Keeping Your Cat Hydrated

Key points:

• Cats don’t always drink much on their own, so it’s important to keep an eye on their daily hydration.
• Wet food can contribute a significant amount of moisture, while cats eating mostly dry food may need to drink more.
• Signs such as lethargy, dry gums, sunken eyes or reduced appetite can indicate dehydration.
• Wide, shallow bowls can make drinking more comfortable for many cats.
• Water fountains may encourage cats that prefer fresh, moving water to drink more often.
• Keeping water fresh, offering multiple drinking spots and placing bowls away from food can help support better hydration.

If you have a household with both a dog and a cat, you may have noticed that your dog loves gulping down water, while you hardly notice your cat taking a sip. 

Cats aren't always the most enthusiastic drinkers, so owners need to keep an eye on their intake. Good feline hydration habits don't always come naturally, which is why understanding cat hydration and knowing how to encourage it is so important.

Keep reading to learn how to keep a cat hydrated, how much water they need, the signs of dehydration to watch for, and how bowls and fountains can encourage them to drink.

How much water should a cat drink?

If you’re wondering how much water a cat should drink, a general guide is around 50–60 ml of water per kilogram of body weight each day, including both drinking water and moisture from food. 

Cats fed a wet food diet often drink less from their bowl because they're already getting moisture from meals. Cats on a mostly dry food diet typically need to drink more to make up the difference.

Kitten hydration works a little differently. Kittens have smaller bodies and less capacity to cope with fluid loss, so consistent access to fresh water is especially important as they transition to solid food, alongside their mother’s milk or an appropriate milk replacer if they’re very young.

Why is my cat not drinking water?

So, why is my cat not drinking water? There are a few possible reasons. Placing their water bowl too close to food or in a high-traffic area can be a deterrent, while stale or dirty water can also put them off.

Sometimes reduced drinking may indicate a health issue that needs investigating, particularly in older and senior cats. Other times, it may simply be your cat's preference for running water from a tap or fountain.

If your cat has always been a light drinker, it may be normal for them. However, a noticeable drop in water intake, especially alongside other changes, is worth watching closely and discussing with your vet if you’re concerned.

Signs of dehydration in cats

Knowing how to tell if a cat is dehydrated can help you catch problems early. Common cat dehydration symptoms include:

• Lethargy or reduced activity

• Dry or tacky gums

• Reduced skin elasticity

• Sunken eyes

• Reduced appetite

• Panting, which is uncommon in cats and can be a warning sign

A slightly dehydrated cat may simply seem a little flat, while more advanced dehydration can become serious. If you notice several of these signs together or your cat appears unwell, contact your vet.

What size bowl do you put fresh water in for cats?

A water bowl that holds around one to two cups of water is adequate for most adult cats without needing to be topped up throughout the day. Kittens and smaller cats may manage with less.

When choosing a bowl, make sure your cat can drink without their whiskers constantly touching the sides. Cats may prefer a shallow, wide bowl over a narrow one, keeping their sensitive whiskers comfortable while they drink.

How often do cats need a fresh water bowl?

As a general rule, traditional water bowls should be refreshed daily and thoroughly washed at least once a week with warm, soapy water before being rinsed well. Cats are sensitive to taste and smell, and stale water or residue in the bowl can be enough to put a fussy drinker off.

If you're using a water fountain, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning, water changes and filter replacement to help keep it fresh.

How to get my older cat to use a new water bowl

Cats are creatures of habit, and older cats in particular can be slow to accept change. If you're switching to a new bowl, make the transition gradual rather than replacing the old one straight away.

Place the new bowl next to the old one for a few days and let your cat investigate it in their own time. Once they're comfortable, gradually reduce the water in the old bowl and increase it in the new one until the switch is complete.

What type of bowls are best for cats?

Stainless steel and ceramic bowls are popular choices for cats. Both are easy to clean and don't tend to hold onto odours the way plastic can over time.

Plastic bowls are more prone to scratching, creating grooves where residue can collect, and some cats may be put off by the smell plastic can develop. That said, a quality plastic water bowl can still work well for many cats.

Whatever material you choose, prioritise a wide, shallow design that keeps your cat's whiskers comfortable and gives them a clear view of their surroundings while they drink.