Thirsty Kitty? Here’s How to Make Your Cat Drink Water

As a pet owner, ensuring that your cat is always well-hydrated is essential. Unfortunately, cats can be quite picky about their water and may refuse to drink it if it doesn’t meet their standards. So, how do you make a cat drink water?

Using fresh water and adding flavorings to it can help encourage your cat to drink more of it. Placing bowls in locations your cat frequents and also using a cat fountain can increase how much water they drink.

Whether you have a finicky feline or just want to ensure that your cat is drinking enough water, this article will provide the information you need to ensure your cat stays hydrated and healthy.

We’ll will discuss some practical tips and tricks that you can use to encourage your feline friend to drink more water. From choosing the right water bowl to adding water to their food, we will cover everything you need to know to keep your cat hydrated and healthy.

Why is it important for cats to drink water?

While food is important for cats, nothing keeps them thriving more than a consistent intake of water. We have firsthand experience with this, a younger cat who often gets dehydrated if he doesn’t drink enough. Let’s focus there first.

The dangers of dehydration in cats

Dehydration is a serious issue for cats and can lead to various health problems. When a cat doesn’t drink enough water, their body can’t function properly. This can lead to serious health issues like kidney disease, urinary tract infections, constipation, and even death. Dehydration can also cause a cat’s skin to become dry and flaky and its fur to become dull and lifeless.

Some signs of dehydration in cats include lethargy, dry mouth, sunken eyes, and loss of appetite. Taking action immediately is essential if you notice any of these symptoms in your cat. Dehydration can be life-threatening, especially in older cats or those with underlying health conditions.

The benefits of staying hydrated for cats

On the other hand, staying hydrated has many benefits for cats. Drinking enough water helps to keep a cat’s body functioning properly, aids in digestion, and flushes toxins from their kidneys. It also helps to prevent bladder and kidney stones and can even improve a cat’s coat and skin health.

Drinking enough water is especially important for cats who eat dry food, as they don’t get as much moisture from their food as cats who eat wet food. It’s also important for cats who live in hot and humid environments, as they are more prone to dehydration.

To encourage your cat to drink more water, make sure they have access to fresh, clean water at all times. You can also add a little bit of water to their food or offer them wet food instead of dry food. Some cats also prefer drinking from a running faucet or a pet fountain, so try that as well.

How to Encourage Your Cat to Drink More Water

If your cat is anything like ours, then you know how important it is for them to stay hydrated. He’s very active, so we do a lot of things to encourage him to drink water. This includes switching up the bowls, the kind of water we use (filtered or bottled), and even interactive devices like fountains to help out. Let’s get into it.

Choosing the Right Water Bowl

Choosing the right water bowl can make a big difference in encouraging your cat to drink more water. Some cats prefer shallow bowls, while others prefer deeper ones. I noticed anytime we used a taller bowl, our cat would give up on drinking out of it and even knock it over sometimes.

You don’t want that.

Also, choose Ceramic or stainless steel bowls, they work better than plastic which can harbor bacteria and cause acne on your cat’s chin. Make sure the bowl is wide enough for your cat to drink comfortably and that it is cleaned daily.

Adding Flavor to Your Cat’s Water

Adding flavor to your cat’s water can make it more appealing to them. You can add a small amount of tuna water or chicken broth to their water. You can also buy flavored water additives specifically designed for cats. Be careful not to add too much flavoring, as it can cause diarrhea.

You can even use tuna juice, or frozen tuna juice ice cubes that will melt and cool down the water, making it even more refreshing for your cat.

Using a Cat Fountain

Cats are naturally attracted to moving water, so using a cat fountain can encourage them to drink more water. The water’s sound and movement can appeal to cats and help keep the water fresh. Make sure to clean the fountain regularly to prevent bacteria buildup.

The fountain we used with our cat had a rotating top, so it not only encouraged him to drink, but piqued his interest.

Placing Water Bowls Strategically

Placing water bowls strategically can also encourage your cat to drink more water. Place a bowl in each room where your cat spends time, such as the living room, bedroom, and kitchen. You can also place bowls near their food dish or in areas where they like to play.

Encouraging your cat to drink more water is vital for its overall health and well-being. By choosing the right water bowl, adding flavor to their water, using a cat fountain, and placing water bowls strategically, you can help ensure that your cat stays hydrated and healthy.

Drinking From The Fountain Or Toilet

Our cat Harley loves drinking from the toilets and sink fountains around the house. At first we discouraged it, but came to find out that he can tell the freshness of the water in those areas and naturally gravitates to it.

While we don’t let him do it often, if we notice he’s ignoring his water bowl and needs to be hydrated, we’ll sometimes let him do that just to make sure all is good.

Final Thoughts

As a cat owner, ensuring that your feline friend drinks enough water to maintain their health and well-being is essential. Just to recap things you can do to encourage your cat to drink more water:

• Providing fresh and clean water in a clean bowl
• Offering wet food or adding water to dry food
• Using a pet fountain to make drinking more enticing
• Placing water bowls in multiple locations around the house
• Adding flavor to the water with low-sodium chicken or beef broth
• Using ice cubes as a fun and refreshing treat