For a few days now, you have noticed that your cat is no longer drinking . He is eating as usual, but no longer touches his little bowl or glass of water. Should you be worried? And if so, how can you help your cat drink more ? We explain everything in this article.
My cat isn't drinking much, should I be worried?
It all depends on his diet.
It is important to know that cats are naturally small drinkers. In their natural environment, they drink little and hydrate themselves mainly through their food; they draw water from the tissues of their prey, which is 70% water. Our domestic cats have not lost this habit, and assimilate most of the water they need directly from their bowl.
The pâté hydrates your cat
So, if your cat eats exclusively cat food , there is no need to worry. This behavior is completely normal.
Since pâté is a food that is very rich in water - composed of 75% water on average - your mustachioed man largely meets his water needs through his diet.
The pâté is like a canned mouse, it provides it with all the hydration it needs. Fed with pâté, your cat then does not feel or no longer feels the need to drink water next to it.
On the other hand, if your cat eats mainly kibble, its behavior should worry you. Since kibble is a dry food that contains only 10% water, it does not naturally and sufficiently hydrate it. And your little cat may suffer from dehydration in the short term.
My cat doesn't drink, what are the risks?
A urinary disorder
A cat that does not drink and that mainly eats kibble is at risk of chronic dehydration , which can cause concentrated urine and promote the appearance of urinary stones. The less hydrated a cat is, the more concentrated its urine is in minerals!
These urinary stones disrupt the flow of urine and in some cases cause cystitis , one of the subunits of feline lower urinary tract diseases (FLUTD), and very painful for affected cats.
Constipation
Another consequence of lack of hydration: constipation. When a cat does not drink enough, the contents of its digestive tract will tend to dry out, particularly at the rectal level, which will cause episodes of constipation linked to stools that are too hard.
Here too, constipation is not to be taken lightly. A constipated cat suffers a lot; its stomach is tense and painful, it lets out plaintive meows when it tries to defecate… And when it lasts more than 48 hours, constipation can cause intestinal occlusion.
Great fatigue, lethargic state
Kitty sleeps a lot, he has no strength left, even to eat. In dehydrated cats , we often see a loss of appetite.
Dehydration also causes other symptoms: depression, panting, cessation of grooming, vomiting.
How do I know if my cat is dehydrated?
In addition to its symptoms, you can detect a lack of hydration in your cat by performing these two small tests:
- Gums . Gently lift your cat's upper lip to observe his gums. If they are dry and sticky, this means that your whiskered one is very dehydrated. Note that the gums dry out very quickly when exposed to air. Do this quick check.
- Skin elasticity. Hold your cat's skin firmly at shoulder level, gently lift it up and release it. If the skin springs back into place immediately, your cat is hydrated. On the other hand, if the skin retracts slowly, remains stretched, this means your feline is dehydrated.
At the slightest symptom and especially at the slightest doubt, consult your veterinarian quickly. Only a professional will be able to confirm or deny your cat's lack of hydration.
Why doesn't my cat drink much water?
Your cat eats wet food
As explained above, if your cat drinks little, it is because he finds the water he needs in his food. The delicious pâtés that you offer him fill his water needs. He is well hydrated and does not need to drink much on the side. However, make sure to always provide him with a glass or bowl of water.
Your cat is stressed
When the cat is stressed or anxious, its behavior may change; aggression, excessive licking, more frequent meowing, etc.
He may also exhibit eating disorders such as loss of appetite , anorexia or, conversely, bulimia - kitty rushes to his bowl and eats too quickly . And this rapid eating can sometimes lead to vomiting. A stressed cat may also drink less or stop drinking a single drop of water.
There are many sources of stress for cats: moving, transportation, visits to the vet, new furniture in the house, the arrival of a new animal or child in your home. It can also be your new haircut. Yes, the slightest thing can stress our little companions.
If your cat doesn't have any particular symptoms, try to find out what could have upset your cat so much. Is it your new couch? Is it the visit to the vet? With lots of cuddles, everything should be back to normal. Of course, if your cat refuses to drink, consult your vet so that he doesn't suffer from dehydration.
Your cuddles aren't relaxing your kitty? Don't hesitate to play a little more with him, use valerian or even put on some music. But be careful, not just any music! Our cats don't like rhythmic music like pop, rock or country. What they prefer is classical music, which is much softer on their ears. Note that there is music specially designed for cats. Here are 5 tips to help your mustachioed one de-stress.
He doesn't like the location of his water bowl
The cat is a bit of a manic animal . Everything must be in the right place, and this is particularly the case for its bowl, its food bowl or its water fountain. This should not be placed next to its bowl of kibble and/or its pâté.
In nature, cats never mix water and food. The place where they eat is always far from where they quench their thirst. The reason? If their food were to come into contact with water, it could contaminate it with bacteria. Some cats even prefer to drink from the tap , for fear of drinking contaminated water.
A cat that does not drink may simply be bothered because its water bowl is not far enough from its other bowl. Therefore, place its water point elsewhere, especially in a quiet place, away from any passage.
The location is important, but also the bowl itself. Our mustachioed ones do not appreciate plastic bowls. The smell of plastic, especially when it is new, can alter the taste of the water. Choose bowls made of stainless steel, glass, porcelain or earthenware.
Your cat may also not like the new water fountain you bought him. Although practical, the water fountain can scare him or put him off because his habits have changed. And as a true routine-obsessed cat, he doesn't like it at all!
The water is cloudy, even dirty
Another reason: the water in his bowl is not suitable for him, because it is cloudy, dirty or not fresh enough . Dust may have settled on the surface or hair. Remember to change his water several times a day, or at least twice a day, morning and evening if you have to go out during the day.
Also check the temperature of its water. Some mustaches do not appreciate lukewarm water.
If none of these reasons explain his behavior, then consult your veterinarian to find the source. Your cat may have an illness, one of the signs of which is low water consumption.
Some pathologies produce the opposite effect, excessive water consumption. Minou drinks more water than usual.
This is the case for kidney failure and diabetes in cats . In diabetic cats and cats with kidney failure, symptoms include increased thirst, drinking more water than usual, and producing more urine. For more information, please read our articles on kidney failure and diabetes in cats.
How can I help my cat drink more water?
Il existe plusieurs astuces pour inciter son chat à boire de l'eau. Vous pouvez multiplier les points d'eau chez vous, faire des jus aromatisés au jus de thon par exemple, etc. Mais le meilleur conseil que l'on puisse vous donner est de lui offrir une alimentation humide !
The pâté to hydrate your cat
The key to good hydration is diet!
At Ziggy, we advise you to offer him mainly wet food. Very rich in water, the pâté allows your cat to consume water, without him realizing it.
See the difference between a cat fed mainly kibble and a cat fed mainly pâté.
Composed of 75% water on average, the pâté not only hydrates your cat, but also prevents the risks of urinary disorders and constipation.
Other benefits for your little companion: it is filling and above all, it is less caloric than kibble. A cat that mainly consumes wet food is less likely to be overweight or obese , and therefore, to develop diabetes. In addition, pâté increases the activity level of our cats. We do not know if this is due to hydration or the frequency of urination, but several studies agree that cats who eat wet food have greater physical activity than those who eat dry food, namely kibble.
Pate is highly recommended for your cat, provided that it is healthy and balanced: rich in quality animal proteins, low in carbohydrates, low in fat (especially if your cat is sterilized) and also low in phosphorus to preserve its kidney health. We tell you more in our article on the best pate for your cat.
All our Ziggy pâtés are adapted to the nutritional needs of your mustachioed man. Formulated by Veterinarian Géraldine Blanchard, they contain real pieces of muscle and noble offal of great nutritional richness, they are low in carbohydrates (-2%) and phosphorus. Only love in trays 💛
Choosing the right pâtés for your cat
Not all pâtés are equal. To help you make the best choice for your cat, download our complete guide. We'll teach you how to decipher packaging and, above all, how to avoid the pitfalls to provide the best possible diet for your whiskered one.
Leave a comment