We always think about giving our cats and kittens food, however there is a surprising lack of awareness when it comes to a cat’s hydration and giving your cat or kitten water.
Keeping your cat or kitten hydrated with water is really important, so always have a water bowl with fresh and regularly changed water available. I often have a water bowl in the kitchen and water glass upstairs for my cats available, so they can take their pick!
A recent survey found that 1 in 10 cats drink toilet and bath water to keep them hydrated because they can’t access water anywhere else. It isn’t advisable to let cats drink from the toilet or bath as they may have harmful bacteria for cats present.
A quarter of cat owners gave cow’s milk regularly to their cats to drink, mistakenly believing that it is good for them. Giving cows milk to cats can lead to obesity and cause stomach problems such as severe cramps and diarrhoea.
Even losing 10% of the body’s water in cats and kittens can have serious consequences for a cat. Hotter weather, exercise and periods of illness can all contribute to water loss and dehydration in cats. Dehydration can potentially result in serious health issues for cats and kittens including urinary tract infections and kidney disease. The average recommended water intake for a cat per day is 315 ml / 10.5 fl.oz.
Symptoms of dehydration in your cat are:
- lethargy
- sunken eyes
- loss of appetite
- depression
- dry and sticky gums
If your cat or kitten displays any of these signs, please take your cat to a vet as soon as possible.
It is therefore vital to ensure that cats have access to clean, fresh water at all times and that owners should make sure that they are drinking enough to keep them healthy and hydrated.