A common issue many cat owners face is their cat’s reluctance to drink enough water. However, this can lead to severe health complications for cats if left unaddressed.
Cats who do not hydrate properly may suffer from issues such as stones (such as kidney stones) or bladder infection. These issues, in turn, can cause kidney damage and eventually lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD). Or, in the case of cats already suffering from CKD, these issues can cause the disease to worsen.
Therefore, it is imperative to take action to develop healthy and proper drinking habits in cats to reduce and manage the risks of insufficient hydration.
What Happens When Cats Don’t Drink Enough Water?
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Stones
Issue: A lack of fluids in your cat’s body can cause their urine to become overly concentrated, leading to it crystallizing into a stone (such as a bladder stone). Stones may block the flow of urine or cause other urinary difficulties, and this may cause a backflow of urine into the kidneys, resulting in kidney pressure and damage.
Symptoms: Frequent attempts to urinate, blood in urine, pained crying when urinating, inability to urinate properly, etc.
Treatment: Depending on the size of the stones and your cat’s ability to pass the stone, your cat’s veterinarian may suggest medications or surgical removal. Additionally, you may have to change your cat’s diet to prescription food to help prevent stones from forming.
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Bladder Infection
Issue: Dehydration can cause inflammation on the lining of your cat’s bladder, raising their risk of bladder infection. Long-term bladder infection can also cause the inflammation to spread to your cat’s urethra and kidneys, leading to kidney disease.
Symptoms: Frequent urination, pain during urination, blood in urine, attempts to urinate outside of litter box, etc.
Treatment: We recommend having your cat’s veterinarian prescribe antibiotics. You should also take steps to provide your cat with anti-inflammatory drugs, increase your cat’s water intake, and put your cat on a prescription diet. Bladder infection can occur repeatedly, so it’s important to consistently manage your cat’s condition.
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Kidney Disease
Issue: Both stones and bladder infection are capable of causing kidney damage that ultimately result in CKD. For instance, bladder infection can cause kidney inflammation and reduce the kidney’s filtering capabilities, increasing the risk of your cat developing CKD. Additionally, concentrated urine levels can force the kidneys to work excessively, causing or worsening CKD in your cat.
Symptoms: Heaving, loss of appetite, heightened thirst, decreased urination, lethargy, etc.
Treatment: While you can manage your cat’s CKD with fluid injections at the veterinary clinic, drugs, and prescription diets, it is impossible for already-damaged kidneys to recover. As such, what you need more than anything else is to consistently ensure your cat drinks enough water so you can prevent them from developing CKD in the first place.
How Much Water Is Enough for a Cat?
Generally, the recommended daily water intake for a cat is 40 to 60 ml per kg. However, this number is subject to change depending on multiple factors, such as your cat’s diet (e.g. whether your cat is given dry food or wet food).
- Dry Food: Dry food contains very little moisture content (approx. 10%), so cats who primarily consume dry food should drink more water. A 4 kg cat on a dry food diet should drink around 200 ml of water a day.
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Wet Food: Wet food contains very high moisture content (approx., 70 to 80%), which helps ensure a certain level of water intake in cats. A 4 kg cat on a wet food diet should drink around 160 ml of water a day. That said, it would be ideal to have the cat drink at least an additional 40 to 60 ml of clean water a day.
How Can I Get My Cat to Drink More Water?
- Mix Water with Wet Food: Wet food already contains more moisture content than dry food, and adding water to your cat’s wet food can help you effectively increase their water intake.
- Mix Water with Liquid Snacks: Mixing around 30 ml of water with a liquid or puree-based cat snack can help your cat hydrate while enjoying a snack, and your cat is likely to be more receptive to the experience, too.
- Use a Water Purifier: Some cats prefer moving water to still water. In that case, using a water fountain or dispenser capable of filtering water can provide your cat with a constantly moving source of drinkable and safe water.
- Subcutaneous Fluid Injection: If your cat is already suffering from issues such as stones, bladder infection or CKD, then subcutaneous fluid injections can allow you to quickly replenish your cat’s water levels. This can help deal with dehydration and reduce the burden placed on their kidneys.
Need Help? Consult an Expert!
It’s important to make sure your cat drinks enough water for their own good. Proper hydration can help your cat stave off painful or life-threatening complications such as stones, bladder infection, and kidney disease.
Of course, just because something’s important doesn’t mean it’s easy to do, no matter how simple it sounds. If your cat is experiencing severe issues linked to water intake or already suffering from other health complications, you should contact a professional for help right away. Greycoat Research is here to offer you and your cat free consultations and work with you to help figure out the best path for your cat.