INCREASINGWATERINTAKE

Encouraging your cat to drink:a guide for caregivers
There are many medical conditions, including
kidney and bladder problems, for which it
would be beneficial to increase the amountof water that cats drink. This guide provides
hints and tips to help caregivers find methods
that work best for each individual cat.
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Image source: Adobe StockIntroduction: cats’ individual
preferences and needs
The domestic cat’s ancestors were desert
dwellers and derived most of the water theyneeded for survival from a diet of live prey. As aresult, the pet cats we know today tend to drink
less water than dogs (though this may varydepending on their diet) and have retained theability to produce highly concentrated urine.
This is a useful adaptation for living in thedesert but can cause problems for moderncats, and there are a variety of situations andmedical conditions where drinking more water
would be helpful (see box). For example, if cats
have an illness that means they produce moreurine, they can become dehydrated and unwell
if they do not drink enough water. Additionally,cats with bladder or urinary problems canbenefit from a higher water intake.
Encouraging cats to drink more fluids can bechallenging as each cat will have individual
preferences and needs. In households withmore than one pet the challenge may beeven greater, as each pet’s preferences andrequirements need to be considered. For
example, cats may not want to drink from abowl used by another cat or a dog, even if they
get on well. Fortunately, there are lots ofpractical hints and tips, which are summarisedin this guide, although it is important always
to introduce changes gradually, as cats do not
like sudden changes to their food and water
resources, and may take some time to getused to them.

How do I know if my cat
is drinking enough?

As caregivers, we tend not to witness ourcats drinking, particularly if they are fed a wet(canned/pouch) diet. This is not a concern if
there has been no overall change in drinking
habits, and the cat is well, with no obvious
health concerns. Many cats, in fact, prefer todrink in private or outdoors, so it might just bethat they are drinking when we are not looking!

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The information in this guide is relevant
for all cats, but particularly those withmedical conditions where drinking more
will be helpful. It is important to be awarethat there is also such a thing as drinking
too much water (see box on page 3).

Which cats might benefit
from an increased water
intake?

Medical conditions and other situations
where cats could benefit from drinking
more water include:• Kidney disease Affected cats arevulnerable to becoming dehydrated,which can result in constipation, lossof appetite and even worsening of theirkidney condition• Cystitis (bladder inflammation)
Production of dilute urine can help
prevent relapses of this and someother bladder conditions• Urinary stones (uroliths) Increasing acat’s water intake can be a vital part ofdisease management, and help to prevent
further stones forming in the bladder andother parts of the urinary system• Diabetes mellitus (‘sugar diabetes’)
Diabetic cats, and particularly thoseon certain medications, need to avoid
becoming dehydrated, so drinking
enough is a must
• Cats receiving medications such as
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs) Maintaining hydration bydrinking enough can be important tohelp avoid complications. For more
information, see International Cat Care’s
Cat Carer Guide to ‘Treating chronic(long-lasting) pain with NSAIDs’(available at icatcare.org/
advice/cat-carer-guides)

Keep an eye on drinking
levelsToo little
If you are concerned that your cat may
be dehydrated, it is always best to contact
your veterinary team, who will be able
to administer fluids safely, if needed.
Forcing cats to take water (or food)with a syringe is never recommended
as it is highly stressful for cats and canactually cause illness if water enters thecat’s lungs.

Too much
Although drinking water is essential forsurvival, excessive drinking of water(polydipsia) can be a sign of an underlying
problem such as diabetes mellitus,
kidney disease or hyperthyroidism(overactive thyroid gland). There may
be other accompanying signs, such as
weight loss, increased hunger or changes
in behaviour. If you are worried that a
cat in your care is drinking more water
than is normal for them, speak to yourveterinary team.

How to offer water
Types of water bowl

Every cat is different, but most cats generally
prefer to drink from:• Glass or ceramic bowls (Figure 1);• Wide and shallow bowls;• A bowl that is filled to the brim.
Cats tend to prefer bowls with these attributes
because it prevents their whiskers from touching
the sides and getting wet, and also avoids
them having to put their head deep into a bowl,
which may make them feel vulnerable. Try
experimenting with different types of water bowls
and containers, including different materials,
to see which ones the cat prefers. Note, however,that metal bowls are noisy, cold and reflective,
which may deter some cats. Plastic bowls haveother disadvantages in that they
can be easily scratched andretain bacteria.
Cats with osteoarthritis (alsocalled degenerative joint
disease) or reduced mobility
may prefer a bowl that is raised
off the ground (Figure 2)
or even a tall plant pot or a
non-breakable tumbler to drink
from, as it may be painful forthem to crouch down to drink.

Figure 1: This cat is drinking from a wideand shallow ceramic bowl in the garden.
This bowl might have naturally filled withrainwater, which some cats actively prefer.
Source: Sam Taylor

See International Cat Care’s Cat Carer
Guide to ‘Changes to the homeenvironment for cats with muscle/joint
pain or mobility problems’(available at icatcare.org/
advice/cat-carer-guides) for a
description of how other simple
modifications in the home can
improve a cat’s comfort andquality of life.
Figure 2: Many cats withosteoarthritis or mobility problems
prefer a water or food bowlthat is raised off the ground.
Source: Sarah Collins

3Regardless of the type of water bowl, all water
should be provided fresh daily, and thecontainer cleaned on a regular basis (daily,
if possible, with soap or dishwashing detergent
and hot water, and then rinsed well). Mould andbacteria can easily build up in food and water
bowls, which may not only affect how the water
tastes, but also presents a health risk. Somecats like to drink from bowls that collectrainwater outside (see Figure 1) and, likewise,
these should be regularly emptied and cleaned.

Number and location of water bowls

When it comes to encouraging cats to drink,the location of water bowls around the home
is as equally important as the type of water
bowls. If a cat does not have to go very far tofind a water source, they are more likely to takethe opportunity to drink. Figure 3 illustrates
how a cat friendly approach is applied to
the location of a cat’s resources throughout
the home. In terms of water bowls/sources
specifically, cats should have:• At least one water bowl per cat in
the home, plus an additional bowl;• At least one water bowl on every floor of thehome, positioned in quiet locations (away from

Figure 3: The number and location of water bowls
in the home are important considerations.
Source: International Cat Care4abFigure 4: A cat’s sense of comfort andsecurity when drinking is enhanced bypositioning the water source appropriately.
(a) This cat likes to drink from a tall glass.
Note that open space around the glass on
three sides means the cat does not haveto turn their back on their surroundings while
drinking. Source: Sam Taylor.
(b) This water fountain is positioned
away from the wall to allow the cat toview their surroundings while drinking.
Source: Adobe Stockdoors, noisy appliances, thoroughfares,etc) and away from litter trays;• Easy accessibility to their water bowls,
preferably from all sides (eg, bowls
should be positioned away from the wall
to prevent the cat from having their backto the room when drinking, which may
make them feel vulnerable; Figure 4);• Separate bowls for the cat(s) inhouseholds that also have dogs (thoughsome may prefer the dog’s water!);Why avoid
double feeders?
When given the
choice, cats preferfresh, clean water
sources awayfrom their eatingarea. Double
feeders withseparate divisions
for food and watermean the water
is in very close
proximity to thefood, and caneasily becomecontaminated.
They are best
avoided.

• A bowl of water in thesame room as the foodbowl, but not positioned
directly next to it (avoid‘double feeders’);• Water sources positioned
in high locations where thecat feels safe, such as on ashelf, bench or countertop,
ensuring that they are
secure and cannot beknocked off (Figure 5).
Cats with mobility issues
will require special
consideration, and likely
some assistance withaccessing these resources(eg, ramps or steps).
• Water sources outside(for cats with outdoor
access), close to the entry
and exit points of the home.

Alternative water sources

Many cats like to drink running or moving
water. Alternatives to simply providing waterin a bowl include a:• Pet water fountain Whether made of plastic(Figure 6), ceramic or metal, it is always
advisable to introduce a water fountaingradually, to ensure acceptance by the cat(see box on page 6). Water fountains must
be regularly disassembled and cleaned
thoroughly, plus the filter changed, as
recommended by the manufacturer;

Figure 6: This cat is drinking from a pet water
fountain. Source: Sam Taylor

Figure 5: This cat enjoys drinking froma glass positioned up on a bathroom
countertop. Source: Sheilah Robertson• Dripping tap While often not aspractical as a dedicated pet water
fountain, a dripping tap is usually
located at a height (Figure 7), whichcats often prefer;• Bowl of water with a floatingplay object A small light hollow ball(eg, table tennis ball) floating in a widebowl full of water may encourage
play, thus creating some movementof the water, which may stimulate
drinking.

Figure 7: This cat prefers to drink dripping waterfrom the tap. Source: Sam Taylor

5Some cats may also prefer to drink out of aclean bath or shower tray containing a small
amount of water, or an outdoor container(eg, plant pot) that collects fresh rainwater.
With any of these options, it is important to becareful to avoid toxins (poisons), such as
pesticide or fertiliser residue inside a plant pot,
or detergent/household cleaners. This extends
to glasses and cups of coffee/tea or otherliquids for human consumption that could
potentially be toxic to cats.

Introducing water
fountains

Some cats may need a little extra
encouragement when faced with novel
objects or experiences, such as a newwater source. A stepwise approach to
introducing a water fountain isrecommended:• Start by placing the fountain in thedesired location – without any wateror the motor turned on – allowing the cat
to investigate;• Once the cat is comfortable with thefountain, add water;• As a final step, turn on the motor.
Some models of water fountain may benoisier than others, and this is something
to consider if your cat is sensitive to noise.
Placing the water fountain on a silicone or
rubber mat can help deaden the sound by
reducing the vibration. Ensure the water
fountain is kept topped up with fresh
water, as some become noisy whenrunning low.

Wet food diets

Another key source of water is the cat’s food.
Wet cat food contains 70–80% water, so
feeding a wet diet can be a helpful way toincrease a cat’s water intake. Such diets, which
include pâté-style foods or meaty chunks
in gravy or jelly, are typically packaged ina can or pouch.

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It is important to speak to yourveterinarian before changing your cat’s
diet, and to introduce any changes very
gradually, particularly if your cat is used
to eating dry food. New food can beoffered mixed with the old diet, or try
offering the foods next to each other,slowly altering the proportions (reducing
the old, increasing the new). Bear inmind that each cat may have their own
preference as regards the style of wet
food (eg, jelly, pâté, gravy-type). Wet cat
food can contain fewer calories than dry
food, so ensure your cat is eating enoughby following the manufacturer’s
instructions and monitoring your cat’s
weight and body condition score.
An additional approach might be to add
small amounts of warm (not hot) water
to your cat’s wet food, slowly increasing
the volume over time. This can also be
tried with dry food; although, if left tosoak, the texture change may not beenjoyed – so, as always, follow your cat’s
preferences. Note that this strategy
should only be adopted if tolerated by
the cat and recommended by yourveterinary team.

Drinking water
preferences
Some cats may prefer a particular typeof water. Many cats, for example, avoid
water with high levels of fluoride.
Different types of water to try include:• Tap water – if safe for humanconsumption. For households with awater softener installed, it is worth
bearing in mind that some cats preferunsoftened water;• Rainwater – collected from the garden
in a clean container;• Still spring water – non-carbonated;• Filtered water – especially in areas
with hard water that is prone tolimescale build-up;• Room temperature water – some cats preferwater that is at room temperature over cold
water;• ‘Puddle’ water – many cats may preferdrinking from puddles, if given the choice, andthis can be mimicked with a bowl or dish placedoutside to collect rainwater (Figure 8).
Regardless of the type of water, it should
always be fresh. Mouldy or stale water, or waterthat has been contaminated (eg, through close
proximity to a food bowl, litter tray or cleaningproducts), must be avoided.

Flavours and textures

If plain water is not enough to encourage a cat todrink, there are flavoured options to try, including:• Water in which a piece of chicken or fish has
been poached (with no stock or added salt);• Liquid from a can of fish in spring water(Figure 9);• Prawns, meat or fish liquidised in water(producing a soup-like texture);• Tuna in spring water that is frozen into ice
cubes and added to water bowls;

Figure 8: This cat is choosing to drink
rainwater that has collected in a plant pot
over the water provided in the drinking bowl.
Source: Laura Watson
Figure 9: Somecats will
enjoy fish in
spring water,
supplemented
with extra
water. Source:
Sam Taylor

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• Warm water added to liquid treats;• Commercially available cat ‘soups’ (to which
extra water can be added).

Are the changes
making a difference?

For some cats, offering cat milk can help toboost hydration, but it can also upset a cat’s
stomach and reduce the amount of nutritious
food they eat. It is important, therefore, todiscuss this, and the other options presented
above, with your veterinary team. Not all
options are suitable for all cats (eg, those withcertain medical conditions). It is also importantthat your cat eats enough of their principal diet,and is not choosing a fishy soup over theirnutritionally complete and balanced food.

Despite following the advice in this guide,
which is summarised in the infographic
on page 7, you may still be unsure if yourcat is drinking enough, partly because
they may be using the new water
sources in private. If this is the case, havea chat with your veterinary team – yourveterinarian might be able to detect an
improvement in hydration when theyexamine your cat, or they may check theurine to see if it is now more dilute.

Liquids to avoid• Salty liquids such as brine, stockor gravy• Cow’s/sheep’s/goat’s milk (cancause diarrhoea)• Any liquid containing onions
or onion powder (a common
ingredient in stocks or gravies)

If you are still concerned that a cat inyour care is not drinking enough water,
contact your veterinary team to makesure there is no medical reason that may
be affecting their drinking behaviour.
It may be recommended that you speak
to an accredited clinical animal
behaviourist, as underlying stress-related
issues (eg, problem dynamics in a
multi-cat household) can also affect acat’s drinking behaviour and preferences.

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Our vision is a world where every cat is treatedwith respect, compassion and understanding.
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