Why Your Cat Won’t Drink Water and What You Can Do About It

by Alex Kountry
Updated on

Is your cat not drinking enough water? Learn the reasons why and what you can do to get your cat to drink more water.

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Reasons Why Cats Don’t Drink Water

If your cat isn’t drinking water, it could be a sign that something is wrong. Dehydration can cause all sorts of health problems for cats, so it’s important to make sure they’re getting enough water. There are a number of reasons why cats might not be drinking water, so let’s take a look at a few of the most common ones.

Lack of hydration

Cats can suffer from dehydration for many reasons, including sickness, heat, lack of access to clean water, and more. When a cat is dehydrated, their organs don’t function as well as they should and this can lead to serious health problems.

There are a few things you can do to encourage your cat to drink more water:

-Make sure they always have access to clean, fresh water. This means changing their water regularly and keeping their bowl in a spot where they can easily get to it.
-Add some wet food to their diet. Canned food has a higher water content than dry food, so adding some wet food to their diet will help them stay hydrated.
-Encourage them to play with water. Some cats like to play with running water, so try putting their bowl in the sink or bathroom and turning the faucet on a little bit so they can watch the water flow. You can also try buying a pet fountain that will constantly circulate fresh water.

If you’re concerned that your cat isn’t drinking enough water, take them to the vet for a check-up.

Poor quality water

One of the reasons your cat may not be interested in drinking water is because the water itself is unappealing. If the water in your home is hard, has a strong smell, or tastes bad, your cat may be avoiding it.

Cats are also attracted to moving water, so a water fountain designed for cats may be more appealing than a static bowl of water. The sound of running water can also help mask any potentially unappealing tastes or smells.

Lack of variety

Cats can be fickle creatures when it comes to their water. If they’re not interested in the water you have to offer, it could be because they’re simply bored of it. Just like humans, cats can get bored of the same old thing day in and day out. If your cat isn’t interested in their water bowl, try adding a little variety to see if that gets them excited about drinking again.

You can do this by:
– Adding ice cubes to their water bowl (they love playing with them!)
– Putting a small amount of tuna juice or chicken broth in their water bowl (this will make it more appealing to them)
– Putting a drop or two of essential oil (like lavender or chamomile) in their water bowl (this will make it more fragrant and appealing to them)
– Moving their water bowl to a different location in your home (they may just be bored of the same view!)

How to Get Your Cat to Drink Water

It can be concerning when your cat doesn’t seem to be drinking enough water. There are a few reasons why this may be happening and a few things you can do to help encourage your cat to drink more water. Read on to find out more.

Add water to their food

If your cat is eating only dry food, one way to get them to drink more water is by adding some to their food. This will not only hydrate your cat but will also help them stay fuller for longer. There are a few ways you can do this:

– Purchase wet food: Wet food has a higher water content than dry food and is a great way to get your cat to drink more water.
– Add water to dry food: If your cat only eats dry food, you can add water to their kibble to help increase their intake. Simply add a quarter cup of water per cup of dry food.
– Make homemade wet food: You can also make your own wet food at home using ingredients like chicken, fish, or turkey. Simply cook the meat and add some water before serving it to your cat.

Invest in a cat water fountain

If your cat isn’t drinking enough water, one of the best things you can do is invest in a cat water fountain. Cat water fountains are designed to encourage cats to drink more water, and they can be a great way to keep your cat hydrated. There are many different types of cat water fountains on the market, so make sure to find one that your cat will like. Many pet stores will have a variety of different fountains for you to choose from.

Try different types of water

One way to encourage your cat to drink more water is by trying different types of water. Some cats prefer running water and will drink from a dripping faucet or a water fountain designed specifically for cats. Other cats prefer still water and may be more likely to drink from a bowl that isn’t constantly moving. You may need to experiment with different types of water to see what your cat prefers.

You should also make sure that the water you’re offering your cat is fresh. Cats are attracted to fresh, clean water, so empty and refill your cat’s water bowl daily. You may also want to consider using filtered or distilled water, as some tap waters can contain impurities that make them less appealing to drink.

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About the author

Alex Kountry

Alex Kountry is the founder of HayFarmGuy and has been a backyard farmer for over 10 years. Since then he has decided to write helpful articles that will help you become a better backyard farmer and know what to do. He also loves to play tennis and read books

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