Cat Thirst: Why Does My Cat Drink So Much Water? | Signs & Solutions

Has your cat started to drink more water than it used to? Do you find yourself having to refill their water bowls more often? Most cat owners are familiar with the problem associated with cat thirst.

When you think, “My cat drinks a lot of water,” a question that crosses your mind is, " Why?. Should it concern you, or is it one of those situations that requires you to do something about it? Cats have very particular and peculiar hydration needs, making uating their water consumption extremely tough.

In this article, we explain why your cat’s thirst could be abnormal while providing tips on controlling its excessive thirst. We aim to help you differentiate between the normal thirst level for cats and one that indicates a visit to the veterinarian's office.

What's Normal When It Comes to Cat Drinking Habits?

To spot extremes, it helps to know cats' “normal” drinking behaviour. The earliest signs include older or younger cats showing drinking or behavioral problems. Cats usually consume around 3.5-4.5 oz of water per 5 pounds of their body weight for hydration. Yet, this doesn’t mean there should be endless water in the cat's bowls.

Water intake alongside food parameters:

Cats receive two forms of nutrition, which must be complemented with water, + dry food that contains 80% water. Cats eating wet food do better, but those fed on supplementary food only have less adaptable bodies that are chronically dependent on increased water intake.

Younger and older cats differ from prime adults, who need more water for feeding or hydration. Activity levels, the temperature of the house, and age are other factors that dictate hydration levels in a cat.

Cats that are highly attracted to water are often seen as quirky. While they may play with various liquids, this doesn't mean they’re getting extra hydration. Most of these drinks simply tide them over. Cats can spend hours splashing at the surface with their paws, seemingly for fun. But despite the amusing sight, it’s a mistake to think their playful splashing adds to their actual water intake.

Signs That Your Cat Is Drinking More Water Than Normal

In the case of your cat excessively drinking water, how do you know your concern is justified?

Here are some matters for your consideration:

● Your cat is spending a lot more time at their watering hole.

● You mystically observe your feline searching for blicky sinks, toilets, or other bizarre places they can get water.

● You're to refill their water bowl more often than you used to.

● Their hyperfixation is water for some reason, with no drinking occurring.

● You need to clean the litter box more often since it has larger clumps that require cleaning.

If you observe any of these signals, it is truthful to say something is wrong. Paying attention to the sudden increase in water your cat consumes eventually requires your attention.

Sometimes, everything is gradual, making it increasingly harder to observe. Observing your cat's behavior will help track changes early over time.

Medical Conditions That Can Cause Increased Thirst in Cats

When excessive thirst in cats becomes apparent, it could point to several underlying health conditions. Here are some common medical reasons your cat might be drinking more:

● Diabetes Mellitus

Glucose metabolism is impaired in the body due to a condition that almost every organism has – diabetes. Diabetes, as mentioned before, pours excess glucose into a person's kidneys; in a cat's case, it would be sugar that is filtered along with water required in the diabetic stage or catabolism, which is energy-producing tissue within the cell, termed as glucose. Therefore, there is a greater need for water and liquid expelled through urination.

The expectation in cats is that diabetes would also bring about some weight loss along with increased blood sugar, and that hemodynamic obesity is quite common in middle-aged cats. Educating about nutrition can help manage and prevent such diabetic conditions in cats.

● Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease is also common in older cats. The chronic kidney disease–associated symptoms worsen the cat’s kidney damage from the underlying medical disorder suffered by kidney disease, once there’s a gradual progression of other system symptoms.

According to a study published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, about 30-40% of cats over 10 years old develop some form of kidney disease. Early detection through noticing increased thirst can lead to better management of this condition.

Discover essential tips for protecting your cat's kidneys and ensuring lifelong health—learn more at Protecting Your Cat's Kidneys.

● Hyperthyroidism

Clinical benign hyperthyroidism diagnosis is characterized by overproduction of thyroid hormone, leading cats to undergo a drastic increase in their basal metabolic rate. Weight loss in cats is a major concern for every pet parent. Cat parents should be aware that fur babies change behavior to restlessness, excessive drinking and urinating, and vomiting, indicative of a shift in basal rate once the limit is crossed.

● Urinary Tract Infections

Bladder infections might cause inflammation and irritation, making urine excretion more frequent. Cats drink more than normal to compensate for low levels of water in the body. It is also likely that your pupils will catch your fur baby engaging in straining antics while in the litter box, and urinating outside the litter box.

● Medication Side Effects

Some medications, which are referred to as ‘thirst disorders’, may be used to treat some underlying conditions associated with other medical diseases. An example would be corticosteroids, which are noted to cause polydipsia and polyuria in cats.

If your cat's extreme thirst is accompanied by increased apathy, lethargy, depression, vomiting, or appetite changes, they should see a vet immediately. Alleviating the adverse effects and damage of the treatment becomes easier, faster, and cheaper with the right diagnosis.

Environmental Factors That May Cause Your Cat to Drink More

Not all cases of increased thirst in cats are due to medical conditions. Sometimes the explanation is simply environmental. Here are some situations that might explain why your cat is drinking more water:

Hot Weather

Much like humans, cats also require more fluids during high-temperature seasons. Suppose your feline friend appears to use the water bowl more during summer or even in winter when your house is heated. In that case, a medical professional should be consulted.

Eating Only Dry Food

If you’ve recently switched from wet food to dry food, then it only makes sense that your pet kitty’s soaring water drinking would assist in balancing out their moisture content intake. Studies show that cats eating an exclusively dry diet tend to drink water more frequently than those eating wet food.

Exercise and Activity Level

The more active a cat becomes, the more water they will require. If your pet cat is suddenly more active than they used to be, as a result of new toys, their increased water intake may very well be a product of higher activity levels.

Stress or Anxiety

What is more interesting is that some cats under stress will drink more water. The causes of stress can include reorganizing furniture or new pets. Similarly, there can be changes in food and drink intake.

Changes in Food Salt Content

As we saw earlier, sodium content varies between different brands and types of cat food. If a particular brand has a higher salt concentration, thirst will surely be higher. This may be the case for the food you recently purchased for your cat.

These external factors help explain whether behavioral change is due to some internal medical complication. Moreover, ensuring your cat has free access to clean water is important.

When to Be Concerned About Your Cat's Water Intake

Some owners will view changes in drinking patterns as normal, but there are other instances when a cat's thirst warrants calling your veterinarian. Here’s when to be concerned:

● Increase in drinking is abrupt and severe

● Your cat appears to be exceptionally thirsty and always has water available.

● They are excessively thirsty, presenting other symptoms like weight loss, lethargy, or decreased appetite.

● Your cat is displaying changes in urinating habits (particularly straining to urinate, which can be life-threatening).

● Your cat is drinking from available sources that are not considered typical when there is an enhanced supply of clean water.

● The greater volume of water is drunk over several days.

Keep in mind that cats excel at showing illness. The lack of obvious symptoms may indicate that there is a progressive condition. This is precisely why being cautious about changes such as water intake is crucial. Our pet care specialists recommend regular health checks or routine monitoring as part of responsible pet ownership.

If you are worried about your cat's drinking behavior, consider observing its water intake for a day or two. Just measure water in a bowl and check the remaining amount after 24 hours. You can provide this information to your veterinarian, which will be helpful.

Helping Your Cat Stay Properly Hydrated

Whether your cat drinks too much water due to a medical condition or simply because of its natural needs, drinking enough water benefits the cat’s well-being. To help achieve that, here are useful tips you may find fitting:

Propose Different Water Sources

Cats are sensitive creatures. Some cats prefer to find things on their own, while others are more orderly and enjoy everything brought to them. This means some water bowls can be set up outside while others must be inside the house.

Think About Getting A Cat Water Fountain

Most cats enjoy water that flows as opposed to water that is stationary or sits in a single spot. The WOPET Ceramics Pet Water Fountain is a fantastic option that promotes drinking because it continuously flows. Furthermore, the unit has no wires, which means no messy cords to deal with, and it is made from ceramic, which is clean and pleasing to the eye.

WOPET Glitter Water Fountain: For the cats who enjoy a bit of dazzle in their lives, this water fountain has ultra-silent operation and decorative elements that can capture your cat’s attention and spark their interest in properly hydrating.

Check the Cleanliness of Water

Selecting the right pet water fountain for cats is a daunting task. Cats are notoriously finicky, and their hygiene standards leave much to be desired. Maintaining a cat’s water fountain means changing the water daily, cleaning the bowl, sanitizing it to keep it free of bacteria, and scrubbing it till all steps are met.

Increase Water Content In Food

If cats are drinking large amounts of water and if that raises some concerns, consider giving them wet food more often. Their moisture will increase naturally, which may greatly reduce the water intake. To make feeding more convenient, try using an automatic cat feeder designed for wet food to ensure your cat always has access to fresh, hydrated meals.

Frozen Water Cubes For Cats To Lick

Like all pets, cats deserve a special treat every once in a while. Some cats love to play with ice cubes, and the added activity can increase their water consumption during warm weather. To keep your kitty happy and healthy, try some of our pros' most innovative and useful pet care advice.

Flavored Water (With Caution)

Try gently adding a splash of tuna juice and a few drops of chicken broth to the water bowl of timid cats. Docile drinking dogs should try it, but they must avoid sudden movements. Also, the added juice must not contain much salt, onion, or garlic.

Equally important as for any pet, hydration is crucial for cats as it facilitates digestion, maintains the health of the urinary tract, and enhances overall vitality. One of the best things you can do for your cat is make it easier for it to get its water.

Conclusion: Understanding Your Cat's Unique Needs

When thinking about a cat’s water consumption, considering any medical issues is something that is generally forgotten. To understand your cat, must understand them well enough to know the boundaries you have set and the changes that could happen within those parameters.

Providing water to drink is one of the best ways to mitigate a cat's most commonly encountered health concern: the debilitating urinary tract issue. The ability to notice drinking patterns alters depending on the changes they tend to make, and that is remarkable for your pet's health.

You must bear in mind that no two cats are alike. A behavior that is normal for one cat might be excessive for another. The optimum way to guarantee the well-being of your animal is through routinely regulated veterinary visits and home care.

If you're concerned about excessive thirst in cats, don't hesitate to consult your veterinarian. And if you're looking for ways to encourage healthy drinking habits, consider investing in a high-quality water fountain from WOPET to make hydration more appealing for your furry friend.

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