Drinking behavior in cats: What is normal – and when is caution required?

Cats naturally tend to drink very little – in many cases, this is completely normal for healthy animals. Nevertheless, it is worth observing drinking behavior closely: because both noticeably little and excessively much drinking can be an indication of health problems.

Why cats generally drink little

Cats originally descend from desert animals. Their bodies are designed to absorb a large part of their fluids through food – especially via prey or wet food. Dry food, on the other hand, contains hardly any moisture, which requires an increased fluid intake through drinking.

When is the drinking behavior an alarm signal?

A sudden increase or a significant decrease in the amount of drinking can indicate health-related causes. You can find more info about the amount of drinking in the guide article. In case of uncertainty, a clarification by a veterinarian is recommended in any case.

Tips on how to get cats to drink more

Especially with exclusive dry feeding or for animals with health risks, it makes sense to specifically promote drinking behavior. Since cats have very individual preferences, it is worth trying out different options.

A central point: Water should not be placed directly next to the feeding place. Many cats avoid water sources in the immediate vicinity of the bowl. Instead, it is recommended to distribute several water stations throughout the household, ideally in quiet, easily accessible places.

The type and quality of water also plays a role. While some cats prefer clear, fresh water, others show interest in stale or even rainwater. The following variants can be tried out:

• Standing water, for example in open bowls
• Moving water from a fountain - new in our range: cordless fountain
• Freshly filled water or deliberately stale water
• Clean rainwater (unchlorinated)

Not only the water source, but also the vessel material can be decisive. Many cats prefer bowls made of Ceramic, glass or Stainless steel, while plastic is often avoided.

Even more practical tips are offered by this guide article.