Cat Drinking a Lot of Water? We often hear about cats and dogs drinking excessive amounts of water, but it’s important to monitor this if it continues. Cats and dogs need specific quantities of water to stay healthy, so it is important to know how much your pet is drinking daily.
There are some simple things you can do to prevent excessive water consumption, such as scheduling regular water breaks for your pet, providing a constant water source, and providing other fluids in addition to water to help keep them hydrated. It’s normal for pets to drink more than usual during the summer months, so don’t be alarmed if your cat or dog seems to down four extra bowls of water each day!
While cats typically don’t drink as much water as dogs, it’s still important to keep an eye on their intake. If you notice your cat drinking a lot of water, it could be a sign of a health issue. Here are some things to look out for and when you should see a vet.
How Much Water Should a Cat Drink?
Cats shouldn’t consume more than 100ml of water per kilogram of body weight in a single day. A 4-kilogram cat should only consume 400 cc of water each day. The best way to do this is to check their water bowl every day and see how much they drink.
This will give you an idea of how much they’re actually drinking and therefore how much you should be buying them. But if you notice that they’re going through their bowl very quickly, it’s time to worry.
That’s because it means they may be drinking too much. It’s important to note that it’s normal for a kitten to drink and eat a lot of water when they’re young, as they lose a lot of moisture through their skin and hair.
However, as they grow older, they will eventually stop drinking so much. If you notice that they’re still drinking a lot of water even after they’ve stopped growing, it’s time to talk to your vet.
Why Is My Cat Drinking So Much Water?
![When to Worry About Your Cat Drinking a Lot of Water 2 Cat Drinking a Lot of Water](https://petsmartgo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Cat-Drinking-a-Lot-of-Water.jpeg)
A cat drinking a lot of water could be a number of things. A common issue is that their stool has dried up or is coming out dry, which makes them drink more water to moisten their stool.
Another problem is urinary tract infections. These are common in cats and can cause your pet to drink excessively. If you notice your cat drinking a lot of water even after they’ve gone to the bathroom, this is an indication they may have a urinary tract infection. Other reasons why a cat might drink a lot of water include old age, kidney issues, or an electrolyte imbalance.
The temperature outside and whether they are given wet or dry food should also be taken into account. Although cats who exclusively eat dry food often have beautiful teeth, they will need to drink more water than cats that eat wet food. Our veterinarian’s guide on dry vs. wet cat food has further details on the advantages and disadvantages of each kind of food for cats.
Dehydration in Cats: Symptoms and Causes
Dehydration is a common issue for cats and can have many different causes. Symptoms include:
- Sunken eyes
- Depression
- Lack of energy
- Dry, itchy skin
- Weight loss/underweight cats
- Difficulty breathing
The most important thing to do when you notice any of these symptoms is to get your cat to the vet as soon as possible. The sooner they’re given fluids and medication, the better the chances of a full recovery.
6 Possible Causes of Excessive Thirst in Cats
1. Kidney Issues
if your cat is drinking a lot of water and urinating frequently, this could be a sign of a urinary tract infection. Urinary tract infections are very common in cats and often go undiagnosed until they’re quite severe. Many cats will not show any symptoms but will still have an infection. If your cat has been diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection and is already dehydrated, the stress of the upper respiratory infection can make them drink excessively and get worse. If left untreated, these infections can lead to life-threatening complications.
2. Old Age
If your cat is no longer growing, then they will not be drinking as much water as they used to. This can cause dehydration, especially if their weight is also declining.
3. Ketosis
If your cat is vomiting or not eating well, this can lead to ketosis. Ketosis is a state where the body starts using fat as an energy source. Because cats have very little fat compared to humans, they will start using up muscle and other vital organs. One of the biggest symptoms of ketosis is increased thirst.
4. Heartworms
Heartworms are parasites that live in your cat’s heart and lungs. When they are active, they will release an anticoagulant into the bloodstream which can lead to coagulation problems. The resulting low blood pressure causes your cat to drink more fluid to maintain healthy blood pressure.
5. Kidney Stones
If your cat is experiencing pain when urinating or has blood in its urine, this could be a sign of a kidney stone. This problem can quickly get worse if your cat is not given the appropriate care. 6. Weather – if your cat is already suffering from dehydration, the effects of bad weather can be catastrophic. In many cases, you won’t know your cat is dehydrated until it’s too late.
When to see the Vet for your Cat’s Excessive Thirst
If your cat’s drinking habits have changed, think about if there are any possible causes, such as warmer weather or a change in diet.
It’s also worthwhile, if they’re healthy, to keep a check on their thirst for a few days to see whether it subsides and keep an eye out for any other signs. Make an appointment with your veterinarian if your cat is feeling poorly, has been drinking more than usual for more than a day or two, or exhibits any other signs.
Signs That Your Cat May Be Drinking Too Much Water
- Increased urination – the frequency and quantity of urine can increase
- Lethargy
- Not eating well or eating less than usual
- Slowly losing weight
- Dry eyes, mouth or fur
- A decreased appetite
If you notice any of these symptoms in your cat, then you should take them to the vet.
Try to determine why your cat is drinking so much water. Are they suffering from a urinary tract infection, or are they bored and begging for attention?
How to Help a Cat Who Is Drinking Too Much Water
The first thing you should do is try to identify the cause of your cat’s increased thirst. For example, if they are drinking a lot of water and gaining weight then it could be from eating too much good quality food but this may not be the case if they’re urinating more often or developing urinary problems.
If you’re still unsure about what’s going on, or your cat is exhibiting any other symptoms, such as vomiting, lethargy, or diarrhea, then take them to the vet.
If you’re feeding a dry food diet, be sure to always provide fresh water in a bowl or dish. You may also wish to try adding a bit of canned tuna to your diet as it’s high in fat and will help reduce thirst.
Cats are not good at processing salt so try to avoid adding any extra salt to their food. Adding canned pumpkin or apple sauce could help too.
Put a non-stick pan filled with about 1 inch of water on the stove top and turn the heat to low. Make sure that the cat has access to this.
FAQ: Cat Drinking a Lot of Water
Q: My cat is drinking a lot of water and meowing excessively
A: The frequent drinking and meowing of your cat may indicate hyperthyroidism. Cats with this illness may become more talkative, agitated, and sometimes on edge.
This may indicate that they are more active when they normally wouldn’t be and that they are sometimes quite noisy as well. Of course, sometimes their increased vocalization is a result of increased hunger and a need for food, but it may also be random.
Q: My cat is drinking a lot of water and peeing outside their litter tray
A: A number of medical issues might be the reason why your cat is drinking more and urinating outside of the litter box. Every ailment that causes your cat to need to drink more will, in turn, cause them to need to urinate more often. It may also be brought on by infections or inflammation of the urinary system, in addition to diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and ailments with the kidneys and liver.
Q: My cat drinks a lot of water and never stops eating.
A: Your cat may have hyperthyroidism if they seem to be very thirsty and ravenous all the time. Other signs that they may exhibit include vomiting, weight loss, vocalization, hyperactivity, or changes to their respiratory pattern.
There are several treatments to manage hyperthyroidism, including medication and surgery. However, in order to confirm the diagnosis, your veterinarian will first need to do several tests.
Q: My cat has diarrhea and is drinking a lot of water.
A: If your cat has diarrhea and is drinking a lot, it may be that they are just refilling the fluid they lost via waste. Dehydration may occur quickly if your cat is vomiting or having diarrhea, after all.
However, bear in mind that every cat is unique, even if diarrhea isn’t a common indication of illnesses that cause excessive thirst. Therefore, if your cat exhibits signs of illness or exhibits a change in its regular behavior, it is wise to seek medical assistance.
Q: My cat is drinking a lot of water and losing weight
A: Your kitty buddy may have hyperthyroidism if they are drinking more and losing weight. Your cat could get very hungry from having too much thyroid hormone, as well as loud and somewhat agitated. Thyroid hormone raises their blood pressure from the inside, which over time may result in heart failure.
Weight loss and increased thirst are brought on by conditions other than hyperthyroidism. Similar symptoms may be caused by liver and renal diseases, albeit often not by an increase in hunger.
Diabetes may also sometimes result in weight loss. You can see why the doctor will need to inspect your pet and maybe run some tests before coming to a conclusion.
Conclusion: Cat Drinking a Lot of Water
If you are concerned that your cat is drinking too much water, it’s important to look at the possible causes rather than panic. Most cats will drink more if they have access to clean water so if you can provide them with this it may help them to drink less water.
Is your cat suffering from a urinary tract infection, bored and thirsty?
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