How to Boost Your Cat’s Hydration

The need for cats to drink as much water as possible cannot be emphasised enough. There are many common myths that cats love to only drink milk. However, this is not accurate and, despite popular belief, milk is not good for cats. Good cat hydration is very important to their health so it is vital they drink as much water as possible. Read on for more information on how to boost your cat’s hydration levels. 

Why hydration is important for cats

Unlike dogs, cats are not frequent water drinkers. In fact, many cats can be quite reluctant to drink water. Since cats were originally desert animals, they did not evolve the same ‘thirst drive’ that humans and dogs have. 

However, just like humans and dogs, cats still need to ingest an adequate amount of water on a daily basis to ensure they are at optimal health levels. Good cat hydration is extremely important, since receiving a satisfactory daily amount of water will keep a cat’s coat shiny, as well as maintaining healthy, hydrated skin and organ function. 

Since 80% of a cat’s body is made up from water, it is crucial to keep an eye on your cat’s daily water intake and to look out for signs of dehydration in order to maintain your cat’s natural biological processes.

One method of spotting a dehydrated cat is by gently pinching the skin along their back. While this method will not hurt your cat, it is important to pay close attention to how the skin in this area behaves. If it is slow to return back to its normal position, or if the skin remains up in a ridge, this is a sign that your cat is dehydrated. Other common signs, like a dry mouth, are also worth looking out for. 

How to increase your cat’s water intake

The amount of water consumption a cat requires on a daily basis does depend on a variety of different factors, including the cat’s size and weight, the time of year, and the cat’s diet – although it is generally agreed that cats require roughly 2-4 ounces of fresh water a day. If you find it a tough task getting your cat to drink water regularly, here are some tips and tricks on how to increase your cat’s water intake:

• Keep your cat’s water source fresh and clean
  • Refresh the water in your cat’s bowl regularly throughout the day and clean their bowl daily to prevent bacteria buildup.
• Use multiple water bowls
  • Place multiple bowls of water around the house for your feline friend. The multiple bowls will give your cat more choice, make the water seem more enticing and more convenient to access.
• Choose the right bowl
  • The correct water bowl for your cat can make them feel more comfortable. Many cats do not like it when their sensitive whiskers touch the sides of the bowl, or when they touch water, so your cat may prefer a wider and shallower bowl to drink out of.
  • Choose bowls made from metal, glass, or ceramic. Plastic bowls are more porous, which easily absorbs odors and harbors bacterial growth, making it unappealing to cats’ acute sense of smell and taste.
• Try a water fountain
  • Research shows that most cats are attracted to running water because their natural instincts tell them still water is unsafe and could be contaminated, so some cat owners have found water foundations to be extremely useful. Cat drinking foundations can appeal to their fun and playful side, which could help make the whole experience more exciting and pleasurable to your feline friend.

Wet cat food might be part of the solution you’re looking for

If you find yourself in the community of pet owners struggling to hydrate your cat, then Reveal cat food might be just what you’re looking for. 

Here at Reveal, we pride ourselves on, what some would say, the best limited ingredient cat food around. Our wet cat food is made from 100% natural ingredients with nothing artificial added whatsoever. We know cats are obligate carnivores, and our recipes use only prime cuts of real, high-quality protein to give them what they crave. Our canned wet food is packed with rich, high quality ingredients and contains 85% moisture, so if you are looking to hydrate your cat further, these products may be the way forward! 

If you are looking for a good grain free cat food that is high in protein and moisture, our variety of Reveal cat food may be what is best for your feline friend. Always remember to feed your feline friend a combination of both wet and complete and balanced dry cat food to ensure your cat’s diet is as full, nutritious, and wholesome as possible!