Why Won’t My Cat Drink Water? 7 Hidden Health Issues

Cats are mysterious creatures, and their owner surely isn’t able to understand what they do. No doubt, lack of interest in drinking water is one problem that cat parents worry about the most.

It’s easy to assume that your cat is being fussy, but that’s not the case. Keeping your feline friend hydrated is important for almost everything, including kidney function, digestion and more.

Although many cats appear to completely avoid their water bowl altogether, that doesn’t mean that something is necessarily wrong with your cat.

To keep your cat happy and healthy, you need to know why they behave this way. So lets see why won’t my cat drink water?

Understanding a Cat’s Natural Relationship with Water

Looking back at a cat’s evolutionary history can help to understand why your cat might avoid water.

The domestic cat is descended from desert dwelling felines that lived in areas in which water was scarce.

Their bodies were able to pull water out of the food these wild ancestors fed on—small mammals and birds and relied greatly on drinking prey for hydration.

And that’s why modern types of cats, at least those that don’t go to fancy cat shows, still carry this evolutionary trait their thirst drive is so low compared with the other animals.

Cats don’t drink water like dogs they’re not hogs; they take their time and show more restraint.

If they are not on a diet, they need to have their environment force on them instinctively to drink water.

Dehydration in Cats: Signs Your Cat May be Dehydrated

By the time you notice that your cat is dehydrated, it is probably too late. All of us pets will also vary in our responses, which might include:

• Dryness of gum or a sticky feeling in the mouth.
• Sunken eyes or a dull coat.
• Loss of skin elasticity Pinch some skin on the back of their neck lightly; if it doesn’t snap back easily, they may be dehydrated.
• Symptoms may include Dehydration that occurs over time and can result in serious health problems such as kidney damage, urinary tract infections, and worst of all, organ failure.

So recognising these signs early on really makes all the difference.

Also read: Why Is My Cat Suddenly Clingy? 5 Surprising Vet Reasons

Why do cats avoid drinking water?

Cats are creatures of habit and sensitivity, and several factors can influence their water-drinking behaviour:

• Preference for running water: Most cats will instinctively prefer running water as it is thought to be more fresher and safer. That’s why you’ll often see cats drinking water from a dripping faucet, or worse, a water fountain.
  
• Sensitivity to taste and smell: Cats have a great sense of smell, and they may avoid water that is bad to the smell or to the taste. Chlorine or some chemicals in the tap water can make them unappealing.
  
• Dislike of certain water bowl materials: The plastic bowls hold on to odours, but you may find the metal or ceramic bowls more odourless. Surprisingly, particular cats can be about this.
  
• Location of the water bowl: If you put the water bowl too close to their food, litter box or in a busy area, your cat will likely avoid it.
  
• Stress or environmental changes: They pick up on their environment really easily. They don’t love a new home, a new pet, or sometimes even a new type of water bowl.

Also read: Why Is My Cat Obsessed With Me? bad cat behaviour

The Role of Diet in a Cat’s Water Intake

Hydration is an important part of a cat’s diet. Dry kibble is only about 10 percent moisture, so cats that are primarily being fed on dry kibble will need additional water as a supplement.

But, whereas wet or canned food might contain as much as 80 percent moisture, it does not leave the animal any requirement for more drinking.

However, if you feed your cat a diet solely based on dry food, they likely are not consuming enough water (since they aren’t getting water from a separate source either).

Switching over to a diet consisting mostly of wet food can make a huge difference in their hydration.

Also read: Why Is My Cat Gagging? Common Causes and What to Do

Water consumption may also affect other health issues.

However, it is sometimes a sign that something is wrong in your cat’s health. Common conditions that affect water intake include:

• Kidney disease: Kidney disease is a common ailment in older cats, it can cause increased thirst and decreased drinking due to nausea or discomfort.
  
• Urinary tract problems: Drinking water is painful or uncomfortable for your cat under conditions such as urinary tract infections or bladder stones.
  
• Dental pain: If a cat happens to have dental issues, like gum disease or tooth decay, drinking water can be painful, and that cat may simply refuse to drink.
  
• Nausea or gastrointestinal issues: The reason cats may avoid water if they’re feeling nauseous is that water is actually bad for them when they’re nauseous because it exacerbates it.
  
• Behavioural factors: Changes in a cat’s drinking habits can also be a sign of stress, anxiety or depression.

Also read: Do Cats Have Good Listening? – secret Truth! By VET

How to Make A Cat Friendly Water Drinking Environment

This can create the right environment for your cat so as to encourage them to drink water. Here are some tips:

• Choose the right bowl: If you can’t get ceramic or stainless, you don’t want plastic or porcelain. Try to find plastic bowls as less as possible.
  
• Placement matters: Put the water bowl in a quiet, low traffic area, some place away from food and litter boxes. Cats like to drink in a quiet, not disturbed place.
  
• Consider a water fountain: There is a fascination for many cats with running water. A purchase of a pet water fountain can encourage your pet to drink more often.

Also read: How to Remove Cat Urine Odor from Carpet – cats idea

Encouraging Your Cat to Drink More Water

If your cat still isn’t drinking enough water, try these creative strategies:

• Add flavor to the water: You can add a small amount of tuna juice or low sodium chicken broth to make water more attractive to your cat.
  
• Mix water with wet food: Adding water to their wet food allows their hydration to increase without them realizing it.
  
• Offer ice cubes: some cats may enjoy it’ll just lick or play with ice cubes, which are a good fun way to hydrate a cat.
  
• Experiment with water sources: If your cat doesn’t seem to like tap water, attempt to offer bottled or filtered water.

When to Seek Veterinary Help

If you tried everything short of trying hop Scotch to get your cat to drink more water and have had no luck, then it might be time to take your feline to the vet. Warning signs that require immediate attention include:

• There is persistent vomiting or diarrhoea

• Signs and symptoms include blood in the urine or difficult urination.

• On the other hand, if doing this isn’t enough to notice a significant weight loss or the cat feels lethargic, there’s likely a more serious problem at play.

If you suspect cancer, a vet can perform diagnostic tests to see if there are any underlying health problems and suggest treatments or dietary changes if necessary.

warp up on Why Won’t My Cat Drink Water

It is very important to ensure your cat stays hydrated. If you understand their natural behaviours, know how to address potential obstacles, and are able to give them a cat friendly drinking environment, you can help your feline friend to stay at optimal health.

It’s important to always be on the lookout for signs of dehydration, and if you ever have concerns you should consult your vet.

If you put a bit of effort and care into it, your cat can stay happy, and hydrated and thrive for years to come.

Also read: How to Bring a Cat to a Hotel – expert best review

FAQ: Why Won’t My Cat Drink Water