Cats can’t relate to us drinking, but it’s not normal for them not to drink at all and there are several causes that can explain this behavior. So, to find out what is the cause of this problem, here is everything you need to know about a cat that does not drink and above all, how to react to it.
Cat that does not drink: Make sure he really does not drink
This applies especially to outdoor cats who will hunt many prey such as birds or mice, which are 80% water and which will then hydrate your cat. Ditto if he eats a lot of cat food, also containing 80% humidity and which allows him to hydrate properly.
The causes and their solutions
Here are the main causes of this problem, with for each what you need to put in place so that your cat can drink normally again.
Dental pain
Dental pain hurts felines as it does us, and your cat won’t want to drink because of the pain. It is therefore vital to help him as much as possible. If your cat is not eating, drinking or salivating or has abnormal gums, he probably has a dental problem.
- Give him lukewarm water: Start by giving him lukewarm water, which will be less aggressive, and put tuna oil in the water to whet his appetite and encourage him to drink enough. Also offer him hot, crushed cat food, so that he can easily hydrate himself with food if he is reluctant to drink pure water.
- Low-sodium chicken or beef broth may also encourage him to drink less. Be careful that there is little sodium, because salt is bad for your cat.
- Another solution to help reduce the pain directly is to mix apple drops in your cat’s water bowl and half a teaspoon in their food to help reduce the pain. Obviously, if the problem persists for more than 48 hours, the veterinarian is essential.
He thinks the water is dangerous
In the wild, standing water is potentially harmful and cats still retain their natural instincts. It is therefore vital to always ensure that the water always seems attractive to them. For this, a cat water fountain allows them to have water that circulates and is healthy in their eyes.
His environment does not suit him
If the water bowl is placed near his litter or household products, it is normal that he does not want it because his personal environment will not suit him if:
- It is fragrant: Cats hate bad smells and run away from them. It can be litter, household products or the smell of cigarettes.
- He is dirty: Uncleaned litter or bowl can be disgusting to him. Weekly cleaning is highly recommended for the bowl and the litter box. For water, a daily change is essential.
- He is noisy: The cat must always have his natural needs for calm, because in the natural state, he is vulnerable in his situations and this is dangerous for him. Even if this is not the case with you, his animal instinct does not disappear.
- Its bowl is made of plastic: Plastic bothers some cats and you will sometimes have to change it.
He doesn’t like water
This case is a little more complicated but some solutions will allow him to have enough water:
- Increase his wet food: Wet food will allow him to absorb enough water. Cat food is a good start if he only eats kibble and you can even add a little water as long as it is not too visible and does not change the texture of this food.
- Give him mineral water: Sometimes cats don’t like tap water, but since mineral water is completely natural, they will appreciate it. In fact, they can sometimes perceive the added products in the water and will then reject the tap water.
- Mix the water: With tuna oil or even chicken juice to make it good for him. The goal here is to make something he basically doesn’t want into something he will have a hard time refusing as he likes the smell and taste.
How do you know if he is dehydrated?
Sometimes it is difficult to know if your cat lacks water or not, but certain signs are not wrong:
- He urinates and meows: Because the lack of water can make it difficult and painful to urinate. It’s exactly the same for us when we don’t drink enough water. Meowing when he urinates is an indicator of his suffering.
- He urinates out of the litter: If the urine is very dark, he is dehydrated, he may not be controlling his urine enough.
- He can’t urinate: This is also a possible consequence, which can lead him to urinate blood if the problem persists.
- His skin loses its elasticity: You can check this by pulling it, it should not return to normal quickly if your cat is dehydrated.
Is it dangerous for his health?
Not drinking is very harmful for the cat because its urine will become much more concentrated and will end up causing urinary stones which can have serious consequences for its health.
Water is as vital for him as it is for us and a cat that does not drink should always worry you and encourage you to put in place the right solutions.
A cat should drink between 20 and 50 ml per kilogram per day, which varies according to temperature and diet. But it does provide a good basis for you to make sure he drinks enough.
My cat does not drink: The final word
If your cat no longer wants to drink, the first thing is to find the cause and then implement the right solutions. But if nothing helps, the veterinary box will be essential.