nausea and loss of appetite. Numerous special diets are available in pet stores, as kidney and urinary tract diseases are very common in cats.

Insufficient water intake not only negatively affects the urinary tract, liver, and kidneys, but also the digestive system. A lack of fluids can lead to hardened stools, which can cause constipation. In extreme cases, this can even lead to life-threatening situations.

Control is better

Cats are masters of compensation, and symptoms of illness are often only noticed late.
Therefore, it's important to observe and understand your pet closely. Even slight changes in behavior can indicate a problem. Of course, every pet has a bad day now and then, but if suddenly their favorite treat no longer tastes good, there's too much or too little feces or urine in the litter box, or your cat is drinking significantly more than usual, you should take a closer look. Increased thirst can point to kidney problems, diabetes, or thyroid issues. Veterinarians recommend monitoring water intake by measuring it and documenting it with a drinking diary if you suspect a problem.

How to encourage the cat to drink

Even though cats aren't big drinkers, each one has its own preferences.
Some cats love stale water, others prefer fresh. For some, there's nothing better than drinking from a glass, while others prefer a wide bowl because they can't stand the feel of their fine whiskers bumping against it.
Many cats love to drink directly from the tap, while others are put off by running water.
No matter what your cat's preferences are, there are a few things you should always keep in mind: It shouldn't drink from flower vases, Christmas tree stands, etc. This poses a risk of bacterial infections and poisoning. Drinking bowls should not be placed near the litter box and should always be kept clean and hygienic. If you have dogs in the household, your cat absolutely needs its own water bowl. While dogs tend to slurp their water all over, cats have a truly ingenious way of drinking. This is aided by the special structure of their tongue. For those who would like to see this in slow motion, we recommend the following YouTube video from Knuddel die Katz (External Content).

The water temperature is also important – it shouldn't be too cold or too hot. Ideally, it should be at room temperature, but many cats are said to prefer water between 30° and 35°C. This is likely due to their own naturally high body temperature.

To encourage your cat to drink, you can place drinking bowls in several locations around your home. A popular alternative is a cat fountain, as the splashing sound stimulates the cat's attention and playful instincts.
A particular advantage of a drinking fountain is hygiene. Depending on the model, various filters ensure reliable water quality. This significantly reduces the chances of bacteria and contaminants taking hold.
Some cats may initially be wary of a fountain, but usually it only takes a little patience and a few tricks, such as floating treats, to get the cat used to the device.

Conclusion

To spend many good and healthy years with your feline friend, it is therefore important to encourage him to drink, to observe his drinking habits and to accommodate his preferences.