Why Does My Cat Refuse to Drink Water?

Cats, like all other animals, require water to survive. Water consumption by cats indicates that something is upsetting them, which could be anything from a significant disease to something as simple as unhappiness with the cleanliness of their water bowl. It’s critical to identify the source of the problem to be addressed effectively and efficiently.

It’s significant to remember that cats are incredibly picky creatures. It is possible that altering their food or feeding patterns will lead them to refuse food and drink for a brief time. When faced with a stressful setting, such as the presence of visitors in your house, cats may also go on brief hunger strikes to express their distress. Don’t be concerned if this is the case. Your four-legged companion will be back to grazing in no time.

It is critical to address any changes in water consumption patterns in cats as soon as possible because they are so essential to their general health. Owners may be able to resolve their pet’s aversion to the water bowl at home, depending on the underlying cause of the problem. A cat should be checked out by a veterinarian if they go more than two days without drinking water or if their reduced water consumption is accompanied by any other strange symptoms or behaviors that should be investigated.

What is the Refusing to Drink?

For cats to survive long and healthy lives, they require food, water, and human companionship. Though cats are said to despise water, they need to consume it to be healthy. If your cat is refusing to drink, this can result in potentially life-threatening illnesses. The cat may suffer from dehydration, characterized by an imbalance of water and electrolytes in the body. This might result in health problems for your kitty. There are a variety of reasons why your cat may be reluctant to drink water. Some of them are as follows:

  • A scarcity of readily available water
  • Severe bleeding, shock, or fever
  • Heat exhaustion
  • Dietary habits and way of life

Cats are pretty similar to humans in that they require a lot of water in order to survive and thrive. They are mainly composed of water, just like people are, and failing to drink enough can result in catastrophic consequences. Suppose your cat’s water intake has suddenly decreased. In that case, it might be a good idea to take them to the veterinarian for a checkup and to ensure that there isn’t a more serious issue underlying the decrease.

—–> #1  Pet Insurance for Cats  (up to 90% Reimbursements) <—–

Why Cats Refuse to Drink and What Causes It?

There can be various reasons for your cat’s refusal to drink. Some are as simple as stubbornness, while others are more complicated, such as heat stroke. Providing your kitty with an adequate amount of water is critical, as water is required for all of their biological systems to function correctly. Some of the likely causes are as follows:

  1. A Scarcity of Readily Available Water

Your cat may be refusing to drink water simply because they are particular about the type of water available to them at the time. Some cats like mineral-infused water, while others are content with plain tap water and vice versa. Even the sort of bowl that your cat uses might impact the amount of water that they consume. In some cases, whether or not your cat likes to drink from the bowl might be determined by the size of the bowl. Some felines may refuse to drink from a bowl if their whiskers contact the sides of the bowl because the bowl is too tiny. Some cats favor stainless steel bowls over ceramic bowls, and some prefer ceramic bowls over stainless steel bowls.

  1. Blood Loss, Fever, or Shock

A cat’s blood loss can be internal or external. Internal blood loss can occur due to trauma, poisoning, blood coagulation abnormalities, hookworm, and other internal parasites, to name a few possibilities. The presence of external blood loss may indicate the presence of bites, fractures, bleeding after delivering kittens, nosebleeds, or injuries and wounds from various accidents or traumas to the body.

Your cat may be unable to drink if he or she is experiencing shock or fever due to an imbalance in the nutrients and oxygen concentration present in the body; shock results from a lack of blood flow. One the following symptoms may be present: a weak and rapid pulse, mucous membranes and pale skin, unawareness of one’s surroundings, trouble standing, dark pink or red gums that turn grey with time, quick and shallow breathing, slow capillary refill time, hypothermia, and panting. Shock can be pretty dangerous for your cat and necessitates the need for medical assistance.

Although monitoring your cat’s temperature is the only way to determine whether or not she has a fever, there are other indicators to look for. Some of the symptoms that might occur are a loss of appetite, depression, a lack of energy, a drop in drinking, rapid breathing and shivering, and a decrease in grooming. Each of the three health issues listed above can result in a reduction in your pet’s water intake.

  1. Heat Exhaustion

Heatstroke is highly deadly, and it is critical to recognize the signs and symptoms. Panting, collapsing, lethargy, vomiting, and high temperature are indications of this condition. It can also be caused by a decline in the availability of potable water. If you feel that the cat is suffering from heatstroke, you should take them to the veterinary doctor as soon as possible because it can be life-threatening.

  1. Dietary Habits and Diet

You should also think about how your pet will live his or her life. While out traveling with your outdoor cat, they may be able to find water from streams and ponds, resulting in their requiring less water from you at home. The amount of exercise they get will also have an impact. In the event that your cat exerts itself excessively, it may become dehydrated very quickly. The more active your feline companion is, the more water they will require, and they should naturally consume more or less water based on their demands as they grow older. If you feed your kitty wet food, they will not need to drink as much water as if they ate dry food.

What Amount of Water Should Cats Drink?

Cats typically require 3.5–4.5 ounces of water per 5 pounds of body weight each day, depending on their size. If you have got a 10-pound cat, they should be drinking between 7 and 9 ounces of water each day, which is about half the volume of a standard bottle of water. The essential word here is “consuming,” cats do not require water to survive; they can obtain it by drinking.

Approximately 70–80 percent of the water is present in a can of wet food. As a result, if your cat is eating wet food, which is strongly suggested, he or she may consume between 3.85 and 4.4 ounces of water from a single can (an average of 5.5 ounces can). That’s about half of their daily water requirement right there.

Wet food can be quite advantageous for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the knowledge that a cat consuming wet food is at the very least getting some of the water they require daily. For the reason that if you have a cat at home all day, you may not notice them drinking, but there are ways to identify if they aren’t receiving enough water.

->> Natural Supplements Designed to help Cats live longer <<-

Dehydration Symptoms in a Cat

It can be complicated to determine whether or not your cat is genuinely dehydrated based on their water intake alone. To be sure, look for the following indicators.

  • Loose Skin: Dehydration can be detected at home using the “skin tent test,” one of the most effective methods available. If you gently “tent” (pull up) a tiny portion of your cat’s skin over its shoulders, it should soon return to its original place after the tension has been released. If your cat is dehydrated, the skin on his or her body will peel back more slowly. Nonetheless, it is not without flaws, as the amount of time your cat spends in the “skin tent” is strongly affected by the amount of fat and muscle under their skin in the location where you performed the test, as well as the overall quality of their skin.
  • Depression: Check to see if your cat appears to be particularly sleepy or a slacker. Is it less probable that they will meet you when you get home?
  • Loss of Appetite: When a cat refuses to eat, it is frequently a warning sign that something is wrong, even if it is not dehydrated in the first place. If your cat hasn’t eaten for more than 24 hours, it’s time to take him to the veterinarian.
  • Vomiting or diarrhea: While vomiting or diarrhea are not indicators of dehydration in and of itself, a cat that is vomiting or diarrhea may quickly become dehydrated.
  • Sunken Eyes: A dehydrated cat may appear gloomy or lethargic, with sunken eyes or eyes that appear “dull.” a cat with open eyes or eyes that appear “dull.”
  • Elevated Heart Rate: Enroll in a pet first aid course, or ask your veterinarian or clinic technician to demonstrate how to check and monitor your cat’s heart or pulse rate so you can determine whether it is higher or lower than average.
  • Panting: Cats do not often pant, but they may do so if they become hot, which may occur in conjunction with a case of dehydration.
  • Less Urination: Here’s still another reason why it’s important to sweep your cat’s litter box regularly: So that you can keep track of any changes in urine (and excretion). Additionally, keep in mind that a cat who isn’t peeing may not be able to do so, which can be a sign of an imminently fatal urethral obstruction.

Are Cats More Prone to Dehydration?

Cats who have been diagnosed with another ailment and senior cats are more susceptible to dehydration in general.

For example, suppose your cat suffers from cancer, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, or a renal condition. In that case, it is beneficial to consult with your veterinarian about keeping your cat’s hydration levels healthy and optimal.

What Is the Treatment for Dehydration?

Giving fluids under the skin to the cat is a simple technique that your veterinarian may execute in a short amount of time. In severe circumstances, your veterinarian may recommend that you admit your cat to the hospital and administer fluids to them through a syringe inserted directly into the cat’s vein. It is common for this procedure to rehydrate your cat within a few hours or days completely.

In addition, your veterinarian will determine the underlying cause of your cat’s dehydration and will assist you in nursing them back to health.

How to Support Your Cat to Drink More

You can use one or more of the following strategies to increase your cat’s water intake if you’re concerned about their water intake, even if they’re not showing indications of dehydration.

  • Find the Flavor: Improve the flavor of their water by adding a few drops of tuna or clam juice or a tiny amount of low sodium chicken broth (a plain chicken broth that does not contain onion or garlic).
  • Change it Up: Make the switch from dry to wet food as cats are accustomed to obtaining most of their dietary water from their food sources. To make the canned food more of a gruel consistency (as opposed to a soupy consistency), you can even add a little additional water to the can.
  • Chill Out: In their water bowl, place a few ice cubes to help them relax. Many cats are attracted by the sound and appearance of ice cubes bobbing in the water, and they will gladly swim around in it for a few laps.
  • Get it Moving: Few things in life urge cats to drink as much as running water does. Purchase a cat water fountain, especially one that has a little faucet that allows a cascade of water to flow from it.
  • More Bowls: Additional bowls (and cups, glasses, and mugs) are recommended if you have multiple cats because the fragrance of another cat will dissuade them from sharing the same water bowl. Generally, it is an excellent idea to have a variety of water sources for your cat that are dispersed throughout your home to satisfy a cat’s thirst for water exploration.
  • Scrub a Dub: Keeping your cat’s water bowl clean daily will help to eliminate any unpleasant scents as well as possibly hazardous microorganisms. Their bowls and glasses should be refilled with fresh water daily.
  • Change the Source: When your cat doesn’t seem to be enjoying your tap water — after all, cats are finicky — try filtering it or switching to bottled water.

Prevention of Refusing to Drink Water

If the weather is scorching, avoid letting your cat outside for extended periods to prevent dangerous accidents such as heat stroke. In no case should you leave your cat or any other pet in an unattended vehicle since the interior can soon become heated, and the high heat will cause your cat to suffer from heatstroke?

Even if you cannot get your cat to drink more water, you could consider feeding them wet food, which contains moisture and will increase their water intake. To determine why your cat isn’t drinking from their bowl, try trying with different types of water. Place bowls of several shapes, sizes, and materials throughout the house and see which ones are most frequently used to decide which ones your cat loves to eat from. Adding ice cubes or bath toys to your cat’s water dishes will sometimes pique their attention and encourage them to drink more.

You have to make sure that your cat has access to water at all times to keep him from being dehydrated. It is vital to watch your cat’s behavior and drinking habits since, even if something appears to be negligible, it could be an indication of something much more severe.

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on pinterest
Pinterest

About

Bringing your cat in for a vet visit can be a stressful experience for both you and your cat and that’s why we are committed to provide you with the answers …..

KEEP IN TOUCH

LATEST POSTS

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *