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Most cats don’t drink sufficient water. As a result of cats are so self-sufficient, we assume they know what’s finest for his or her well being, and plenty of occasions they do. However I realized the significance of getting a cat to drink extra water — with a medical scare that concerned a dehydrated cat. So, is your cat not ingesting water or is your cat not ingesting sufficient water? We’ve outlined what it’s good to find out about cats ingesting water, the right way to get your cat to drink water and extra:
The cautionary story of 1 dehydrated cat
A cat not ingesting water might result in severe issues. A few years in the past, my cat Pugsley was spending a whole lot of time within the litter field, straining to pee. Nothing was popping out. One thing informed me this was not good. Once I picked him up round his center and he cried out in ache, I knew he was in bother. It was Friday evening at 10 (in fact) and I rushed him to the emergency vet. Thank goodness I did.
Related: How Much Water Should a Cat Drink?
Pugsley’s urethra was clogged with urinary stones — one of many unwanted side effects of a cat not ingesting water, or a cat not ingesting sufficient water. They’re like a “plug” of soppy, compressible materials consisting of minerals, cells and mucus-like protein. Urine backs up and the kidneys can’t take away toxins from the blood or hold fluids and electrolytes in steadiness. This may result in dying inside 24 to 48 hours if not handled instantly.
Fortunately, Pugsley was handled in time, however the vet informed me the No. 1 option to forestall him from reblocking and probably requiring surgical procedure was to maintain him hydrated. You higher imagine I began wanting into methods to get my cats to drink extra water.
However a blocked urethra isn’t the one medical situation that outcomes from a cat not ingesting water. Simply as with people, cats’ urinary well being is tied on to water consumption, so issues like urinary tract infections and crystals are much less seemingly in a well-hydrated cat. Digestive well being additionally advantages from elevated water consumption. I’ve made it a precedence to strive all the things I can to get my cats to drink extra water.
Is your cat not ingesting water, or not ingesting sufficient water? Keep away from having a dehydrated cat by getting your cat to drink extra water:
1. Swap to a principally wet-food diet
Canned meals merely has extra moisture. In keeping with my vet, that is the best option to get your cat to drink extra water and keep away from a dehydrated cat.
In case your cat won’t eat moist meals, add water or broth to dry meals and see if he’ll eat that. In case your cat digs canned meals, add water or broth to it to make it even wetter. Some cats love the soupy consistency this creates.
2. Attempt ice cubes in your cat’s meals
It provides moisture and it’s like a bit deal with for the cat. The dice takes on the meals’s taste, and whereas your cat’s licking the dice, he’s getting extra water, too. Ice cubes in your cat’s water bowl would possibly work with a cat not ingesting water, too. Some cats want icy-cold water, similar to some people do.
3. Serve smaller, extra frequent meals
Consuming prompts thirst, so a cat not ingesting water would possibly drink extra water if he will get meals extra usually.
4. Place water bowls all through the home
Make it tremendous simple to your cat to get himself a drink by providing a number of agua stations all through the home. These personalized bowls from Frisco are enjoyable ($12.99, Chewy). A cat not ingesting water might need bother accessing the water in query. My cat Romeo loves ingesting water out of my cups. Leaving just a few strategically positioned ingesting glasses round would possibly entice your cat to drink extra water, too.
5. Concentrate on the water bowl’s location
A cat not ingesting water won’t like his water bowl’s location. Preserve your cat’s water bowl away from his litter box. Would you wish to drink close to your bathroom?
6. Be certain the bowls are refilled usually
Cats like contemporary water — and who can blame them? Be certain to alter the water at the least as soon as a day and wash out the bowl utterly with cleaning soap and water usually to maintain it from getting slimy and gross.
7. Faucet into the tap
In case your cat is drawn to operating water, use this as an ideal alternative to get him to drink extra! A cat not ingesting water would possibly simply want you to show ingesting water right into a enjoyable recreation. Attempt operating the tap a couple of minutes a number of occasions a day. Construct it into your morning and night routine, for instance, and create some good bonding time … over a protracted, chilly drink of water!
8. Taste the water
A cat not ingesting water would possibly drink flavored water! You’ll be able to attempt to make your cats drink extra water by flavoring it with a little bit of tuna juice or rooster broth.
9. Use cat fountains
Many cats like ingesting out of fountains. It’d take some time for them to get the grasp of it, however as soon as they do, they’ll like it! Fountains like this one from Cate Mate ($27.95, Chewy) are engaging as a result of the shifting water is attention-grabbing to the cat and it stays contemporary. This undoubtedly helps in case you neglect to alter your cat’s bowl day by day.
10. Experiment with various kinds of cat bowls
Cats are finicky about nearly all the things (massive shocker!), and you’ll go forward and add ingesting bowls to that record. Check just a few out (glass, chrome steel, ceramic or plastic) and also you would possibly uncover your cat has a particular desire.
The underside line on what to find out about a cat not ingesting water
We will all stand to drink extra water, and your cat isn’t any exception. Serving to your cat to drink extra water has many advantages and helps you keep away from the harmful well being problems with a dehydrated cat. Extra water = extra peeing = more healthy kitty = happier all people!
Prime {photograph}: Konstantin Aksenov/ Getty Photos
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