Evolutionarily, cats and their ancestors didn’t need to drink much, because they got most of their water from eating live prey. Now, housecats subsist on dry food diets and need to drink more, but they often refuse. A constant state of low-level dehydration can eventually take a toll, and most cats would benefit from increasing their water intake. Most cat owners would agree, however, that this is easier said than done. Our Family Veterinary Care of Oakdale team has compiled a list of tips and tricks to help pet owners increase their cat’s water intake without a big fuss.

Why is water intake important for cats?

Hydration is important for all pets—without adequate water, the body quickly shuts down. Many cats drink too little, because their brains are not wired the same way as dogs, who often drink a large amount at one time. Chronic, low-level dehydration in cats can contribute to the development or worsening of several health conditions, including bladder inflammation, bladder stones, and constipation. Cats with conditions that cause dehydration, including diabetes or kidney disease, may struggle to maintain adequate fluid balance, because they can’t drink enough to counteract their daily fluid losses, which leads to overall deterioration.

Tip #1: Switch to canned cat food

Canned foods contain significantly more moisture than dry food diets and switching to canned food is the simplest way to ensure higher fluid intake. However, changing a cat’s diet requires patience, because cats who have never eaten canned food are unlikely to accept the new texture. Transition to canned food by adding a little to the dry food each day or offering both foods side-by-side, gradually increasing the amount of canned food and decreasing the dry food over several weeks. Alternatively, try adding increasing amounts of water to the dry food.

Tip #2: Try different bowl materials or placement

Your cat may drink more water if you change the bowl placement, add more bowls, or offer different bowl materials. Try offering your cat water from different bowl materials such as plastic, stainless steel, ceramic, and glass bowls placed side by side to learn your cat’s preference. Once you know, place bowls in multiple places around your home, so one is always nearby, choosing locations that take into account where your cat feels safe. For example, can they access the bowl without being harassed by other pets or frightened by nearby appliance noises?

Tip #3: Change your cat’s water daily

Cats hate to be dirty, and they are unlikely to drink water from a dirty bowl. You may think the bowl is clean, but not your cat, so wash all water bowls and replace the water daily. You can also try offering spring water in case your tap water has an offensive smell or taste.

Tip #4: Try a cat water fountain

Water fountains are a great way not only to entice your cat to drink more water but also to provide entertainment. The moving water will attract your cat’s attention and may taste better or cleaner, because most fountains include a filter. Before you purchase a fountain, consider that you won’t need to change the water daily, but you’ll need to disassemble and deep clean the fountain at least weekly to avoid scum buildup. You’ll also need to purchase and replace filters every few months, according to the manufacturer’s recommendation.

Tip #5: Treat your cat’s dental disease

Dental disease is a common, painful oral condition. Cats are particularly prone to a dental problem called a feline oral resorptive lesion (FORL) that essentially dissolves affected teeth from the inside out. As you can imagine, FORLs are incredibly painful, and drinking cool water can send a jolt of pain into exposed tooth roots or nerves. Our veterinarians can diagnose your cat’s oral disease on physical examination and may recommend an anesthetized cleaning and treatment process to eliminate oral pain.

We all know that convincing cats to do something can be a challenge, but our tips may improve your cat’s daily hydration and prevent urinary or digestive tract problems. If you’re concerned about your cat’s hydration levels, water intake, or food intake, contact Family Veterinary Care of Oakdale to schedule a visit and rule out serious health problems.