How Much Water Should Your Cat Drink?

Cats need fresh drinking water everyday and the amount varies by each cat and what they eat. Cats also seem to prefer running water to stagnant water which is why they like to drink out of your faucet. Water is imperative for your cats good health, it helps flush out toxins from the blood and also helps keep their other organs hydrated. Dehydration in a cat is extremely serious and can kill them.

Cats that eat dry food require more water than those that eat canned food. Canned food contains about 78% water, dry food only 10%. Cats in kidney failure require more fluids, but often times have to get them intravenously or subcutaneous. Cats body tissue consists of 67% water which is the same as the prey they catch in the wild.

Knowing how much your cat drinks normally is very important. Though when its hot out cats will naturally drink more water with no concern, if they seem to drink excessively then there is cause to worry.

Keep fresh water available for your cat at all times. An automatic water dispenser is recommended. To check your cat for dehydration, pull of the skin at the nape of the neck and see if it springs back. If it does it slowly then your cat is dehydrated. If you cat is showing any other signs of illness then should get it to the vet. If not, then you should help to increase its water consumption by either adding water to its food or ice cubes to its drinking water for more fun.