Water Intake for My Cat: How Much Water Should a Cat Drink?

「Water is very important for humans, and it is also very important for cats!」
However, do you know how much water a cat has to drink every day?
Maybe you often water your cats, but is it enough for them?

Is Your Cat Drinking Enough Water?

Is your cat getting enough water? To be honest, there's a high possibility you won't know because you hardly see how much they go drink from their container. A cat's water requirements naturally rise when the temperature warms. Cats are very good at hiding indications of sickness, and it is frequently minor changes in their behavior that are early markers of major illnesses. So keep a steady and fresh water source for your cats before healthy issues come out. Many doctors prescribe a pet water fountain to assist your cat keep hydrated. Because many cats prefer flowing water, these fountains might encourage your cat to drink more and stay hydrated.

Wild cats drink little because their systems have evolved to absorb body fluids from their prey, and they can easily keep themselves hydrated during dry seasons. Your cat, on the other hand, is at risk of being dehydrated if he or she does not drink enough fresh water on a regular basis. This risk is heightened if your cat exclusively eats dry food. Thus, you should have a well knowledge of how much water should your cat take, and how much have he or she had now.

How Much Water Should a Cat Drink?

Typical guidelines state that a cat needs around 50 mL of water per kilogram of body weight per day, which equates to 200-250 mL per day for a 4-5 kg cat. The water amount can be satisfied by consuming water from liquids and food, or by consuming oxidation water created by metabolism. This indicates that burning 1 gram of protein, carbohydrate, or fat generates slightly less than 0.4-gram, 0.6 gram, and 1.1 gram of water, respectively.

Cats typically require 3.5–4.5 ounces of water per 5 pounds of body weight each day. A 10-pound cat should drink 7–9 ounces of water each day, which is almost half the size of an ordinary bottle of water. The crucial word here is "consuming" because cats do not take their water just by drinking. A can of wet food contains around 70–80 percent water. So, if your cat eats wet food, which is strongly suggested, they may obtain 3.85–4.4 ounces of water from a single can. That's half of their daily water supply.

You can't calculate a cat's water consumption just based on how much water they consume. If your cat is on a wet food diet, they won't need to drink much water in the first place. And when they do drink, it might be when you're out of the house or even while you're sleeping, so it's hard for you to take notes all the time.

Rather than attempting to catch your cat in the act, keep an eye on the water level in their dish at the end of the day. Take note of how much water is left over when you clean and refill their water bowls. Just be sure to fill the bowl to the same level every day, so you can notice when anything has changed.

Why My Cat Doesn't Like to Drink Water?

Cats don't drink much, to begin with, because they acquire most of their moisture from their food. To avoid dehydration issues and to learn how to urge your cat to drink more water, you must first discover why your cat isn't drinking enough. Here are a few reasons why your cat is not drinking the amount of water that it should.

• Health Problems

Cats suffering from dental infections, oral inflammation, or gastrointestinal illness may avoid drinking water owing to the discomfort it causes. Cats with underlying health concerns, such as renal disease, hyperthyroidism, some malignancies, and diabetes, are more prone to get dehydrated. Hot weather, excessive activity, vomiting, and diarrhea may quickly deplete a cat's water storage, so it's critical to understand what dehydration means for your pet and how it manifests itself.

• Changes in Behavior

Cats, like humans, love regularity, and any disruption in their daily lives may result in a hunger or thirst strike (think: house guests, a move, or frequent travel). Even a new variety of meals might cause a refusal to drink water. To assist, try slowing down changes and sticking to a regular pattern. Your cat may also drink less if he or she has a feline companion at home. Having many dishes around the house may assist reduce avoidance due to confrontation near the food and water bowls.

Signs of Dehydration in a Cat

As part of your cat's regular diet, make sure they get adequate water. If the cat does not drink enough water, he or she may get dehydrated. Cats who are dehydrated may have the following symptoms:

• Energy depletion
• Panting
• Refusal to consume water
• Eyes that are sunken
• Gums that are sticky and dry

If you gently pull a little amount of your cat's skin over its shoulders, it should soon return to normal posture when released. Your cat's skin will slip back more slowly if they are thirsty. The "skin tent test" is one of the most effective techniques to assess for dehydration in cats. It isn't ideal, though, because your cat's skin tent time is highly influenced by the amount of fat and muscle under the skin in the location where the test was conducted, as well as the overall condition of their skin. But it still can be a  way for you to take a simple test.

Dehydration can be indicated by dry, sticky gums. If a cat's gums are moist and, it indicates that it is well hydrated. Examine your cat to determine if he or she appears unusually tired or sluggish. Is it less probable that they will meet you when you get home? Keep an eye out for these behavioral changes. Cats do not wear pants frequently, although they may do so if they are hot, which may be associated with dehydration.

Another reason to scoop your cat's litter box on a regular basis; So, you can keep an eye out for changes in the urine. Remember that a cat who isn't peeing may be unable to do so, which can be an indication of a deadly urethral blockage.

When a cat refuses to eat, it is frequently an indication that something is wrong, even if it isn't dehydration. If your cat hasn't eaten in more than 24 hours, it's time to take him to the doctor. A cat that is vomiting or has diarrhea will soon become dehydrated, even if these are not symptoms of dehydration. A dehydrated cat may appear gloomy or sleepy, with sunken or dull-looking eyes. Take a pet first aid training, or ask your vet or clinic technician to show you how to monitor and measure your cat's heart rate.

How to Prevent Your Cat to Drink From The Toilet?

Most cats find toilet water quite appealing. The porcelain bowl keeps the water colder for longer. Cats take a dip in cold water. They may be domesticated, but they have been wild outside creatures for far longer than they have been our inside family members, and their instincts and characteristics have not changed. Cool water can be found in running streams and deep lakes.

Unfortunately, there are numerous bacteria in a toilet bowl that are harmful to cats. Bacteria are obviously not good for us, and if you have regular touch with your cat, the transmission is quick. Here are a few suggestions to keep your cat out of the toilet bowl:

• Most cats enjoy the sound of rushing water. Consider using a pet water fountain. Your cat will like the flowing water since cats consider it's more fresh and safe
• To keep the water fresh, change your cat's water bowl during the day.
• Place more water bowls all through the home.
• Purchase a porcelain dish to keep your cat's water fresh.
• Drop several ice cubes into the water dish on a regular basis to keep the water cold.
• Close the cover on the toilet bowl.

Tips to Get a Cat to Drink More

You'd be surprised at how sensitive most cats are to the placement of a water bowl. Even a little unexpected foot movement might deter your cat from taking more sips. To optimize your feline's comfort, provide fresh water dishes in different locations. You should consult your veterinarian before making any dietary changes, but wet food can be a terrific method to provide extra fluids to your cat. It is always more essential that a cat eats what they need but not what they want, and it is surprising that not every cat likes wet food, especially if it is their sole diet. Keep your cat's tastes in mind, and make sure he consumes enough of his diet to maintain his energy level and weight.

Cats may have a taste for a certain style of water. Cats often prefer broad, shallow bowls. Allow the cat to sit behind the dish of water so that it can view everything around it. Many cats are drawn to the movement and freshness of running water, which is why you may have seen them drink right from the faucet.  Flowing water is favored more by cats than still water, so a flowing water container instead.

Note: This article is written after years of experience in veterinary guidance, all content can only serve as a guide. For more detailed consultation, please contact your local veterinarian.