How to Boost Your Cat’s Hydration

To boost your cat’s hydration, provide fresh water daily, use multiple water bowls or a fountain, and incorporate wet food with high moisture content into their diet.

There are many common myths that cats love to only drink milk. However, despite popular belief, milk is not good for cats. Good hydration is very important for a cat’s 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 is hydration 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 get an adequate amount of water on a daily basis to ensure they are at optimal health levels. Good cat hydration is extremely important, since getting proper hydration 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.

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 depends on a variety of different factors, including the cat’s size and weight, the time of year, and the cat’s diet. Veterinarians generally recommend that cats drink around 4oz of water per day per 5lbs in weight. 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
  • According to veterinary behaviorists, 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 for them.

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

If you’re a pet owner struggling to hydrate your cat, then Reveal cat food might be just what you’re looking for.

We know cats are obligate carnivores (animals that must eat meat to meet their nutritional needs) 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 extra hydration, so if you are looking to hydrate your cat further, Reveal may help!

Frequently Asked Questions

How much water should a cat drink daily? Veterinarians recommend that cats drink around 4oz of water per day per 5lbs of body weight, though this can vary based on diet and activity level.

What are signs of dehydration in cats? Common signs of dehydration in cats include skin that is slow to return to its normal position when gently pinched, a dry mouth, lethargy, and sunken eyes.

Does wet food help hydrate cats? Yes, wet food can significantly help hydrate cats because it contains high moisture content.

Key Takeaways

• Refresh water daily – Keep your cat’s water bowl clean and filled with fresh water throughout the day.
• Use multiple bowls or a fountain – Cats are often attracted to running water and having multiple water sources encourages drinking.
• Choose the right bowl – Wide, shallow bowls made from metal, glass, or ceramic are best for cats.
• Feed wet food with high moisture – Wet cat food with a high moisture content can significantly contribute to your cat’s daily hydration needs.
• Watch for dehydration signs – Check for slow skin elasticity, dry mouth, or lethargy as indicators your cat needs more fluids.