how much water cat drink daily

Typically, cats need between 3.5–4.5 ounces (about ½ a cup) of water per 5 pounds of body weight per day. If you have a 10-pound cat, they should be consuming between 7–9 ounces (about 1 cup) of water. The key word here is “consume” since cats don’t need to get their water just by drinking.

How Is the Water to Drink per Day Calculated?

To determine how much more water your cat should be drinking on a daily basis, the amount of water they get from their food is deducted. Compared to those on an a%20100%%dry diet, cats on a%20100%%wet diet must drink a lot less water because wet food contains roughly 2010 times more water than dry food.

How Do I Find the Moisture Content (%) Of the Food?

As stated on the packaging or the company website, the food’s moisture content (amount of water) should be found as a percentage under the Guaranteed analysis or Analytical Constituents section. Enter 8 for dry cat food and 80 for wet cat food if you are unable to determine the moisture content. As an alternative, you can get in touch with the food manufacturer and request that they provide you the details.

Water is just one of many things that cats are picky about. Drinking enough water is especially beneficial for male cats as it helps prevent urinary tract disease. Elderly cats are more likely to become dehydrated because they are less likely to drink water. Additionally, it’s likely that they have underlying medical conditions that call for higher fluid intake. In order to help prevent illness, you should encourage your cat to drink enough water throughout the year, but especially during the summer.

However, we must consider your cat’s diet when calculating the amount of drinking water needed under normal circumstances. Food that is wet or canned typically contains about 80% water, whereas food that is dry contains roughly 2010%. A 4 kg cat eating only canned food might only need to drink about 30 milliliters of water a day, but the same cat eating only dry food would require more than 200 milliliters of water.

A cat’s natural need for water increases as the weather gets warmer. But cats are very good at hiding symptoms of illness, and frequently the only behavioral changes that occur are minor ones (such as increased drinking) that are early indicators of serious diseases. Because of this, it may be challenging to determine whether your cat’s increased drinking is seasonal or a sign of an underlying issue (eg diabetes).

A urine sample from your cat can also reveal a lot of information, such as the concentration of the urine sample and the presence of blood, protein, glucose, and other substances. It is possible that you will be asked to gather a sample from your home, which is a difficult but doable task if your cat uses a litter tray.

A comprehensive examination by your veterinarian is strongly advised if you think your cat is drinking more water than usual or are unsure, as the earlier a disease is detected, the better the prognosis. In order to identify the cause of the polydipsia, your veterinarian will probably also suggest certain pathology tests that call for a blood or urine sample (increased drinking)

FAQ

How much water should a cat drink in 24 hours?

How much water should my cat drink? A cat should drink on average 60mls/kg per day of water. That means a 4kg cat should be drinking approximately 240mls a day (about one cup) to ensure their body functions properly.

How do I know if my cat is drinking enough water?

Tip: One possible test to see if your cat is hydrated is called the scruff test. Gently pinch your cat’s skin between the shoulder blades and lift it. If the skin returns to its’ normal state instantly, your cat is likely appropriately hydrated. However, if the skin remains to stand, your kitty needs more water.

Do cats need to drink water if they eat wet food?

Wet Food Keeps Cats Hydrated Instead, they have two options: wet food, or dry kibble. Unlike dry cat food, wet food has enough water in it to provide your cat with much of the hydration they need. You can then use a running source of water (like a pet fountain) to provide the rest of the hydration that they need.

How many bowls of water does a cat drink a day?

Typically, cats drink from their water bowl 2-4 times per day. However, cats who only eat wet food may not be seen drinking very often.