Water Intake of Cats
Don’t stress yourself out if your house cat does not drink much water. Cats drink relatively less water, compared to dogs and humans. But that does not mean they don’t need to drink any water or their body don’t not need it. The fluid intake recommendation is approximately 50ml of water per kilogram of body weight a day. A healthy cat with a weight of 4kg should drink about 200ml of water a day.
If you notice your cat drinking more water than it normally would then it is most likely a sign that there is something wrong. If you notice your cat drinking and peeing more than usual, then don’t wait for anything and contact your vet as soon as possible. There could be various reasons for this change in behavior which can only be determined by a veterinary doctor. It could be as simple as simple bladder infection or a symptom of kidney disease or even diabetes.
If you exclusively feed your house cat dry food and you notice that your cat seems to be drinking too little then simply mix some wet food in with the kibble. Cats generally like and find wet food tastier and that way, it will be consuming some additional fluids. A combination of dry and wet food is highly recommended, rather than choosing for one or the other. The wet food provides additional moisture, and hard kibble minimizes dental plaque on your cat’s teeth which can prevent any cause of kidney infection. You should always consider giving your cat different types of wet food each day also offers a wider variety of flavors.
House cats generally drink very little because their bodies have adapted to extract body fluids from their prey, and they are also able to sustain themselves during short periods of draught with ease without any water intake. Most importantly, if your cat continually drinks little to no fresh water, he or she runs the risk of becoming dehydrated. This risk could be very dangerous if your cat consumes only dry food.
You can approximate the amount by checking your cat’s water bowl each day to measure the water intake of your cat. Keep in mind that dry indoor air may cause much of the water to evaporate so leave margin for that. This method of measurement does not work if multiple cats share the same bowl. The best way is to check your cat’s hydration and health. While you should take your cat to visit your veterinarian at least once in three months for checkups, you can check your cat’s hydration level at home. The simplest method is to test your cat’s skin elasticity. Let us tell you how it works. Pinch between your cat’s shoulders, gently pull the skin upward, and then release. If the skin takes longer than a full second to go back in place, you have cause for concern. Cats are very slow to develop visible signs of dehydration, and in turn, take a long time to recover. In most cases of dehydration, additional fluid administration will be required. To prevent any further issues, be sure to change out the water frequently, add more bowls in separate locations, and switch him or her to a diet of wet food.
