After reading this article, we hope to assist cat parents in successfully encouraging their felines to drink water, understanding how much water a cat should drink per day, and whether there are any signs of dehydration… Ensuring that cats do not suffer from diseases due to lack of water and live a healthy life. The article is approximately 3000 words long and takes about 5 minutes to read. How to deal with cats not drinking water? Can dehydration cause serious diseases? How to determine if a cat is dehydrated? It is believed that many cat parents are troubled by the issue of cats not drinking water. Water is an essential element for survival for both cats and humans. However, cats evolved from feline species such as lions that lived in the desert… and their habits allow them to replenish water from the blood of hunted animals, so they usually do not drink water actively and have lower water requirements. But it does not mean that cats do not need to replenish water at all! If accustomed to feeding dry food, it is important to pay attention to the cat’s drinking status, as dehydration can lead to serious kidney diseases! In this article, we will tell cat parents: how much water should a cat intake daily, why cats do not like to drink water, how to recognize signs of dehydration in cats, how to encourage cats to drink more water, and what diseases cats may suffer from due to long-term lack of water. Keep reading to find out how to solve the problem of cats not drinking water and the healthy knowledge of how much water cats need to intake! OPEN article table of contents: How much water should a cat drink a day? How much water content is there in cat food? How to calculate it? Dry food, wet cans, raw food meals, reasons why cats do not like to drink water? How to determine if a cat has dehydration symptoms? What diseases can cats get if they do not drink water? How to coax cats to drink water? Method 1: Regularly replace/clean the water bowl to ensure it is clean. Method 2: Provide fresh water. Method 3: Moving water can attract cats’ attention. Method 4: Change to feeding wet food or raw food meals. Method 5: Control the water temperature. Method 6: Add food or catnip to the water. Summary of common questions: How much water should a cat drink a day? Cats actually do not need as much water as cat parents might think. Because of their lighter weight and different body structure, cats drink much less water than dogs and humans. Medically, it is suggested that a cat should drink about 40～60 ml of water per kilogram. That is to say, a 4 kg cat should drink approximately 200～240 ml of water daily to ensure normal bodily functions. (Source of information) Cat’s daily standard water intake = 40～60 ml of water per 1 KG of body weight (this standard includes the water content in food). After determining the cat’s water intake, we need to consider whether the cat’s daily diet contains water and how much percentage of water it contains. Wet cans usually contain about 80% water, while dry food only has 10%, which can be roughly calculated by weight. That is to say, cats eating wet cans may drink less water than those eating dry food, but if cat parents have calculated and ensured that the cats have reached the standard water intake, there is no need to worry too much! Cats usually eat wet cans or dry food, which contains a certain amount of water. Cat parents can calculate how much water content is in cat food? How to calculate it? The food given to cats will have a certain water content, which should be included in the daily cat’s water intake to avoid overhydration causing symptoms of water poisoning in cats (low blood potassium). So, how to see how much water the food contains? Assuming 100 grams of feed, feeding 200 grams daily. Dry food dry food contains about 5%～10% water, and feeding 200 grams can obtain 20 ml of water. Then, cats eating dry food still need to obtain 240 – 20 = 220 ml of water. Mr. Mao said: The water content in dry food is the lowest, and the calories are also higher. If only dry food is fed all the time, cats will find it difficult to reach the standard water intake. It is recommended that cat parents replace one meal with dry food and one with wet cans or raw food to supplement more water and avoid high calories making the fur child fat. Extended reading: Cat/Dog Overweight Judgment + Weight Loss Guide. Wet cans wet cans contain about 70%～80% water, and feeding 200 grams can obtain 160 ml of water. Cats eating wet cans still need to obtain 240 – 160 = 80 ml of water. Mr. Mao said: The water content in cans is relatively high among all foods. If the cat at home does not like to drink water, it is recommended to use cans as the main meal, which is not only nutritionally sufficient but also replenishes a lot of water. Raw food meals raw food contains about 70%～73% water, and feeding 200 grams can obtain 140 ml of water. Cats eating raw food meals still need to obtain 240 – 140 = 100 ml of water. Mr. Mao said: The water content in raw food is also very high and conforms to the nature of cats. Of course, the price will be more expensive, but there is an opportunity to try more raw food meals for cats. Not only is it healthy, but the fur of cats eating raw food meals will also be smoother and brighter. Why don’t cats like to drink water? In order to maintain the normal function of the body, all living beings need to intake water, but why don’t cats like to drink water? According to the different habits of animals, each species needs different amounts of water. In the previous chapter, we also learned that the amount of water a cat needs to drink per day is usually about ‘a cup of water’. This is because the ancestors of cats come from the desert (just look at lions and tigers and other animals), where pure water is not easy to obtain, so the ancestors of cats are accustomed to obtaining water from the blood of prey. After evolution, even though cats are in the modern era where water is easily accessible, they still do not increase their demand for water, which also leads to the habit of cats not drinking water actively. However, cats have a weaker thirst mechanism, and if they do not get enough water, they are prone to dehydration symptoms and induce kidney diseases. The ancestors of feline animals lived in deserts lacking water sources, naturally less likely to feel thirsty, leading to reduced water intake. How to determine if a cat has dehydration symptoms? At this point, I believe that cat parents will worry about whether their cats have dehydration symptoms? How to judge? Mr. Mao has organized the common symptoms of cat dehydration for cat parents to self-test first. If it is found that the cat may be dehydrated, it is necessary to seek help from a veterinarian as soon as possible for a more detailed examination and diagnosis! Lack of skin elasticity: Gently pinch the skin behind the cat’s neck or on the back and observe the condition of skin rebound. The skin of a normal cat should return to normal in less than a second. If the cat’s skin does not rebound immediately and maintains the pinched shape, it indicates that the cat may be dehydrated. Sunken eyes: The cat’s eyes cannot focus, or the eye sockets are sunken, and the surrounding color becomes darker. White gums, dry mouth: The gums of a healthy cat should be pink and the mouth should be moist. When cat parents press their fingers on the gums, the pressed part will temporarily turn white, but if it does not return to pink within one or two seconds after removing the finger, it usually indicates a water shortage crisis. Constipation: Cats are usually constipated when dehydrated. If the cat does not defecate as usual, pay more attention. Extended reading: 8 common causes of cat constipation. Reduced urination frequency: Cats usually urinate 2～3 times a day. If the frequency of urination decreases, observe more. Frequent panting: Cats are different from dogs and do not pant frequently. If a cat pants frequently, it means it may be dehydrated. Reduced appetite: Dehydrated cats will eat less than usual and have a poor appetite. When a cat shows the above symptoms of dehydration, it is necessary to seek a veterinarian as soon as possible. Because cat dehydration is very fatal, kidney diseases are usually irreversible and will make the cat more difficult in old age, so cat parents must pay more attention! Cat dehydration symptoms are actually relatively easy to judge. If there is suspicion that the cat is dehydrated, it is recommended to take it to the veterinarian for a complete examination! What diseases can cats get if they do not drink water? Cats can become dehydrated due to not drinking enough water or urinating more than the amount of water intake, and more serious situations may even lead to vomiting and bleeding. If the cat is older or has thyroid problems, pay more attention to whether the water intake is sufficient! What serious diseases can cats get if they do not drink water? Mr. Mao has organized them all below to help cat parents understand! Cystitis: Cystitis may be induced by insufficient water intake, but it is mainly caused by stress-induced inflammation, but the water intake issue still needs to be taken seriously. Urolithiasis: The minerals produced by the cat’s body, due to the high concentration of urine, cannot be smoothly excreted through urine, forming stones in the urethra and blocking the urethra. Kidney disease: Toxins in the body cannot be smoothly eliminated, leading to severe overload of the kidneys, resulting in kidney stones, kidney failure and other diseases. Urinary tract infection: Lack of water intake will lead to high urine concentration, presenting symptoms such as hematuria, frequent urination, excessive licking of the lower body… urinary tract infection symptoms. How to coax cats to drink water? When cat parents find that the cat’s water intake is insufficient and the cat does not like to drink water, how can we appease the cat and make it drink more water? Mr. Mao shares 6 ways here, hoping to help cat parents make their feline children drink more water! Method 1: Regularly replace/clean the water bowl to ensure it is clean. Cats are clean animals, and the water bowl should not be placed near the food bowl or litter box to avoid contamination. In addition, if possible, replacing the water bowl with a large-diameter bowl is better, because some cats do not like touching their whiskers against the edge of the water bowl. Regularly replacing and cleaning the water bowl to keep it fresh and clean is also a good method! Method 2: Provide fresh water. Cats are very sensitive to odors and will not drink water that has been placed for a long time, so the water in the water bowl should be regularly replaced. One thing to remind cat parents is that the water given to cats must be boiled and cooled tap water. Natural water, mineral water, groundwater… and so on are not qualified options and can also be harmful to cat health. Method 3: Moving water can attract cats’ attention. Wild animals drink water from streams, and stream water naturally flows. Therefore, if a moving water bowl container can be purchased, it may also encourage cats to drink more water! Cats, due to their ancestral habits, like to drink moving water. If conditions permit, purchasing a moving water bowl is also a good choice. Method 4: Change to feeding wet food or raw food meals. Choose foods with high water content, such as wet cans or raw food meals, and the amount of additional water cats need to intake can be reduced. Method 5: Control the water temperature. If possible, it is best to keep the water temperature warm in winter and cool in summer, with the principle of not burning the mouth and not too cold. Keeping it at 27～35 degrees is the best choice. Try not to feed water that is too cold or too hot! Mr. Mao said: Not drinking cold water is because some cats with poor stomachs are not suitable for drinking cold water, which can easily cause discomfort. However, if it is a healthy cat, feeding a little cold water in summer can make the cat drink more water, which is also possible, but remember not to feed it too often～ Method 6: Add food or catnip to the water. Add a little cat food that the cat likes to eat or the soup of wet cans to boiled and cooled tap water (do not add too much, just a little bit). Or add a little catnip, which can also make cats love to drink water. Extended reading: What is cat grass, catmint. In summary, the six little tricks to make cats love to drink water, have cat parents learned? In addition to allowing cats to start hydrating from wet food, cat parents can also add a little food to the water to give it flavor, and cats will naturally be less likely to reject it! The problem of dehydration caused by cats not drinking water, as well as subsequent diseases, is really a very dangerous situation, so cat parents must pay more attention to the cat’s drinking situation and regularly pay attention to the cat’s drinking status! Mr. Mao said: It is indeed very difficult to get cats to drink water actively because cats themselves are animals that do not like to drink water. If encountering dehydration but unable to improve smoothly, it is recommended that cat parents seek the help of a professional veterinarian! Cats are not used to drinking water, so they are prone to dehydration and need cat parents to pay more attention to common questions. Mr. Mao has compiled common questions to help cat parents solve their doubts! Will cats get sick if they do not drink water? Yes. Cats not drinking water can cause dehydration symptoms, indirectly leading to lower endocrine infections such as the urinary tract, bladder, kidneys…, so it is very important for cats to drink enough water. How much water should a cat drink a day? Medically, it is suggested that a cat should drink 40～60 ml of water per kilogram. That is to say, a 4 kg cat should drink approximately 200～240 ml of water daily to ensure normal bodily functions. Cat’s daily standard water intake = 40～60 ml of water per 1 KG of body weight (this standard includes the water content in food). Want to know the detailed water content in food + how to calculate the additional water supplement? You can refer to the section ‘How much water content is there in cat food? How to calculate it?’ in this article to help cat parents calculate the daily water intake of cats! My cat does not like to drink water, how to coax the cat to drink water? Mr. Mao shares 6 methods here, hoping to help cat parents who are troubled by their cats not drinking water: 1. Regularly replace/clean the water bowl to ensure it is clean. 2. Provide fresh water. 3. Moving water can attract cats’ attention. 4. Change to feeding wet food or raw food meals. 5. Control the water temperature. 6. Add food or catnip (cat grass) to the water. Limited experience group, only 50 yuan, and there is a free shipping discount code, click to use. 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