How Much Water Should The Cat Drink?
The cat is an animal that usually drinks little water. This is due to its evolution, which began with the ancestor of the African wild cat (Felis lybica). This animal lived in the desert in conditions where water was scarce, and its descendants continue to have little need for hydration. But how much water does a cat need to drink to stay healthy?
Let’s find out in this article how much water our cat must drink for his daily needs and what to do when our cat does not drink enough.
How much water should the cat drink?
Cats need to ingest between 55 and 70 milliliters of water per pound of weight every day. This amount does not necessarily have to come all from his water bowl. A cat can in fact take water from different sources:
- The fresh and clear water we give him in the bowl.
- The water contained in the foods you eat.
- Metabolic water, that is, the water produced by the body thanks to biochemical processes.
Thirst in more complex animals is regulated by a set of hormones which are in turn managed by a region of the brain called the hypothalamus. On the contrary, satiety is regulated, first of all, by the contact of the mouth with water, then by the distension of the stomach and, finally, by cellular hydration (regulated by very complex interactions).
Cats are not very sensitive to water loss or, at least, less sensitive than dogs, as they can handle a lower level of hydration.
Factors affecting water consumption in cats
A cat will drink more or less water depending on several factors such as nutrition, ambient temperature and meal management.
If our cat’s meals consist exclusively of dry food, this will significantly increase his need to drink. In fact, its need increases by two millimeters for every gram of food. In fact, dry food contains a very low percentage of water.
The important thing, regardless of the type of diet we choose, is that the water balance of water consumption is preserved. The problem can appear when the cat switches from a wet to a dry diet, because it may not be able to adapt to the change in water required by the new diet. As a result, kidney problems, such as stone formation, may appear.
High temperatures can affect a cat’s water needs, but they are not as strong as dogs, which lose a lot of fluids due to exercise and sweat.
Finally, if the cat eats only once a day, water consumption decreases. The need to drink water is strongly linked to digestion; cats that have food available for the whole day will drink a lot more.
Tips for getting your cat to drink water
Cats usually drink between 12 and 16 times a day, even if they ingest a small amount of water at a time. To encourage your pet to drink more, we give you some tips:
- Put more than one drinking bowl in your home in different places.
- Change the water in the bowl at least once a day.
- The advice is to have a metal, glass or ceramic bowl.
- The water must be placed away from the sandbox and food, to avoid contamination (the cat will notice it immediately, avoiding drinking it).
- Give the cat wet food once a day, without mixing it with dry food.
Some cats prefer to drink water directly on the go. For this, try getting an electric fountain or having your cat drink from the sinks at home.
