Most cats don’t drink sufficient water. As a result of cats are so self-sufficient, we assume they know what’s finest for his or her well being, and plenty of instances they do. However I discovered the significance of getting a cat to drink extra water — with a medical scare that concerned a dehydrated cat. So, is your cat not ingesting water or is your cat not ingesting sufficient water? We’ve outlined what it’s essential find out about cats ingesting water, the way to get your cat to drink water and extra:
The cautionary story of 1 dehydrated cat
A cat not ingesting water may make for a dehydrated cat. Pictures by Phant / Shutterstock.
A cat not ingesting water may result in critical issues. A few years in the past, my cat Pugsley was spending a number of time within the litter field, straining to pee. Nothing was popping out. One thing instructed me this was not good. Once I picked him up round his center and he cried out in ache, I knew he was in hassle. It was Friday night time at 10 (in fact) and I rushed him to the emergency vet. Thank goodness I did.
Pugsley’s urethra was clogged with urinary stones — one of many uncomfortable side effects of a cat not ingesting water, or a cat not ingesting sufficient water. They’re like a “plug” of soppy, compressible materials consisting of minerals, cells and mucus-like protein. Urine backs up and the kidneys can’t take away toxins from the blood or maintain fluids and electrolytes in steadiness. This could result in loss of life inside 24 to 48 hours if not handled instantly.
Fortunately, Pugsley was handled in time, however the vet instructed me the No. 1 method to stop him from reblocking and presumably requiring surgical procedure was to maintain him hydrated. You higher imagine I began wanting into methods to get my cats to drink extra water.
However a blocked urethra isn’t the one medical subject that outcomes from a cat not ingesting water. Simply as with people, cats’ urinary well being is tied on to water consumption, so issues like urinary tract infections and crystals are much less seemingly in a well-hydrated cat. Digestive well being additionally advantages from elevated water consumption. I’ve made it a precedence to strive every little thing I can to get my cats to drink extra water.
Is your cat not ingesting water, or not ingesting sufficient water? Keep away from having a dehydrated cat by getting your cat to drink extra water:
1. Swap to a largely wet-food food plan
Canned meals merely has extra moisture. In response to my vet, that is the best method to get your cat to drink extra water and keep away from a dehydrated cat.
In case your cat gained’t eat moist meals, add water or broth to dry meals and see if he’ll eat that. In case your cat digs canned meals, add water or broth to it to make it even wetter. Some cats love the soupy consistency this creates.
2. Attempt ice cubes in your cat’s meals
It provides moisture and it’s like a little bit deal with for the cat. The dice takes on the meals’s taste, and whereas your cat’s licking the dice, he’s getting extra water, too. Ice cubes in your cat’s water bowl would possibly work with a cat not ingesting water, too. Some cats desire icy-cold water, similar to some people do.
three. Serve smaller, extra frequent meals
Consuming prompts thirst, so a cat not ingesting water would possibly drink extra water if he will get meals extra typically.
four. Place water bowls all through the home
Make it tremendous simple to your cat to get himself a drink by providing a number of agua stations all through the home. A cat not ingesting water may need hassle accessing the water in query. My cat Romeo loves ingesting water out of my cups. Leaving a number of strategically positioned ingesting glasses round would possibly entice your cat to drink extra water, too.
5. Concentrate on the water bowl’s location
A cat not ingesting water may not like his water bowl’s location. Maintain your cat’s water bowl away from his litter field. Would you wish to drink close to your bathroom?
6. Ensure that the bowls are refilled recurrently
Cats like recent water — and who can blame them? Ensure that to alter the water a minimum of as soon as a day and wash out the bowl utterly with cleaning soap and water recurrently to maintain it from getting slimy and gross.
7. Faucet into the tap
In case your cat is interested in operating water, use this as a fantastic alternative to get him to drink extra! A cat not ingesting water would possibly simply want you to show ingesting water right into a enjoyable recreation. Attempt operating the tap a couple of minutes a number of instances a day. Construct it into your morning and night routine, for instance, and create some good bonding time … over an extended, chilly drink of water!
eight. Taste the water
A cat not ingesting water would possibly drink flavored water! You’ll be able to attempt to make your cats drink extra water by flavoring it with a little bit of tuna juice or rooster broth.
9. Use cat fountains
Many cats like ingesting out of fountains. It would take some time for them to get the hold of it, however as soon as they do, they’ll adore it! Fountains are enticing as a result of the transferring water is fascinating to the cat and it stays recent. This undoubtedly helps when you overlook to alter your cat’s bowl day-after-day.
10. Experiment with various kinds of cat bowls
Cats are finicky about nearly every little thing (massive shocker!), and you may go forward and add ingesting bowls to that listing. Check a number of out (glass, stainless-steel, ceramic or plastic) and also you would possibly uncover your cat has a particular choice.
The underside line on what to find out about a cat not ingesting water
We are able to all stand to drink extra water, and your cat isn’t any exception. Serving to your cat to drink extra water has many advantages and helps you keep away from the harmful well being problems with a dehydrated cat. Extra water = extra peeing = more healthy kitty = happier all people!
Inform us: Is your cat not ingesting water? What strategies have you ever tried to get your cats to drink extra water? Tell us within the feedback!
Do you could have the alternative downside? Involved your cat is ingesting an excessive amount of water? Right here’s what to do >>
Thumbnail: Pictures by MaraZe / Shutterstock.
This piece was initially printed in 2012.
