Ideal Hydration for Cats: Understanding Correct Water Intake

"My cat doesn't drink water at all..." "I'm worried about urinary stones and kidney disease." Many cat owners have these concerns.

Indeed, cats don't drink much water. Not only in the hot summer, but also in winter, you might worry if they are getting enough hydration.

This time, let's understand why cats don't drink water and think about how to encourage them to drink water effectively. We will also explain in detail the daily water intake required for cats, so please use it to help maintain your cat's health.

Why do cats drink so little water?

It is said that the ancestors of cats were African wildcats that lived in the desert. Due to the desert environment, they didn't have much habit of drinking water and instead got their hydration from the prey they caught.

To prevent losing body fluid, they produce highly concentrated urine with condensed waste products. It is believed that they adapted to survive with a small amount of water intake by doing so.

The reason why modern domestic cats don't drink much water is that they inherited this trait.

It is believed that cats do not feel "thirsty" much. Also, they dislike getting their whiskers, which are important sensory organs, wet when they put their face in water. If we understand why cats don't drink water, we can effectively take countermeasures.

Hydration is important for cats

Even though cats don't drink much water, they cannot live without hydration. They can live for about a month without food, but probably not even a week without water.

Insufficient water intake increases the risk of urinary system diseases such as urinary stones, cystitis, and kidney disease.

Also, dehydration is likely to occur. Caution is necessary not only in the hot summer but also in winter.

If your cat suddenly stops drinking water, or conversely, starts drinking a lot of water, it may be a sign of illness. To enable early detection, regularly observe your cat's water intake and the color and amount of their urine.

Daily water intake for cats

How much water should a cat drink per day?

Although it varies depending on the cat's weight, activity level, and seasonal factors, approximately the following amount of water intake is required:

[Daily water intake for cats]

Reference: Ministry of the Environment "Pet Food Guidelines - To Protect the Health of Dogs and Cats"

This may seem like a lot, but it is not necessary to get all of it from drinking water. Cats can also get hydration from their cat food.

While dry food has a water content of about 10%, wet food has a water content of about 75%. You can sufficiently hydrate your cat with mixed feeding, which involves combining wet food.

Effective hydration methods

For your cat's health, it's important to always provide fresh water.

However, getting a cat who isn't used to drinking water to hydrate effectively requires a little ingenuity. If you feel your beloved cat isn't getting enough water, try the following methods:

• Increase the number of watering spots

Don't just have one watering spot; set up multiple ones along your cat's usual paths.

• Do mixed feeding

Since dry food alone doesn't provide enough hydration, top it with wet food. This will not only make it more appealing to eat but also provide hydration at the same time.

• Give wet treats

Effectively use wet treats like Churu to help with hydration.

• Soak dry food in water or lukewarm water

Some cats will drink if the water has the smell of delicious dry food or is flavored.

• Give hot water or soup

In winter, cats sometimes won't drink because the water is cold. Changing drinking water to hot water or pouring soup over dry food is also recommended.

Is mineral water okay for cats?

Tap water or purified water is generally good for cats. While mineral water for humans doesn't have a chlorine smell and seems healthy, it may not be suitable for cats.

Mineral water contains many dissolved minerals such as sodium, calcium, and magnesium, and "hard water" in particular is rich in them. For cats, minerals can increase the risk of urinary stones.

If you give mineral water to your cat, always choose "soft water". Reconsider any mineral water you've prepared as emergency supplies.

Choosing a water bowl

To get your cat to drink water, in addition to the freshness, temperature, and smell of the water, the "bowl" is also important. If your cat isn't drinking much water, consider reviewing their water bowl.

The best type of water bowl depends on your cat's preference. Some cats have preferences for materials such as stainless steel, plastic, or ceramic. Try to figure out your cat's preference.

• Tall water bowls

Sometimes, just changing to a taller water bowl can encourage cats to drink. Perhaps it's easier for them to drink without having to bend their heads down.

• Automatic water dispensers with flowing water

Many cats will drink from automatic water dispensers that have water bubbling up like a fountain. The water is constantly circulated and filtered to remove debris, so they can always drink clean water.

• Automatic water dispensers with cascading water

For some reason, some cats like to drink water directly from the tap. Cats that dislike dirty water often prefer running water.

• Shallow dishes

Some cats seem to enjoy lapping water from the bottom of a shallow dish. Since only a small amount can be kept in these, you'll need to refill them frequently or place multiple dishes.

Summary

Cats are said to be susceptible to urinary system diseases such as urinary stones, cystitis, and kidney disease.

The cause of this is insufficient hydration. Cats naturally do not have a habit of drinking much water. Therefore, cat owners must support their cats' hydration.

However, simply putting water in a bowl won't always encourage them to drink. Try methods such as mixed feeding, which involves topping dry food with wet food, and using wet treats effectively for hydration.

It's also possible that your cat doesn't like their water bowl. Try using a tall water bowl or a circulating automatic water dispenser. 

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