How to Encourage Your Cat to Drink More Water and Stay Healthy
Whether a cat drinks water or not often depends on its mood. However, cats with kidney or bladder diseases might need water intake constantly, as these conditions can appear at any time.
Cats' ancestors come from desert environments, where their sensitivity to thirst was very low. Because of this, cats typically dislike drinking water and even less so will they drink extra water voluntarily.
Moreover, modern cats mainly eat dry food, which often leads to insufficient water consumption. This can cause urinary tract and kidney problems.
If your beloved cat becomes ill due to drinking too little water, recovery can be very difficult. Today, let us show you how to encourage your cat to drink more water and stay away from illnesses.
Feeding Cats with High-Moisture Food
Cat owners can feed their pets food with high water content. The best approach is to increase the moisture level in their diet. Therefore, offering dehydrated food or raw meat-based food is a great way to ensure your cat stays well-hydrated.
1. Why Dehydrated Cat Food is Trending This Year
This year, feeding cats with dehydrated food has become very popular. The idea is simple: by adding some water when serving the dehydrated food, it instantly rehydrates to its natural ingredients. This method effectively increases the cat's water intake right from the source.
As cats absorb a large amount of moisture from these natural ingredients, they find the food tastes better. Naturally, they enjoy their meals more and are happier while eating!
2. Understanding Cats' Preference for Raw Meat
Cats naturally have an instinct to eat meat. Compared to dry food, raw meat contains more moisture, which supports their carnivorous nature. Feeding cats raw meat encourages them to drink more water while also honoring their natural instincts. This allows cats to enjoy the delicious texture and flavor that raw meat provides. Additionally, for picky eaters, raw meat can better stimulate their appetite, offering a more enticing way to enjoy their meals.
3. Feeding Your Cat: Tips on Wet and Dry Food
Besides dehydrated and raw meat food, occasionally adding canned food to your cat's diet can effectively help them stay hydrated. Canned food is divided into two types: main meals and supplementary meals. The biggest difference is that main meal cans contain a higher meat content, providing more balanced nutrition. These are suitable as your cat's daily food.
On the other hand, supplementary meal cans serve more as an additional treat alongside dry food. Distinguishing between these two is very important. Pet owners must not feed supplementary meal cans as regular food, as this can lead to obesity and nutritional imbalance in cats!
How to Improve Your Cat's Hydration
Besides improving your cat's diet, it is also crucial to create more opportunities for your feline ruler to drink more water.
Proper hydration is essential for your cat's health. Cats can be finicky about drinking water, so alongside providing nutritious food, encouraging regular water intake helps maintain their kidney function and overall well-being.
Consider placing several water bowls around the home, or using fountains that entice cats to drink. Experiment with different water types such as filtered or flowing water to find what your cat prefers.
By focusing both on diet and hydration opportunities, you can help your beloved pet stay healthy and happy.
1. Encouraging Cats to Drink More Water
Cats naturally tend to drink little water. They often only take a sip or two when they feel very thirsty, and rarely drink proactively. To encourage your cat to stay hydrated, place multiple water bowls around the house in areas your cat frequently passes by and feels safe and calm.
By providing several water sources in quiet and secure spots, your cat is more likely to drink water regularly, supporting better health and hydration.
2. Clean Drinking Water for Cats
Cats are more sensitive to water quality than humans. If the water is even slightly stale, your feline ruler certainly won't drink it. It's best for owners to place the water bowl in a clean area and change the water twice a day. This ensures that your cat always has access to fresh, clean water to drink.
3. Understanding Portable Water Fountains for Cats
There are portable water fountains available on the market that can create water flows with varying heights. The movement of the water produces sounds, which are more likely to attract a cat's attention and interest.
4. Enhancing Your Cat's Drinking Experience
Cats are naturally curious creatures, and you can engage their interest by changing their water containers occasionally. Instead of always using the same water bowl, try switching to different styles and shapes to keep your cat intrigued.
This simple change can stimulate your cat's curiosity and encourage them to drink more water, which is beneficial for their health. You might experiment with cups, bowls, or other safe containers to find what your cat prefers.
Remember to keep all containers clean and ensure the water is fresh to promote good hydration habits.
Monitor Your Cat's Health with Cat Litter Testing
If you want to know whether your cat's body is suffering from bladder or urinary tract issues caused by dehydration, you can easily test it using special cat litter designed for health detection.
With just one simple test, you can quickly understand the condition of your beloved feline. If there are any issues, you can promptly take your cat to the vet for care.
This method allows you to monitor your cat's health anytime and anywhere, ensuring your royal companion's well-being is always protected.
Benefits of Increasing Water Intake for Cats
In summary, cats can increase their water intake by eating foods that are high in moisture content. This helps them urinate more frequently, which is beneficial for their health. Alternatively, cat owners can proactively create more opportunities for their beloved pets to drink water. Encouraging increased water consumption supports metabolism and reduces the chances of urinary tract diseases and kidney problems. If a cat at home is not drinking enough water, it is essential to find ways to encourage them to drink more.
