A healthy cat drinks up to 300ml of fresh water daily. This can increase if you only feed your cat dried food – food in cans or pouches contain 80% water. The amount of water drunk is also dependant on the size of your cat. And the time of year. Is your cat drinking a lot of water? See probable reasons and warning signs here…
If you’re unable to measure your cat’s water intake you can look for the three main indicators that your cat is drinking more than normal. These are:
As long as your cat is happy and healthy excessive drinking could just be a sign of environmental changes like the weather, or simply a warm house.
Cat dehydration is relatively simple to spot as there are certain signs including:
Cats need fresh water every day. You can also try to increase the amount of water drunk by:
There are three basic reasons for your cat drinking a lot of water suddenly. These are known as:
Compensatory – this could be due to extremely hot weather causing excess thirst. Or a change in diet from wet to dry food which makes your cat thirstier. If your cat has been vomiting and had diarrhoea excess water loss will be compensated for by normally functioning kidneys. And your cat will drink more.
Pathological – these conditions cause ongoing excess water loss and make your cat drink more. They include:
Behavioural – when you notice your old cat drinking a lot of water this can be related to hyperthyroidism and can cause increased thirst
There are other signs that will indicate that your cat is unwell. They Include:
You’ll need to make an appointment with your vet for a thorough check-up and assessment of the symptoms.
Early detection and swift treatment will greatly improve recovery. Your vet will need to run blood and urine tests to evaluate kidney function. And to check for diabetes, hyperthyroidism and liver disease. You can eliminate infections and anaemia by a complete blood count. Radiographs and ultrasounds will also be conducted.
Diabetes is a life-threatening disease and treatment needs to start immediately. Maintenance therapy is usually daily insulin injections alongside a high protein and low carb diet.
Kidney disease may include surgery to remove the failing kidney, a transplant, or medication to slow the progression of the disease, if untreatable.
If liver disease is the cause your cat will have probably have to go to the animal hospital for medication of electrolytes, vitamins, and thiamine. There, they can treat the disease accordingly.
The vet will administer intravenous fluids to treat dehydration and they my also prescribe diuretics to reduce any calcium levels in the urine. If the vet diagnoses hyperthyroidism, your pet may need to have radiotherapy or surgery. But this does have potential risk and side-effects.
When putting a cat to sleep is a final option you need to get in touch with dedicated at-home end-of-life vets. You’ll get all the advice and support you need at this traumatic time. And you’ll get peace of mind knowing that your has no more unnecessary suffering. Gentle at-home euthanasia will provide a peaceful end for your feline friend.