Signs Your Cat Is Not Drinking Enough Water

Until something doesn't feel right, most cat owners are not concerned with the water bowl. Your cat passes by it without drinking. The gums appear a bit less pink than normal. Or the cat litter box has more of a smell than last week. Because cats generally drink less water than dogs, it can be difficult to know when normal drinking behaviour has changed. It is important to be able to spot early signs, figure out how much water the cat needs, and know when to seek assistance from a veterinarian.

How to tell if a cat is dehydrated

Cats do not usually present with a single symptom of dehydration. The 6 early signs of dehydration in cats are not always easy to notice unless you're looking for them.

• Dry or tacky gums – gums should be slick and moist. Run a finger along them; if they feel sticky or dry, it may be one of the first signs that something is amiss.

• A slow cat skin tent test – Gently lift a fold of skin between the shoulder blades and release slowly. Skin which remains tented or takes time to return may signify reduced skin elasticity and dehydration. However, this test is merely a rough guide. A cat's age and body condition can affect the reliability of the test. (Source) 

• Lethargy – A dehydrated cat will generally appear subdued and less interested in play than normal, before any of the physical signs are seen as “abnormal”.

• Cat dark urine: When the body is trying to conserve water, urine may appear dark or concentrated. However, other factors may cause urine colour changes, making it important to view urine colour as a sign and not a diagnosis.

• Sunken eyes: Sunken eyes can suggest a significant dehydration and require a quick veterinary assessment. 

• Reduced appetite– Cats that don't drink enough may also show a reduced appetite, since dry food is harder to eat comfortably without enough moisture on board.

The two most practical home tests are the gum check and skin tent test; when used together, they will give you a good idea if your cat is dehydrated or not. If it's more than mild, it should be given a same-day vet appointment, not a wait-and-see.

Why Cats Are Naturally Bad at Drinking Enough Water

This is not just because of behavioural issues; it is largely connected with their biology. 

House cats come from the African wildcat, Felis lybica. This cat was able to adapt to life in deserts and was a skilled hunter. It got all the moisture it needed from its prey and did not need water from anywhere else. Since more than 70% of a prey animal’s body consists of water, cats get thirsty; however, they never developed a strong thirst drive. This trait has not disappeared even though house cats eat food from their bowls now.

This is where dry, kibble-only diets cause problems. Generally, kibble has a moisture content of 6-10% that is far removed from the 70% + a wild cat would obtain from prey. If a cat only eats dry food, it must actively seek out and consume water to fill that need. Some cats may not compensate for the lower moisture content of dry food by drinking enough water from the bowl. This gives the cat a normal appearance and behaviour, with a low level of dehydration going on, right under the surface.

The India-Specific Water Problem: Hard Water and Fluoride

Water quality and taste may also factor in a cat’s choice of drinking bowl. In India, domestic water varies in mineral composition and processing depending on the regional supply. Hardness, chlorine and fluoride content may differ from place to place. Cats have a much better sense of smell and taste than we do, and if a bowl of water smells "off" just a little, it may not be enough to make the cat take a sip of it. While there are many reasons your cat may turn its nose up at food, if she is drinking from a dripping tap or a glass placed on the counter but avoids the bowl that you refill daily, it may be the quality or taste of the water. For owners looking for a cat drinking fountain India option, moving water may be worth considering if a cat prefers drinking from taps or other flowing sources.

How Much Water Should a Cat Actually Drink?

As a general rule, the amount of water cats should be drinking each day, minus the water they're getting in their food, is about 44-66 ml per kg of body weight; however, individual requirements vary. This equates to approximately 200-240ml a day for a cat that weighs about 4kg. If a cat's diet is largely made up of wet food, it will not drink a lot from the water dish, since most of this water is contained in the food. A cat that's eating only dry food must cover up that whole amount at the water bowl, and that is the group that is most apt to fall short.

How to Encourage Your Cat to Drink More

Some regulars can make a big difference; none of them involves forcing.

• Try placing wet foods where possible. Adding a small portion of wet food to a dry one can certainly contribute to the amount of water that your cat consumes in a day, even if your kitten isn't eating the wet food exclusively.

• Establish multiple water sources. Cats are territorial creatures and can be easily confused in this regard. This is because a second or third bowl away from the cat litter box and food is used more than the original.

• Tap into their preference for moving water. Running or moving water is a favourite of cats, as it looks like fresh and safer water in the wild. A cat drinking fountain taps into that instinct, and for cats who have been quietly refusing a still bowl, an automatic water fountain for cats will probably be the easiest modification to return them to regular water consumption.

This is not a substitute for a vet appointment if your cat is exhibiting more than mild symptoms. While these are small daily changes, they can make a big difference for a cat who is otherwise healthy and help prevent dehydration from being a nuisance day in and day out.

When Should You Take a Dehydrated Cat to the Vet?

It is possible that when observing some alteration in drinking habits of your pet, it is just a change of preference. However, if your cat is drinking much less water than usual, has dry gums or sticky gums, looks uncharacteristically lethargic, does not eat, is vomiting, or is showing other alarming signs of dehydration, make sure you contact your veterinarian.

That being said, a drastic change in drinking habits may sometimes indicate some health problems. 

If your cat shows a marked decrease in water consumption, has dry or tacky gums, appears lethargic, refuses to eat, has vomiting episodes, has diarrhoea, or displays any other serious symptoms, consult your veterinarian. More severe symptoms such as general malaise, sunken eyes, extremely dry gums, or a change in the response to stimuli call for immediate veterinary help.

Frequently Asked Questions