7 Signs That Your Cat Isn’t Drinking Enough Water

Are you unsure if your pet is consuming enough water? We'll help you determine if your cat is drinking enough.

For a cat, drinking water is a crucial issue, as most cats are not particularly good at drinking due to their desert ancestry. Despite this, they still need adequate fluids, so as an owner, you must monitor your cat’s water intake. Additionally, veterinarians warn that a cat may refuse water if it is not feeling well. This is an essential indicator from them. To recognize problems early and prevent your cat from becoming dehydrated, you need to pay attention to the following signs.

Age also matters

As experts emphasize, younger and older animals react worse to dehydration. While a healthy adult cat can tolerate mild dehydration relatively well, an older or younger kitty is more affected by the condition. Similarly, pets with chronic illnesses are more severely impacted by inadequate hydration.

Dehydration occurs when an animal (or a person) loses more water than it takes in. This can be due to insufficient drinking, but certain health conditions, such as those involving vomiting and/or diarrhea, can also lead to dehydration.

In cases of dehydration, the levels of electrolytes such as calcium, magnesium, or potassium in the body change, usually decreasing. Since a proper electrolyte balance is essential for bodily processes, including organ function, disturbances in this balance can have life-threatening consequences.

Signs of dehydration can include:

• loss of skin elasticity;
• lethargy;
• reduced activity;
• panting;
• dry, pale gums;
• loss of appetite;
• sunken eyes.

How to check if your cat is drinking enough:

1. Check the cat’s gums: Carefully lift its lip and touch the gums. If they look pale and feel dry or sticky, its hydration is not adequate.
2. Pinch the skin above the shoulder blades: This test works only for young, healthy animals. In older cats, the skin naturally loses elasticity; this can also happen due to certain health issues. A healthy, young cat’s skin should be elastic and snap back immediately after you release it. If it forms a small tent and returns slowly, your cat might have a hydration issue.

What not to do!

If you notice the listed symptoms, take your cat to the vet as soon as possible! Dehydration is life-threatening and can quickly lead to death. Therefore, acting quickly can save your pet’s life.

Do not force your cat to drink or try to make it drink by force! This can lead to fluid entering the airways or lungs, which can worsen the problem or, in the worst case, result in tragedy.

Prevention

If you think your pet is not drinking enough—veterinarians recommend about 0.6 dl per kilogram of body weight per day—consider getting a drinking fountain. Most cats prefer running water. Additionally, place multiple water bowls around your home and regularly change their contents.

Incorporating more wet food into meals can also help increase your cat’s fluid intake.

What can cause a cat to become dehydrated?

Increased environmental temperature and the resulting heat loss are just one cause of dehydration. Various illnesses and health problems can also result in your cat not drinking enough or urinating more, leading to dehydration. Fever, the aforementioned vomiting and diarrhea, and diabetes can also be underlying causes.