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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 lots 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 essential learn about cats ingesting water, methods 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 problems. 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 advised me this was not good. After 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 sentimental, 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 will result in demise inside 24 to 48 hours if not handled instantly.
Fortunately, Pugsley was handled in time, however the vet advised me the No. 1 solution to stop him from reblocking and probably requiring surgical procedure was to maintain him hydrated. You higher consider I began trying into methods to get my cats to drink extra water.
However a blocked urethra isn’t the one medical problem 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 doubtless in a well-hydrated cat. Digestive well being additionally advantages from elevated water consumption. I’ve made it a precedence to strive all the pieces 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 solution 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. Strive ice cubes in your cat’s meals
It provides moisture and it’s like somewhat 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, identical 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. Hold your cat’s water bowl away from his litter box. Would you need to drink close to your rest room?
6. Make certain the bowls are refilled repeatedly
Cats like contemporary water — and who can blame them? Make certain to vary the water a minimum of as soon as a day and wash out the bowl fully with cleaning soap and water repeatedly to maintain it from getting slimy and gross.
7. Faucet into the tap
In case your cat is drawn to working water, use this as a terrific 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 sport. Strive working 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 an extended, chilly drink of water!
8. Taste the water
A cat not ingesting water would possibly drink flavored water! You possibly can attempt to make your cats drink extra water by flavoring it with a little bit of tuna juice or hen broth.
9. Use cat fountains
Many cats like ingesting out of fountains. It’d take some time for them to get the dangle of it, however as soon as they do, they’ll find it irresistible! Fountains like this one from Cate Mate ($27.95, Chewy) are engaging as a result of the transferring water is fascinating to the cat and it stays contemporary. This positively helps when you overlook to vary your cat’s bowl each day.
10. Experiment with several types of cat bowls
Cats are finicky about nearly all the pieces (large shocker!), and you may go forward and add ingesting bowls to that record. Check just a few out (glass, stainless-steel, ceramic or plastic) and also you would possibly uncover your cat has a particular choice.
The underside line on what to learn about a cat not ingesting water
We are able to all stand to drink extra water, and your cat is not 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 everyone!
High {photograph}: Konstantin Aksenov/ Getty Pictures
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