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The typical cat should drink between 7-9 ounces of water each day, but keeping your kitty well-hydrated can be tricky. After all, it’s not like they’re tracking their H2O intake with fancy graduated water bottles.
Here are some simple ways to encourage your cat to drink more water.
Give her options
The Spruce Pets / Sara Luckey
Some cats may like to bark from a bowl, while others enjoy a rippling fountain. Try several different types of dispensers placed around the home and see what your kitty returns to.
For extra fussy cats, put away bowls made of different materials. Some cats may find that glass bowls are better than plastic ones.
Keep it fresh and clean
If a glass of water sits outside for days, you won’t want to drink it. Your cat is no different; she probably turned her nose up at her water bowl because it was dirty and stale.
Clean her bowl regularly – maybe even every day – and make sure she always has freshly poured water.
Try different types of water
No, we’re not talking about bubbly versus still—but what’s in the water.
Fluoride is added to tap water to prevent cavities and dental disease, but your feline friend might think it’s gross. Try giving her non-fluoridated bottled water or using a water filter (filters won’t remove fluoride, but they might make your tap water taste better).
Experiment with different temperatures as well. Most cats prefer room temperature drinking water, but some may like their H2O nicely chilled.
Fill ‘Er Up!
Don’t stop at a half-full (or half-empty, if you see it that way) bowl. Cats may like the water to reach the edge for easier barking. (Though this might turn their drinking area into a splash zone, so keep a towel nearby.)
Always monitor how much your cat is drinking and talk to your vet if you notice any major changes, as these could be warning signs of something more serious, including kidney disease, hyperthyroidismor diabetes.
Try these tricks at home and talk to your vet if you want the cat is still showing signs of dehydration.
