How do I get my cat to drink more water?

If your cat drinks very little, you're not alone. Most cats have a weak sense of thirst, and many get less fluid than they need. In short, the best ways to help are to feed wet food and keep the water away from the food bowl and litter box. A wide bowl or water fountain also helps, and the water needs to be fresh every day. Here we go into more detail about each point and when there's reason to contact a vet.

Why do cats drink so little?

The ancestors of domestic cats lived in dry areas and got nearly all their fluid from prey. A mouse or bird is largely water. That's why cats have a weaker thirst drive than dogs and humans. A cat won't necessarily drink even if it needs fluid.

This matters little if the food is wet. However, a cat that eats only dry food needs to make up the fluid by drinking, and many cats do poorly at this. In autumn and winter, it gets worse because cats are indoors more, move less, and the air in heated homes is drier.

How much water does a cat need?

A common guideline is that a cat needs about 40–60 ml of fluid per kilogram of body weight per day. This refers to fluid from food and drink combined. A four-kilogram cat therefore needs around 200 ml per day. This is a rough guideline and the need depends on age, activity, temperature, and diet.

Food	Water content (approx.)	What does it mean?
Wet food	75–80%	The cat gets a large portion of its fluid from the food.
Dry food	about 10%	The cat needs to drink most of the fluid itself.

If you're wondering whether wet food or dry food suits your cat better, it's good to read our guide Dry food or wet food for cats?

Eight tips to get your cat to drink more

1. Add wet food to the diet

The easiest way to increase fluid is for the cat to get it with its food. You don't have to stop dry food completely. Many people give one or two meals of wet food per day and dry food in between. Wet food in broth works especially well because the broth adds fluid. Examples are Extrafood tuna and salmon in broth and Extrafood chicken fillets in broth, which are free from grain, gluten, and added sugar. If you're looking for wet food with a single protein source, Purrrr N° 107 with kangaroo is a good choice. Those who want high meat content can try Classic N° 11 with lamb and rabbit. You'll find the full range in the collection wet food for cats, and if your kitty is picky, taster packs can help you find what she likes.

2. Add a little water to the food

You can stir a tablespoon or two of lukewarm water into the wet food. Most cats barely notice, but the daily fluid intake increases. Start with a small amount so the cat gets used to the change.

3. Keep the water away from the food and litter box

In nature, cats avoid drinking near prey or waste, and many domestic cats retain this behavior. Try moving the water bowl a few meters from the food area and always keep it far from the litter box.

4. Choose the right bowl

Many cats prefer a wide and shallow bowl where their whiskers don't touch the edges. Bowls made of ceramic, glass, or stainless steel are generally better than plastic bowls. Plastic can get scratched over time and retain odors that deter some cats.

5. Have more than one water bowl

Put water in two to three places around the home, for example on each floor and in the cat's favorite spots. The shorter the distance to water, the more likely the cat is to take a sip along the way. In homes with more than one cat, multiple bowls also reduce the chances of one cat keeping the others away from the water.

6. Change the water daily

Cats are sensitive to smell and taste. Water that has been sitting for a long time and collected dust or hair is not appealing. Rinse the bowl and fill it with fresh water at least once a day.

7. Try running water

Do you recognize the cat that jumps onto the sink as soon as the tap is turned on? Many cats find running water more attractive than still water in a bowl. That's where a water fountain comes in handy (see more below).

8. Monitor drinking over the winter

When the cat is indoors more and moves less, it's good to watch more closely whether it's drinking and eating as usual. Then you'll notice changes sooner.

Water fountain – what to keep in mind?

A water fountain keeps the water moving and therefore suits many cats that don't want to drink from a bowl. The HYDR water fountain encourages the cat to drink more clean water and promotes better drinking habits. You'll find more types in the collection water fountains.

A few things to keep in mind:

• Change the filter regularly. For HYDR, it's recommended to change the filter every 4–5 weeks, and the filters come five in a pack.
• Clean the fountain regularly. Take it apart and rinse all parts so slime and hair don't build up.
• Give the cat time. Some cats are suspicious at first. Keep the old bowl in place for the first few days and let the cat get to know the fountain on its own terms.
• Location matters here too. The same rules apply as for bowls: away from food and litter box, in a quiet spot.

When should you contact a vet?

The advice above applies to healthy cats that simply drink less than ideal. If you notice a change, it's right to seek advice from a vet. This applies whether the cat suddenly starts drinking much more than before or almost stops drinking. The same goes if they seem lethargic, eat less, or if there's a change in urination, for example more or fewer clumps in the litter box than usual. The vet can assess whether something is wrong and advise on food that suits your cat.

It rarely takes complicated changes for your cat to get more fluids. Wet food, fresh water in a wide bowl in the right place, and even a water fountain often make a big difference. Try one or two tips at a time and see what works for your kitty. If you want help choosing, you're welcome to stop by at Nýbýlavegur 10 or check out cat products at mori.is.