The old saying, you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink, is true of cats also. We know it is impossible to make a cat do something he doesn’t want to do. Getting cats to drink enough water is a challenge – they do not have a strong natural thirst drive. They are designed to get their water needs met through their food. In the wild their prey contained 75 percent water. House cats, especially ones on dry food only, usually need a little encouragement to drink enough water.
Here are a few tips to encourage your cat to drink more water:
- Provide Fresh Water – Refill your cat’s bowl with fresh water at least once a day. The bowl should be washed daily with a mild soap. Make sure it is rinsed thoroughly because any residue can burn your cat’s tongue. It also will give the water an unpleasant taste.
- Select a Cat-Friendly Bowl – Choose a bowl that is wide and shallow to allow for their sensitive whiskers. Also consider having a variety of water sources for your cats.
- Place in Convenient Locations – Placing water bowls or water sources in a number of locations make it more convenient for your cat.
- Make it Fun – Many kittens are obsessed with moving water – usually more interested in watching it than in drinking it. If your cat likes running water consider a fountain. In hot weather you can put ice cubes in their bowl. It is fun for them and fun for us to watch as they “capture the cubes”.