Just like humans, about two thirds of a cat’s body is made up of water. And like all animals, cats need a healthy amount of water to survive and to maintain their health. When living in the wild, they get some of their water from the moisture content in their food, such as prey like insects, birds, and rodents, and the rest from streams and other water sources. Your domestic cat has a very different diet, and while you may give them some wet food, most of their water is delivered in a bowl!

How much water should a cat drink?

The amount of water your cat needs depends on their size, activity level, health and diet, but ranges from 40-70 ml per kilogram of bodyweight per day. If you think your cat is not drinking enough water, there are a few ways to encourage them to drink.

Location is essential. Put a few water bowls around the house in areas with low foot traffic. Ideally, you should have one more water bowl than you have cats. Water bowls should also not be placed anywhere near the litter box. This could make your cat uncomfortable and cause them to stop eating, drinking, and using the litter box. After all, we wouldn’t want to be forced to have all our liquid refreshment in the toilet! They may not even like having the food and water bowls near each other. This is because cats in the wild have evolved to not drink near their food in case the water is soiled by the carcass of the prey.

Some cats are really particular about drinking water. Your cat may like cold water better, so drop a couple ice cubes in the bowl. If there is a tendency to tip it over, switch to a wider one with a rubber base. They may not like the taste of the water, so if using a plastic bowl, try switching to a metal, ceramic or glass bowl. You should also replace your cat’s water regularly to keep it fresh.

Some cats won’t use a bowl at all, and would rather drink straight from your tap. In the wild, cats will usually only drink moving water, as they have learned that this helps prevent them from getting sick. If you see your cat continually tipping over the water bowl and drinking the water as it spills across the floor, they’re probably more comfortable drinking moving water. Consider cat water fountains that constantly circulate the water. 

You can also add more moisture to your cat’s diet. Wet food has a much higher moisture content than dry, but if dry food is preferred, you can try adding a little water to the kibbles. Some cats don’t like the texture of soaked kibbles, but if your cat does, then it’s an easy way to increase their water intake. A combination of dry food and wet food is also an option and is a good way of keeping your cat’s tastes flexible and stopping them getting hooked on wet or dry.

Whichever method you choose, it is important to encourage your cat to drink water. While many may think milk is a good substitute, it is only a myth, and can even cause digestive problems. Getting your cat to drink water is just as important as feeding the right nutrition.