Kitty Post August 2026

Is Your Cat Drinking Enough Water?

After euthanizing more than 200 cats over five years, feline internal medicine specialist Dr. Madison Cole shared an important message: dehydration is one of the biggest health risks facing our cats.

Kidney disease is the leading cause of death in cats over seven years of age. About one in three cats will develop kidney disease during their lifetime, and the risk increases dramatically as they age. Sadly, most owners don't realize there's a problem until significant kidney damage has already occurred. Once that damage happens, it can't be reversed—only managed.

Why don't cats drink enough?

Cats are naturally prone to dehydration for several reasons:

They evolved as desert animals. Wild cats obtained most of their water from prey, so today's cats have a naturally low thirst drive and often don't drink enough, even when fresh water is available.

They hide illness. Cats instinctively mask discomfort and disease, making dehydration and early kidney disease difficult to detect.

They can be picky about water. Some cats dislike the taste or smell of certain water sources or refuse to drink from bowls or fountains that aren't kept scrupulously clean.

What can you do?

The best way to support your cat's kidney health is to encourage hydration:

Provide fresh, clean water every day.

Wash water bowls and fountains frequently. (Some cats prefer ceramic, stainless steel, or glass bowls over plastic.)

Offer water in several locations around your home, especially if yours is a multi-cat household.

Keep water away from litter boxes and, for many cats, away from food bowls.

Provide moisture-rich canned or wet food (which is about 75–80% water).

If your cat eats dry food, consider replacing some meals with wet food or adding a small amount of water or low-sodium, onion- and garlic-free broth to the kibble.

Schedule regular veterinary checkups, especially once your cat reaches seven years of age.

Many cats are attracted to moving water. Pet fountains can encourage increased drinking but only if the fountain is cleaned regularly and the filters are changed as recommended.

Recognize Early Signs of Dehydration: Watch for dry or tacky gums, sunken eyes, lethargy, loss of appetite, panting (rare but concerning in cats), and decreased skin elasticity (although this is less reliable in older or overweight cats).

Keep Cats Cool: During hot weather, ensure access to shade and air conditioning or fans when possible. Avoid strenuous play during the hottest parts of the day. Never leave a cat in a parked vehicle.

Monitor Cats at Higher Risk: Some cats are more prone to dehydration. This includes kittens and senior cats, nursing queens, and cats with chronic kidney disease, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, vomiting and/or diarrhea. These cats may need closer monitoring and, in some cases, veterinary recommendations for supplemental fluids.

Know When to See a Veterinarian: Seek veterinary care promptly if your cat:

Has repeated vomiting or diarrhea.

Refuses food or water for more than about 24 hours.

Appears weak, collapses, or is unusually lethargic.

Has signs of dehydration that don't improve with drinking.

Has a chronic illness and seems less hydrated than usual.

Cats can become dehydrated surprisingly quickly, especially when they are ill. Severe dehydration often requires treatment with intravenous or subcutaneous fluids administered by a veterinarian.

For healthy adult cats, the general daily water requirement (from food and drinking combined) is approximately 40–60 mL per kilogram of body weight. Cats eating mostly canned food obtain much of this water from their diet, while cats eating only dry food need to drink substantially more water to meet their needs. Monitoring your cat's normal drinking, appetite, urination, and activity is one of the best ways to detect problems early.

A little extra attention to your cat's water intake today could help protect their kidneys and improve their quality of life for years to come.