{"id":2849,"date":"2023-03-13T14:38:41","date_gmt":"2023-03-13T14:38:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/?p=2849"},"modified":"2023-07-06T05:40:40","modified_gmt":"2023-07-06T05:40:40","slug":"encourage-cats-drink-water","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/hr\/encourage-cats-drink-water\/","title":{"rendered":"16 Tricks to Encourage Cats To Drink More Water: The Importance of Water in a Cat&#8217;s Diet"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>If there is anything I\u2019ve struggled with all my pets in the 20+ years of cat purrenting is giving my kittos water. We all know the importance of water in a cat\u2019s diet. But how do we encourage them to take more water?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I did some research on the topic and here is what you should know. This blog post gives you the importance of hydration, how much water cats should drink, and tips and tricks to help your cat drink more water.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-table-of-contents-block-table-of-contents-block\"><div class=\"eb-parent-wrapper eb-parent-eb-toc-e3i61x4\"><div class=\"eb-toc-container eb-toc-e3i61x4  eb-toc-is-not-sticky eb-toc-collapsible eb-toc-initially-not-collapsed eb-toc-scrollToTop style-1 list-style-none\" data-scroll-top=\"false\" data-scroll-top-icon=\"fas fa-angle-up\" data-collapsible=\"true\" data-sticky-hide-mobile=\"false\" data-sticky=\"false\" data-scroll-target=\"scroll_to_toc\" data-copy-link=\"false\" data-editor-type=\"\" data-hide-desktop=\"false\" data-hide-tab=\"false\" data-hide-mobile=\"false\" data-itemcollapsed=\"false\"><div class=\"eb-toc-header\"><div class=\"eb-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/div><\/div><div class=\"eb-toc-wrapper\" data-headers=\"[{&quot;level&quot;:2,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;Tips to Encourage Your Cats To Drink More Water&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Tips to Encourage Your Cats To Drink More Water&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;tips-to-encourage-your-cats-to-drink-more-water&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:3,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;1.\\u00a0Use a Cat Water Fountain&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;1.\\u00a0Use a Cat Water Fountain&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;eb-table-content-1&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:3,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;2.\\u00a0Have Multiple Water Spots&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;2.\\u00a0Have Multiple Water Spots&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;eb-table-content-2&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:3,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;3.\\u00a0Clean the Water Bowls Frequently&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;3.\\u00a0Clean the Water Bowls Frequently&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;eb-table-content-3&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:3,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;4.\\u00a0Only Give Fresh Water&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;4.\\u00a0Only Give Fresh Water&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;eb-table-content-4&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:3,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;5.\\u00a0Feed Them Wet Food&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;5.\\u00a0Feed Them Wet Food&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;eb-table-content-5&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:3,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;6.\\u00a0Keep the Water Bowl next to the Food&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;6.\\u00a0Keep the Water Bowl next to the Food&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;eb-table-content-6&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:3,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;7.\\u00a0Place the Water Dish Away from the Litter&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;7.\\u00a0Place the Water Dish Away from the Litter&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;eb-table-content-7&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:3,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;8.\\u00a0Try Different Water Bowls&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;8.\\u00a0Try Different Water Bowls&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;eb-table-content-8&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:3,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;9.\\u00a0Add Water to Dry Food&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;9.\\u00a0Add Water to Dry Food&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;eb-table-content-9&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:3,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;10.\\u00a0Add Flavor to the Water&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;10.\\u00a0Add Flavor to the Water&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;eb-table-content-10&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:3,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;11.\\u00a0Experiment with Different Water Types&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;11.\\u00a0Experiment with Different Water Types&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;eb-table-content-11&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:3,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;12.\\u00a0Add Some Broth&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;12.\\u00a0Add Some Broth&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;eb-table-content-12&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:3,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;13.\\u00a0Use a Large Water Bowl&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;13.\\u00a0Use a Large Water Bowl&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;eb-table-content-13&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:3,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;14.\\u00a0Elevate the Water Bowl&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;14.\\u00a0Elevate the Water Bowl&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;eb-table-content-14&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:3,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;15.\\u00a0Fill the Water Bowl to the Brim&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;15.\\u00a0Fill the Water Bowl to the Brim&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;eb-table-content-15&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:3,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;16.\\u00a0Encourage Your Cat\\u2019s Weird Water Drinking Behaviors&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;16.\\u00a0Encourage Your Cat\\u2019s Weird Water Drinking Behaviors&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;eb-table-content-16&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:2,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;Why Hydration Matters&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Why Hydration Matters&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;why-hydration-matters&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:2,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;How Much Water Should a Cat Drink In 24 Hours?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;How Much Water Should a Cat Drink In 24 Hours?&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;how-much-water-should-a-cat-drink-in-24-hours&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:3,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;How to Monitor How Much Your Cat Drinks&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;How to Monitor How Much Your Cat Drinks&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;how-to-monitor-how-much-your-cat-drinks&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:2,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;How Do You Hydrate a Cat That Won\\u2019t Drink Water?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;How Do You Hydrate a Cat That Won\\u2019t Drink Water?&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;how-do-you-hydrate-a-cat-that-wont-drink-water&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:2,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;FAQ&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;FAQ&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;faq&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:3,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;Do Cats Know When They are Thirsty?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Do Cats Know When They are Thirsty?&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;do-cats-know-when-they-are-thirsty&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:3,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;Cat Doesn\\u2019t Drink Water but Eats Wet Food&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Cat Doesn\\u2019t Drink Water but Eats Wet Food&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;cat-doesnt-drink-water-but-eats-wet-food&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:3,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;Can I Force My Cat to Drink More Water?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Can I Force My Cat to Drink More Water?&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;can-i-force-my-cat-to-drink-more-water&quot;}]\" data-visible=\"[true,true,true,true,true,true]\" data-delete-headers=\"[]\" data-smooth=\"true\" data-top-offset=\"\"><div class=\"eb-toc__list-wrap\"><ul class='eb-toc__list'><li><a href=\"#tips-to-encourage-your-cats-to-drink-more-water\">Tips to Encourage Your Cats To Drink More Water<\/a><ul class='eb-toc__list'><li><a href=\"#eb-table-content-1\">1.\u00a0Use a Cat Water Fountain<\/a><li><a href=\"#eb-table-content-2\">2.\u00a0Have Multiple Water Spots<\/a><li><a href=\"#eb-table-content-3\">3.\u00a0Clean the Water Bowls Frequently<\/a><li><a href=\"#eb-table-content-4\">4.\u00a0Only Give Fresh Water<\/a><li><a href=\"#eb-table-content-5\">5.\u00a0Feed Them Wet Food<\/a><li><a href=\"#eb-table-content-6\">6.\u00a0Keep the Water Bowl next to the Food<\/a><li><a href=\"#eb-table-content-7\">7.\u00a0Place the Water Dish Away from the Litter<\/a><li><a href=\"#eb-table-content-8\">8.\u00a0Try Different Water Bowls<\/a><li><a href=\"#eb-table-content-9\">9.\u00a0Add Water to Dry Food<\/a><li><a href=\"#eb-table-content-10\">10.\u00a0Add Flavor to the Water<\/a><li><a href=\"#eb-table-content-11\">11.\u00a0Experiment with Different Water Types<\/a><li><a href=\"#eb-table-content-12\">12.\u00a0Add Some Broth<\/a><li><a href=\"#eb-table-content-13\">13.\u00a0Use a Large Water Bowl<\/a><li><a href=\"#eb-table-content-14\">14.\u00a0Elevate the Water Bowl<\/a><li><a href=\"#eb-table-content-15\">15.\u00a0Fill the Water Bowl to the Brim<\/a><li><a href=\"#eb-table-content-16\">16.\u00a0Encourage Your Cat\u2019s Weird Water Drinking Behaviors<\/a><\/li><\/ul><li><a href=\"#why-hydration-matters\">Why Hydration Matters<\/a><li><a href=\"#how-much-water-should-a-cat-drink-in-24-hours\">How Much Water Should a Cat Drink In 24 Hours?<\/a><ul class='eb-toc__list'><li><a href=\"#how-to-monitor-how-much-your-cat-drinks\">How to Monitor How Much Your Cat Drinks<\/a><\/li><\/ul><li><a href=\"#how-do-you-hydrate-a-cat-that-wont-drink-water\">How Do You Hydrate a Cat That Won\u2019t Drink Water?<\/a><li><a href=\"#faq\">FAQ<\/a><ul class='eb-toc__list'><li><a href=\"#do-cats-know-when-they-are-thirsty\">Do Cats Know When They are Thirsty?<\/a><li><a href=\"#cat-doesnt-drink-water-but-eats-wet-food\">Cat Doesn\u2019t Drink Water but Eats Wet Food<\/a><li><a href=\"#can-i-force-my-cat-to-drink-more-water\">Can I Force My Cat to Drink More Water?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tips to Encourage Your Cats To Drink More Water<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1.&nbsp;Use a Cat Water Fountain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Some cats love flowing water and maybe your cat is one of them. It gives them some sort of a rush feeling like they are hunting down the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re looking to increase your cat\u2019s water intake, a fountain would be a great idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2.&nbsp;Have Multiple Water Spots<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Multiple water spots are great especially if you have many cats. Felines are territorial and may end up fighting over a simple water bowl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you live in a multi-level house, it would be great if you could put a water dish on every floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3.&nbsp;Clean the Water Bowls Frequently<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Cats are clean animals and normally tend to avoid dirty food and water bowls. Make sure you clean your cat\u2019s water bowls every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-theme-palette-2-color\">Use hot water and soap to get the best results. Sure, you can skip a day or two but don\u2019t go for a week without cleaning them.<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4.&nbsp;Only Give Fresh Water<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Apart from cleaning your cat\u2019s water bowl, you should also replace the water frequently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5.&nbsp;Feed Them Wet Food<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Your cat\u2019s ancestors the African wild cat got their water from the food they ate. Remember a <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/420154\/#:~:text=The%20percentage%20of%20water%20in,species%20between%2070%20and%2076%25.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">mouse is 80% water<\/a> and so they had no problem with getting hydrated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Animal<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>% water in their bodies<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Mice<\/td><td>74%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Rats<\/td><td>74.7%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Lizards<\/td><td>72.3%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Rabbits<\/td><td>70%<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(Exact percentages may vary depending on the species)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, since most of us have indoor cats (including me), we can try to imitate their ancestors by feeding them food that has high water content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Canned food is wet and is a great way to get closer to your cat\u2019s hydration goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"999\" height=\"665\" src=\"https:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ezgif.com-gif-maker-4.webp\" alt=\"Cat won't eat wet food\" class=\"wp-image-2645\" srcset=\"http:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ezgif.com-gif-maker-4.webp 999w, http:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ezgif.com-gif-maker-4-300x200.webp 300w, http:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ezgif.com-gif-maker-4-768x511.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 999px) 100vw, 999px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6.&nbsp;Keep the Water Bowl next to the Food<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember the last time you were snacking on some chips or eating dinner and grabbed a glass of water mid-eating? This same concept also applies to cats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While eating kibble, they may get thirsty. Guess what they will do when a full water bowl is staring at them? They won\u2019t be able to resist but take a sip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7.&nbsp;Place the Water Dish Away from the Litter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Think about it. Would you eat or drink if you were served next to a smelly washroom? Yep, neither will cats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Their sense of smell makes it even worse in that they won\u2019t even dare take a sip. To avoid this, it\u2019s better to place the water dish away from the litter box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8.&nbsp;Try Different Water Bowls<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Cats, just like humans, have their preferences. My elder cat preferred glass water bowls but for some reason, my current cat prefers metallic dishes more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s nothing personal, they just have their own taste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can try experimenting with glass, metallic or wooden bowls to find what your catto likes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">9.&nbsp;Add Water to Dry Food<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.petfoodinstitute.org\/blog\/z-pet-food-4-things-know-dry-pet-food\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pet Food Institute<\/a>, dry food typically has 10-12% moisture content. This is way below wet food\u2019s moisture content which stands at a staggering 75 \u2013 78 %.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To deal with this, you can start by adding some water to their food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, beware, your catto may refuse to eat it afterward. If your cat only wants to eat dry kibble, don\u2019t force it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But it doesn\u2019t hurt to try.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">10.&nbsp;Add Flavor to the Water<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>On this one, I actually relate to cats. I\u2019m pretty sure I\u2019m not the only one who drops some cucumbers in my glass to make hydrating a little exciting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can add some tuna juice to your kitto\u2019s water just to encourage them to sip more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">11.&nbsp;Experiment with Different Water Types<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes bottled water works better than tap water. Maybe your cat likes mineral water more. You have to experiment with your cat to know which one works best for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">12.&nbsp;Add Some Broth<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"792\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Photo-by-Alex-Bayev-on-pexels-792x1024.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2854\" srcset=\"http:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Photo-by-Alex-Bayev-on-pexels-792x1024.webp 792w, http:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Photo-by-Alex-Bayev-on-pexels-232x300.webp 232w, http:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Photo-by-Alex-Bayev-on-pexels-768x992.webp 768w, http:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Photo-by-Alex-Bayev-on-pexels.webp 1006w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 792px) 100vw, 792px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo by Alex Bayev on Pexels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Broths are an excellent way to spice up and encourage your catto to hydrate and drink more water. However, you have to only use plain low-sodium broths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Avoid feeding your cat broths with additives like garlic, ginger, and other spices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">13.&nbsp;Use a Large Water Bowl<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Some cats will not drink or eat from deep bowls and your cat may be one of them. There is a possibility your kitto is having \u2018whisker fatigue\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This happens typically to cats with long whiskers. Most cats hate it when their whiskers rub the sides of their water bowls. You can easily solve this by getting a wider shallow water dish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Photo-by-Lera-Mk-on-Pexels-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"Encourage Cats to drink more water\" class=\"wp-image-2855\" srcset=\"http:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Photo-by-Lera-Mk-on-Pexels-1024x683.webp 1024w, http:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Photo-by-Lera-Mk-on-Pexels-300x200.webp 300w, http:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Photo-by-Lera-Mk-on-Pexels-768x512.webp 768w, http:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Photo-by-Lera-Mk-on-Pexels-1536x1024.webp 1536w, http:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Photo-by-Lera-Mk-on-Pexels-2048x1365.webp 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo by Lera Mk on Pexels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">14.&nbsp;Elevate the Water Bowl<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Elevating the water bowl makes it easier for your cat to take a sip, especially if your kitto is a lazy one like mine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">15.&nbsp;Fill the Water Bowl to the Brim<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Filling the water dish makes it easy for your cat to take a sip especially if the bowl is not wide enough. Keep in mind most cats don\u2019t like their whiskers rubbing on bowls when they eat or drink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">16.&nbsp;Encourage Your Cat\u2019s Weird Water Drinking Behaviors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Some cats have some pretty weird behaviors. I once had a cat who would ignore the water bowls and only drink from leaking taps. No matter how much I tried, my catto completely refused to drink from the water dishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What did I do? I gave up and let him drink straight from the tap. And so should you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Is your cat only willing to drink from leaking taps? Great go ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"680\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Photo-by-Leo-Pekaar-on-Pexels-WEBP-680x1024.webp\" alt=\"Cat drinking running water\" class=\"wp-image-2856\" srcset=\"http:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Photo-by-Leo-Pekaar-on-Pexels-WEBP-680x1024.webp 680w, http:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Photo-by-Leo-Pekaar-on-Pexels-WEBP-199x300.webp 199w, http:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Photo-by-Leo-Pekaar-on-Pexels-WEBP-768x1156.webp 768w, http:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Photo-by-Leo-Pekaar-on-Pexels-WEBP-1020x1536.webp 1020w, http:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Photo-by-Leo-Pekaar-on-Pexels-WEBP-1360x2048.webp 1360w, http:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Photo-by-Leo-Pekaar-on-Pexels-WEBP-scaled.webp 1700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo by Leo Pekaar on Pexels <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Not all weird behaviors are normal though. For instance, scratching the floor (or wall) when drinking water. Some cats will paw and even act like they are trying to bury their water bowls. I\u2019ve prepared an article on this that you can check out on <a href=\"https:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/hr\/cats-scratch-floor-drinking-water\/\">why cats scratch the floor when drinking water<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/ezgif.com-gif-maker-1-4.webp\" alt=\"Cat with a bowl of water\" class=\"wp-image-2505\" srcset=\"http:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/ezgif.com-gif-maker-1-4.webp 1000w, http:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/ezgif.com-gif-maker-1-4-300x200.webp 300w, http:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/ezgif.com-gif-maker-1-4-768x512.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Hydration Matters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Proper hydration in cats is important as it helps with maintaining normal body functions like regulating temperature, joint lubrication, maintaining normal electrolyte concentration, and food digestion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Proper hydration is when there is enough water in a cat\u2019s body. Now, when the fluid level decreases, your kitto will face some issues some of them including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-theme-palette-2-color\">Multi-organ dysfunction<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-theme-palette-2-color\">Inability to regulate temperature<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-theme-palette-2-color\">Neurological dysfunction<\/mark><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Some illnesses (chronic kidney disease, diabetes, diarrhea, and vomiting) also lead to increased dehydration. If your catto falls in this bracket, it\u2019s very important for you to up their water intake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/effects-of-dehydration-in-cats.webp\" alt=\"why hydration in cats matters\" class=\"wp-image-3006\" srcset=\"http:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/effects-of-dehydration-in-cats.webp 1024w, http:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/effects-of-dehydration-in-cats-300x225.webp 300w, http:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/effects-of-dehydration-in-cats-768x576.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Much Water Should a Cat Drink In 24 Hours?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>An average 10-pound cat should take a cup of water per day. Cats who eat canned\/wet food will tend to drink less water as the food already has some moisture in it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a general guideline, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vet.cornell.edu\/departments-centers-and-institutes\/cornell-feline-health-center\/health-information\/feline-health-topics\/hydration\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cornell Veterinary College<\/a> recommends that for every five pounds of lean weight, a cat should take at least 4 ounces of water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Weight (in pounds)<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Cat breeds<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Recommended water intake<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>5<\/td><td>Siamese and other small breeds<\/td><td>4 ounces (1\/2 a cup)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>10<\/td><td>Average house cat<\/td><td>8 ounces (1 cup)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>25<\/td><td>Maine coon and other big cat breeds<\/td><td>20 ounces (2 \u00bd cups)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Monitor How Much Your Cat Drinks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You can easily measure how much water your cat is drinking through a water fountain. Although you can also measure using a water dish by using cups (or ounces), these only measures how much water you put in the water dish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-theme-palette-2-color\">A water fountain would be your best bet to get an accurate number.<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Do You Hydrate a Cat That Won\u2019t Drink Water?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The most efficient way would be by adding some water or broth to their kibble. Additionally, you can also experiment with jelly or wet cat food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If all fails, then pay your vet a visit to discuss more hydration options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, you\u2019ve done all that but your cat is still not drinking water, what next? Well, you can start off by understanding <a href=\"https:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/hr\/7-little-known-reasons-to-why-cats-hate-water\/\">why cats hate water<\/a> in the first place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FAQ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do Cats Know When They are Thirsty?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, cats know when they are thirsty. It is a biological function and your cat is only reacting to body needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Does Flowing Water Encourage Cats to Drink More?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Flowing water may encourage cats to drink more compared to still water. This comes from their ancestors in the wild who used to drink from rivers and dams with moving water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Do not be surprised if your catto ditches the water bowl for your dripping tap water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cat Doesn\u2019t Drink Water but Eats Wet Food<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Cats who eat wet food are at a lesser risk of dehydration than their counterparts who only eat kibble. However, water is still very important. You can add more water to their food to make it wetter and increase the moisture levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can I Force My Cat to Drink More Water?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Do not force a cat to drink more water. Instead, explore other creative avenues to have them take in more fluid. For example, using wet instead of dry food, giving tuna juice and broth.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If there is anything I\u2019ve struggled with all my pets in the 20+ years of cat purrenting is giving my kittos water. We all know the importance of water in a cat\u2019s diet. But how do we encourage them to take more water? I did some research on the topic and here is what you&#8230;<\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2858,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[106,100],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2849","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cat-and-foods","category-cat-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/hr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2849","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/hr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/hr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/hr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/hr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2849"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/hr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2849\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/hr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2858"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/hr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2849"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/hr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2849"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/bloggingwithconnie.com\/hr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2849"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}