猫への水の上手な飲ませ方～飲みすぎ、飲まなさすぎのときの原因もお伝え！ - MOFUCAT

How to get your cat to drink water well-Let us know the causes of overdrinking and underdrinking!

June 20, 2022

Many owners think, "I hear that cats are prone to kidney disease, so I want them to get as much water as possible." But they don't drink as much as I want. In this article, we will show you how to get your cat to drink water. We also tell you about the diseases and precautions that can be considered when a cat drinks a lot of water or does not drink at all, so if you are interested, please check it out.

What is the best way to get a cat to drink water?

Since the ancestors of cats were desert animals, modern cats inherit this trait and tend not to drink much water. In addition, the body is designed not to excrete excess water as urine or feces. As a result, it puts a strain on the kidneys and is prone to urinary problems. Some owners think that "cats = kidney disease", but that's not the case. To prevent your cat from developing kidney disease, it's a good idea to get him to drink as much water as possible. That being said, they don't seem to be drinking enough water... In such cases, wet food is an easy and surefire way. About 70 to 80% of the ingredients of wet food are water, so you can easily take in water with meals. You can also absorb water by moistening your meals. As another method,

make lukewarm
Place them in various places such as feeding areas, corridors, and bedrooms.
Try changing the material of the container (change to ceramic, glass, plastic, etc.)
Try changing the size of the container (cats tend to dislike having their whiskers hit the container)
Try changing the height of the container (if you have neck or back pain, a higher container is better)
Introduction of water fountain
directly from the tap
give boiled water
Add fish or meat broth

There are many other methods. Also, cats like fresh water, so it's important to change it frequently. They don't like cold water, so use room temperature or lukewarm water. Each cat has a different favorite way of drinking water, so try to find a watering method that suits your cat.

Prepare more than the number of animals + 1 drinking fountain

Let's prepare more than the number of breeding animals + 1 drinking fountain. It will be a countermeasure when there is a drinking fountain that you do not like so much or when you have spilled it. In the case of multiple dogs, there may be situations where you can't drink even if you want to. Let's find your favorite spots by placing them in various places. However, be careful not to be near toilets or near noisy washing machines and dryers.

Things to think about when your cat drinks a lot of water

Although there are individual differences, it is said that cats normally drink about 30cc of water per kg of body weight per day. A cat weighing 5 kg will be around 150 cc. If such a cat drinks more than 50cc of water per kg of body weight per day, there is a possibility that some kind of disease is hidden. The amount of water you drink varies depending on the season and the environment, but if you think, "I've been drinking more water lately," ask yourself, "How much water do you drink in a day?" ] for about 3 consecutive days, and consult your doctor. If your cat drinks too much water,

kidney disease
Diabetes
hyperthyroidism

disease may be considered. Kidney disease includes various diseases such as acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, pyelonephritis, and polycystic kidney disease. The most common of these are acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease. Acute kidney injury is caused by dehydration or urinary tract obstruction, which puts a sudden strain on the kidneys. The former is often life-threatening, but it is a disease that can be completely cured with appropriate treatment. The latter, on the other hand, is common in middle-aged and older cats, and the disease progresses gradually and is incurable. Diabetes mellitus is a disease that often occurs in middle-aged and older cats, and causes hyperglycemia due to insufficient or ineffective insulin, a hormone that lowers blood sugar levels. Diabetes in cats often has underlying diseases such as obesity, pancreatitis, and improper diet. It is treated with insulin injections and dietary management. Hyperthyroidism, which often occurs in older cats, is caused by thyroid hyperplasia, adenoma, and adenocarcinoma. Excessive secretion of thyroid hormone causes symptoms such as excessive drinking and polyuria, weight loss despite having an appetite, and excessive vocalization. Any disease can be diagnosed by taking a blood test, so if you are concerned, please visit a veterinarian for a check.

What to expect when your cat won't drink water

As I mentioned above, cats don't drink a lot of water, so if there is no difference in their habits, there is usually no problem. However, if you don't drink at all for days on end, it's a concern. No, but there are some diseases that are more likely to occur if you don't drink. For example, lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) is a general term for various diseases and symptoms that occur in the lower urinary tract from the bladder to the urethra, and it tends to occur in winter when the amount of water intake is low. Discomfort associated with urination causes loss of energy and appetite, and is sometimes life-threatening. Urolithiasis, one of the FLITDs, is a disease in which stones of components such as struvite and calcium oxalate are formed in the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. If a stone blocks the urinary tract, you will not be able to urinate, so emergency treatment is required. Concentrated urine increases the likelihood of stone formation and should be treated by increasing the amount of water consumed. In addition, there is idiopathic cystitis, which is one of FLUTD and is a common disease in cats. It is characterized by symptoms of cystitis, such as hematuria and frequent urination, although no clear cause can be found on examination. Cats that have multiple cats, frequently change their diet, or eat only dry food are more likely to develop the disease.

[Summary] How to get your cat to drink water well-Let us know the causes of overdrinking and underdrinking!

Cats are animals that don't drink a lot of water. However, not drinking enough water can lead to urinary problems. Therefore, it is necessary to make various arrangements so that cats can drink water deliciously. Once again, let's review the drinking environment of your cat!

Back to blog