Boost Cat Hydration: 5 Easy Tips for More Water Drinkin
How can we encourage our cats to drink more water? First, let's figure out how to determine if our feline friends are getting enough hydration.
It's a common misconception to assume that if your cat isn't drinking much of the water you provide, it's not drinking enough. Cats obtain water from various sources daily, including freely available water, moisture in their food, and metabolic water. To accurately assess their water intake, you need to subtract the water they get from their diet. For instance, if a cat consumes 300 grams of dry kibble and 100 grams of wet food, it has already ingested 300 grams 10% + 100 grams 80% = 110ml of water from its food alone.
1. Generally, dry cat food contains only about 10% moisture, whereas wet food like canned food has around 80% moisture. For example, if a cat eats 300 grams of dry kibble and 100 grams of canned food in a day, it has already obtained 110ml of water from its diet.
2. The primary focus when observing a cat's water intake should be on the amount of water it drinks freely.
Understanding a cat's water needs and sources can help you easily determine if it's drinking enough. Here are some signs to look out for:
The skin on the back of the cat's neck should snap back quickly when pulled.
The coat should be lustrous without any dandruff.
The cat should urinate 23 times a day, which you can check by examining the litter box.
What if your cat just won't drink water? Here are some tips to make them more inclined to hydrate:
Add a little water to their wet food. However, avoid doing this with dry kibble as it can spoil and make the cat lose interest in eating.
Use glass or stainless steel bowls, as some plastic bowls have flavors that cats may not like.
Ensure the water is clean and fresh, and change it daily.
Sprinkle some catnip in the water bowl; it can be a real hit!
Try to limit the amount of tap water your cat drinks, as many cats dislike the taste of chlorine.
Cats are drawn to flowing water, so consider using a catspecific automatic water fountain.
