Cats are animals that do not usually drink a lot of water. However, if they don’t drink enough per day, they can become dangerously dehydrated, leading to other health problems. On the contrary, an excess of water can also be a symptom of illness. The most important thing is that, in one case or another, the animal ALWAYS has fresh, clean water available. In these articles you can find all the information you need:
- Why does my cat drink a lot of water?
- My cat does not drink water
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What is the amount of water a cat should drink to be healthy?
There is no exact measure of water because, in addition to depending on the preferences of each cat, other factors such as diet, time of year or age also influence.
The type of food you give your cat has a lot to do with the level of fluids it ingests. A cat that eats food will not drink the same as one that eats wet food. Dry food hardly contributes water, less than 10%; on the other hand, wet food contains around 80% moisture. Therefore, the diet will greatly influence how much water a cat should drink from its drinking fountain.
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As for the time of year, like us, cats will drink much more water in summer than in winter. Therefore, do not be alarmed if at one time he drinks a lot and at another very little because it is probably the amount of liquid his body needs.
Age is also a factor, as kittens and elderly cats drink more water than adult cats. Exercise and breastfeeding also increase your water intake.
How much water should my cat drink?
Like food, the time of year and other factors influence the amount of water they drink, the size of the cat too. A cat should drink a minimum of 50 ml and a maximum of 100 ml of water per day per kilo of weight. This would be between 200 and 400 ml of water a day for an adult cat weighing about 4 kg. You only have to worry if your cat’s intake is lower or higher than the ranges we have discussed.
Do not forget that, to know how much water a cat should drink, you must bear in mind that, if your cat eats feed, he will have to drink more; if on the contrary, you give him wet food, he will need much less.
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Problems caused by water deficiency
- Dehydration
- Urinary system disorders: infections, crystals in urine, kidney stones
- Chronic renal failure
- Liver failure
- Halitosis
- Skin problems
- Constipation
Problems related to excessive water intake
- Chronic renal failure
- Feline diabetes mellitus
- Feline hyperthyroidism
- Urinary problems
It is important to know how much water a cat should drink to anticipate these types of problems and not put its health at risk.
How to calculate the amount of water my cat drinks?
The first thing you have to know is how much water fits in your cat’s drinking fountain, that is, what is its capacity. If you don’t know, just measure the water before filling it.
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Fill the drinker in the morning and, if you haven’t drunk it throughout the day, calculate the remaining part at night so you can easily find out the exact amount you’ve consumed. If, on the other hand, your cat runs out of water before the end of the day, it is important that you recalculate the amount you fill to add the total afterward.
Why do cats drink little water?
In the past, wild cats lived in desert areas where they did not have easy access to water. For this reason, his organism adapted and became resistant to dehydration, being able to endure a long time without drinking. In addition, most of the water was obtained directly from their prey.
Despite their evolution, domestic cats continue to maintain this characteristic, which is why they do not need to ingest as much water as other animals. In addition, in the same way, they continue to obtain much of the water their body needs through prey or wet food. According to some studies, cats that hunt and eat rodents or birds need a minimal amount of water, even zero.
Do not forget to consult with your veterinarian any questions, as well as how much water your cat should drink if it has any disease or is overweight.
