Dehydration is a common problem with felines. Many cats eat dry kibbles and drink limited amounts of water, possibly because they expel less energy than dogs who generally venture out in the sunshine for their daily walk. This might not seem like a grave concern to some, who might just assume that if a cat has access to water, he will simply drink what he needs. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, many cats either lack the motivation, accessibility or interest in drinking the full amount of water they need. This is gravely dangerous since under-hydrating can lead to a variety of illnesses including liver and kidney disease, amongst others. Here are some ways you can help encourage you cat to consume greater amounts of h2o on a daily basis.
Tips on Making Water More Appealing
Increase the options. Instead of having one bowl right next to the cat’s food, leave a water dispenser in a few different areas of the home. Try one next to the cat’s bed, or under a desk the cat likes to lounge near. Some cats are very private, preferring to eat and drink where they are less likely to be seen.
Add water to the food. Instead of giving your cat dry food products (which deplete hydration) feed your cat canned food instead. Then before serving it, add half a cup of water to the dish and stir it up nicely. Hopefully your feline will be so distracted by the delicious scent and flavor that he won’t mind the loosened consistency, as long as it doesn’t become too wet.
Spice that water up! Not with real spices, of course but with some fragrant flavors. Mix the water from a can of salmon or tuna into the water bowl. Or try feeding your cat filtered water if you live in an area where the water is hard, or smells strongly of distasteful minerals or chlorine. Help make the water as appealing in flavor as possible.
Change the water bowl. If the water bowl you are using is tin and noisy when bumped into, or it is light and shifts easily around, the cat might simply dislike the kind of bowl you are using. Observe if your bowl is particularly low and shallow, or high and tricky to reach, or if he is assigned to drinking out of the same bowl as another cat or dog in the house. Perhaps it is time to try out another kind of water dish. Similarly, if the water bowl is connected to the food dish, maybe a piece or two of the cat food has gotten in the water, making it taste strange or sour. Always try to keep the water fresh for your cat.
One great way to entice your cat to the water bowl, is to use running water. There are plug-in water fountains or mimic-faucets that cats can use that create constant motion, and a subtle sound to draw his attention and incite the cat’s thirst. If your kitty is struggling to find motivation to lap up liquid from a stagnant bowl, the running water option might suit him better. Remember plenty of wild cats drink from rushing rivers and streams without being remotely deterred by the movement or noise.
