Cat Hydration
This page is educational reference material for preparing questions. A licensed veterinarian examines the animal, makes the diagnosis, and sets the treatment.
Cats are prone to dehydration. Water fountain benefits, wet food hydration, and creative ways to increase your cats water intake.
Key Information
Practical Recommendations
Expert Tips
- Consider your cat's individual activity on any given day — rest days may warrant slightly smaller portions than heavy exercise days.
- If your cat suddenly refuses food they normally enjoy, treat it as a potential health signal worth investigating.
Understanding the Research
Budgeting for Pet Care
Related Guides
Explore more of our comprehensive pet care resources.
- All Pet Care Guides
- Dog Health Resources
- Cat Health Resources
- Pet Care Tools & Calculators
- Find Local Vets & Pet Services
Quick Answers
Where can I learn more?
Thirst is a sign, and International Renal Interest Society staging is the reference once bloodwork and urine show chronic kidney disease. Cornell Feline Health Center pages on diabetes and hyperthyroidism cover the other common reasons a cat empties the bowl. Adding a second bowl does not assign the stage.
How often should I take my pet to the vet?
A cat who starts drinking more should have bloodwork and a urinalysis moved up. Healthy adult cats otherwise go a year between exams. Kidney disease, diabetes, and hyperthyroidism are why cats from about 10 years old are often examined every six months. Kittens are seen every 3 to 4 weeks until about 16 weeks, and a kitten who suddenly drinks a lot should not wait for the next of those visits. A cat who stops drinking, or who vomits every drink, should be seen the same day. Another water bowl does not answer which disease is driving the thirst.
How can I save money on pet care?
A second water bowl is cheap and reasonable. Bloodwork for a cat who is suddenly thirsty is the test you should not postpone to save the fee. Kidney disease, diabetes, and hyperthyroidism cost more when they are advanced. A fountain is for a cat who drinks too little. A cat in polyuria needs bloodwork.
A cat eating only dry food gets most of its water from the bowl. Wet food raises water intake, which matters for cats that form urinary crystals and for cats with early kidney disease. Measure the bowl if the cat seems thirstier. Extra drinking for more than a day or two needs a urine sample and bloodwork, because diabetes, kidney disease, and hyperthyroidism all start this way.