How to Make Sure Your Cat Drinks Enough Water

Cats are fascinating animals with many quirky habits, including their drinking behavior. As a cat owner, it's important to understand how you can make sure your cat gets enough fluids to support her health. Here are a few key aspects of feline drinking behavior.

What do cats drink?

Cats should only drink water. This is essential for their health, as water supports many vital functions in the body. It helps transport nutrients, regulate body temperature, and eliminate waste products. Since cats are natural carnivores and their prey often has a high moisture content, they aren't dependent on drinking large amounts of water. This often makes it difficult to determine their actual water needs.

How often should a cat drink each day?

A cat should drink several times a day to meet her fluid needs. The exact number of drinking sessions can vary from cat to cat and depends on various factors, including size, activity level, and diet. Regular water intake is important, however, to prevent dehydration and related health problems.

How much should cats drink?

The ideal daily water intake for cats varies, but it's usually between 60 and 120 milliliters per kilogram of body weight. This means an average cat weighing 4.5 kilograms may need around 270 to 540 milliliters of water per day. However, this figure only serves as a rough guideline, since individual needs vary. Depending on what you feed your cat, she'll also take in some of this through her food.

How do cats prefer to drink?

Cats often prefer to drink from flowing sources. This is rooted in their nature as hunters and gatherers. In the wild, they prefer fresh, flowing water, since standing water can be potentially dangerous. This explains why many cats prefer dripping taps or flowing fountains to still water. If you'd like your cat to drink more, providing a flowing water source can be a great idea.

How can you tell if a cat isn't drinking enough?

It's important to recognize the signs of insufficient fluid intake in cats. These can include dry gums, dry skin, increased panting, and reduced urination. If you notice any of these signs, you should act right away to make sure your cat is drinking enough.

Is it bad if my cat won't drink water?

Yes, insufficient fluid intake can lead to dehydration, which in turn can cause various health problems. A common issue in cats is the formation of urinary stones, which can be painful and harmful to their health. Drinking enough helps prevent the formation of urinary stones and supports the health of the urinary tract and kidneys.

How to make sure your cat drinks enough

To make sure your cat drinks enough, you should always provide fresh water in clean bowls. You should clean these regularly and refresh the water.
It's best to offer your cat a drinking fountain since, as mentioned, cats usually prefer flowing water.

Why should you choose a ceramic fountain for your cat?

Most drinking fountains on the market are made of plastic. Plastic isn't just harmful to the environment — it's also very difficult to keep clean, even if filters are replaced regularly. For the same reason, ceramic eventually became the material of choice for dishware, too.
Our TREVI drinking fountain is crafted from high-quality ceramic. TREVI is smoothly glazed on the inside and matte on the outside. This makes it especially hygienic while looking very elegant.
It's easy to clean and doesn't harbor bacteria. Ceramic also keeps the water cool and fresh, which many cats find especially appealing.

By understanding your cat's drinking behavior and taking her preferences into account, you can help ensure she gets enough fluids and maintains her health and vitality. 🐾💧