How To Get A Sick Cat To Drink

Simply like you, information technology's of import for your cat(south) to stay hydrated – so they'll feel well and stay healthy. If you take a cat not drinking water, watch out: this could be a sign of illness or injury in your feline friend. In this article, we'll comprehend how much h2o a true cat needs, why a cat might cease drinking water, and what you tin can do to get your cat drinking again. If you enjoy this commodity, check out our other cat-friendly articles here.

Tabular array of contents

How much h2o does my cat need?
Why did my cat end drinking h2o?
Signs of dehydration in cats
When is a vet needed for a cat not drinking h2o?
Can I feed my true cat milk instead of h2o?
How to get a cat to drink h2o

How much water does my true cat need?

A true cat'south daily water requirement depends on several factors, for example: their age, size, diet, and the time of year. In full general, kittens and elderly cats demand more than h2o than adult cats – as do very active cats or those in warm climates and sunday.

In general, an adult domestic cat which weighs 5 kg should potable approximately 250 ml of water – or just over one cup – per day.

Withal if your cat is very active outside, or eats only dry food (which contains less water than wet food), your cat may demand more than 250 ml. Y'all vet will be able to tell you exactly how much water your cat needs each day. Just there's no need to mensurate out exactly this amount – provide your cat with admission to a clean, fresh water supply all day long and let them potable as much every bit they demand.

If your cat is taking less trips to the water bowl than normal, refusing to drinkable at all, or fifty-fifty drinking a lot more water than normal, you need to be concerned about your true cat's water intake.

Why did my cat stop drinking water?

Many times, when a cat stops eating or drinking water, it is a symptom of a larger illness that will demand to be treated as soon as possible. The underlying illness might be:

liver disease
kidney illness
cancer
periodontal illness ^one

Other less-serious potential reasons for a cat not drinking water include cleanliness, material, and location of the h2o bowl, changes in diet, activity level, temperature, surgery and age of the cat. If the water source is muddied or tainted, if the bowl is beingness shared with another animal, or if the h2o bowl location has changed recently, these could all be reasons why your cat stopped drinking water.

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Signs of aridity in cats

If your true cat is not drinking enough water to meet their daily needs, they may become dehydrated. This tin lead to bug in the cat's energy, organ and peel wellness. Aridity is acquired past drinking too niggling water or urinating at a faster rate than they consume water, or past more serious factors such as blood loss, vomiting, heat stroke, diabetes, and kidney disease².

Symptoms of dehydration include:

dry, non-rubberband skin
loss of appetite
drooling
panting
urinating excessively or infrequently
weakness
trembling
increased heart rate

Exist certain to have your cat to the vet every bit shortly as possible if yous discover any of these symptoms; your cat may be dangerously low on electrolytes.

When is a vet needed for a cat not drinking h2o?

If you have a cat non drinking h2o for 48-72 hours, or shows other worrisome symptoms, such every bit languor, loss of ambition, or changes in urination/defecation, have your cat to the vet every bit presently as possible.^one Your vet will be able to assess your true cat's wellness to determine if they are suffering from dehydration, whatever of the illnesses in a higher place or some other status which may require medical attending.

Can I feed my cat milk instead of water?

Cats only demand ane matter to stay hydrated – water. Generally, milk is bad for cats due to the fact that well-nigh are lactose intolerant and volition get sick (with for instance, diarrhea and vomiting) in example they drink milk. So it's all-time to avert feeding your cat milk, unless it is the kind specifically made for cats³.

Due to its loftier fatty content, cats may enjoy the taste of milk. Only avoid giving your cat milk – or else you will likely have a ill kitty on your hands.

Instead of feeding your cat milk, follow our recommendations below to go your cat drinking water over again.

How to get a cat to drink water

In that location are several tips and tricks you can try to become your cat to drinkable more water or increment their water intake. However, if these tips don't piece of work, remember to consult your vet if the cat does non drink for 48-72 hours.

Add some water into their wet nutrient.
Wash the h2o bowl daily – go along information technology make clean.
Serve water in a drinking glass, ceramic, or metal bowl – not plastic.
Try using a water fountain.
Place different water sources effectually the house – your cat may like some better than others.
Exist certain to place the food and water bowl away from the litter box.
Divide the food and water basin – some cats will not like these together.
Run the tap and see if kitty drinks.
Feed wet food in the concurrently to ensure your cat does non become dehydrated.
Add (unsaltened) tuna or craven broth or crushed catnip to your cat'southward h2o to tempt them to potable.
Try giving your cat bottled water instead of tap.
Add ice cubes to the water bowl.

For more data and inspiration about getting a true cat to drink water, check out the video below. And don't forget to monitor your cat'due south daily activeness with a Tractive GPS Cat Tracker!

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