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The modern day domestic cats’ ancestors were desert dwelling animals and because of this many of our family cats will drink very little water. This may be exacerbated by feeding a diet high in dry food which has a very low water content. Water intake is as important as food intake and it can be very beneficial for your cat’s long term health to encourage them to drink water.

It is important to always monitor your cat’s water intake, if you notice a sudden increase or decrease, it can indicate a potential health issue and you should ensure your cat is seen by one of our vets. For example, an increase in water consumption may be a sign of kidney disease or diabetes. The sooner you’re alerted to the change in water intake, the sooner your cat will be diagnosed and receive appropriate veterinary care.

You may also notice a change in the urine output of your cat. Any change in litter box habits or the amount or frequency of your cat’s urination could indicate a potential medical problem. We recommend that you consult one of our veterinarians if you notice a change.

There are a number of medical conditions in cats that can greatly benefit if you can successfully encourage your cat to drink more water including feline interstitial cystitis, other lower urinary tract disease, chronic kidney disease and constipation.

Ten Tips for Increasing a Cat’s Water Intake

1. Feed more wet food, canned food, broths or high quality fresh meat (for human consumption not pet meat).
2. Add water to your cat’s current food. Alternatively, you can add “wet” supplements or treats to your cat’s food. Examples of these would be water packed tuna and low salt gravy mixes.
3. Use flavoured ice cubes. Make these by boiling meat, a can of tuna or salmon in 2 cups of water. Simmer for 10 minutes and then strain into an ice tray and freeze. Place a prepared ice cube into your cat’s water bowl each day to add a ‘meaty’ flavour to their water. Make sure you also have an additional bowl with just plain water so your cat will have a choice. Some cats may enjoy batting the cube around. You can also freeze a little low-sodium chicken broth in plastic ice cube trays and then periodically drop one into the bowl.
4. Multiple water bowl locations. Multiple water bowls should be provided, located away from food and litter areas. Place extra water bowls in places around the house and garden such as upstairs, downstairs, in the porch and in the bedroom. Aim for a minimum of one for every cat plus one, ideally more. Position water bowls around the house so that one cat doesn’t have to cross another cat’s area in order to get to the water. This is especially important in homes where there is any tension between the cats.
5. Find your cat’s specific water bowl preference. Many cats have a preference for the type of container that the water is in such as glass, metal or ceramic. Many cats do not like drinking from plastic, which retains odours. Cats will also develop a preference for the shape of the container (large wide container, glass, mug, etc). Ensure every water bowl is regular cleaned and topped up with fresh water.
6. Find your cat’s type of water preference. Many cats prefer a specific type of water such as rain water, puddle water, bottled water or tap water. Try different types to find your cat’s preference. Some cats prefer flowing water (e.g., water fountains, a dripping tap) over still water.
7. Keep your cat’s water separate from their food. Many cats don’t like having their food and water close together. Some cats won’t drink water if it’s too close to their food source. If your cat uses a water bowl near their food, to avoid contamination from the food don’t use a double feeder that has food on one side and water on the other. It’s too easy for food particles to drop into the water.
8. Try a water fountain for your cat. These can be purchased online and there are multiple types available. Since many cats like playing with the water droplets at the kitchen or bathroom sink, offer the water fountain as a better alternative. Some fountains have flow regulators so you can adjust the water speed. Just as with a regular water bowl, make sure you keep the fountain clean. If you’re concerned about the cat making a mess with water all over the floor, you can buy place mats with raised edges that will keep any spills contained.
9. Leave some water in the bottom of a sink, bathtub, or shower. Many cats love playing or visiting these locations. Therefore, they are more likely to drink once they find an available water source here.  As a further aid, putting a shallow bowl under a slowly dripping tap will probably encourage your cat to drink more too.
10. Motion activated tap. If you don’t mind your cat being on the bench you can also install a motion-activated tap so the water will flow whenever they are near it.

Dr Martine

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