How often do you pay attention to your cats water bowl? Is it everyday or whenever you see the water is low?
Do you actually know if your cat is drinking enough water?
Unfortunately these questions never tend to come to mind until a trip to the vet. A cats water bowl is the number one overlooked part of your cats life.
Let's start off with how much water your cat should be drinking. Cats should be drinking at least half a cup of water a day so four ounces. This can vary depending on if you feed dry only or wet only or a mix of both. Cats who eat dry only should be consuming at least half a cup a day (4oz). Cats who are being served wet or wet and dry may drink less because of the water intake coming from the wet food. It is extremely important that your cat drinks plenty of water to avoid any health issues such as crystals and urinary tract infections.
So what if your cat just doesn't like to drink water?
There are a few things you can try.
If you are serving tap or well water you may want to try bottled water. But please be mindful of the bottled water source. You do not want to serve your cat bottled tap water with just added minerals for flavor. This bottled water is no different from your tap.
If bottled water is not working you can also purchase water additives at your local pet store for some added flavor. Or you may even try a bit of tuna juice to the water.
Is water bowl size important?
Yes it is for many different reasons. The larger the bowl the better. Cats are more than likely to drink more from a larger bowl because it can be approached at different angles in a larger circumference. Sounds crazy doesn't it. Most cats think since the bowl is so big the water just must taste different on the other side. Its all about massive visual appeal for your cat.
How often are you cleaning the water bowl?
If you have white calcium rings in your bowl, you are not cleaning it enough. Water bowls should be cleaned daily even if it doesn't look dirty. Cats will also pick up on the routine of you cleaning the water bowl and will look at it the same way as feeding time. I suggest cleaning it outside of feeding times for this reason. Most cats will flock to the water bowl after they see you filling it with fresh water.
Is there a way to tell if my cat is dehydrated?
If you pinch the skin over a cat's shoulders and pull up, the skin should snap right back into place when released. This is sign of a well hydrated cat
As a cat becomes more dehydrated the skin will go down slower, if the skin should stay up like a tent you need to rush your cat to a vet right away this is a severe case of dehydration.
What if your cat drinks A LOT of water?
This can be a sign of diabetes or kidney failure. Don't panic yet. This is also based upon what food you are feeding. If you are feeding your cat dry they will no doubt drink more than the recommended half a cup (4oz) a day. This is due to the amount of water in dry food. They must compensate. This doesn't mean dry food is unhealthy. Never forget dry food is what helps keep your cats teeth and gums clean.
I think my cat drinks weird?
You should watch how your cat drinks. Some cats drink from the middle and some drink along the edge. The edge drinkers are the cats that may stay at the water bowl longer because they are not taking in as much by drinking this way. Edge drinkers are also coming in contact more directly with the bowl. This is another reason no matter what your cats habits are you should wash it everyday.
Checking your cats water should be something you glance at multiple times a day. Always keeping in mind what time you filled the bowl. Keeping your cats water bowl further away from where they eat can also help keep the bowl cleaner. Its less likely to become infected with food crumbs. Most cats will not drink from a bowl with even just the smallest crumb.
So the next time you pass that bowl or even raise your own cup, ask yourself when was the last time I checked my cats water?
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https://www.internationalhouseofcats.com
Video Features Pharaoh a trap neuter release program cat.
Pharaoh is now 100% a indoor cat after being successful in his rehabilitation to transition from outdoor life to indoor life after 6 years on the streets of Las Vegas Nevada USA.
Video is property of International House Of Cats and may not be used or distributed with out written permission.
