Hydration for cats who refuse to drink like normal animals
Your cat ignores the water bowl but drinks from your glass. Here's what's going on and some easy tricks.
The cat has a full, clean water bowl. The cat is drinking from your glass. This is not a coincidence. This is a lifestyle.
Why cats can be lazy drinkers
Cats are thought to come from desert-dwelling ancestors who got much of their water from their food. Many cats still have a low thirst drive, so it helps to make water easy and appealing.
Little tricks that often help
- Move the water away from the food. Many cats prefer to drink somewhere other than where they eat.
- Use a wide, shallow bowl. Some cats dislike their whiskers touching the sides.
- Offer several water spots, especially in bigger homes or multi-cat homes.
- Keep it fresh. Refill daily and wash the bowl often. A cat can spot stale water from across the flat.
- Try moving water. Some cats love a fountain or a dripping tap. Others find fountains suspicious. Science is not settled; the cat is.
- Wet food adds water too. Ask your vet whether it suits your cat's diet.
When to call the vet
If your cat suddenly starts drinking a lot more than usual, peeing much more, or stops drinking, see a vet. Changes in thirst can be an early sign of problems such as kidney disease or diabetes, which are much easier to manage when caught early.
Cat chaos notes are general info, not veterinary advice.
