Cats have - in contrast to people or, for example, dogs - no pronounced feeling of thirst, because in the wild they largely “automatically” supply themselves with fluids via the blood of their prey. However, canned food or meat from the butcher does not contain any blood - dry food does not even contain moisture.
If cats feel "thirst" and beg at the tap, for example, then they are usually too dehydrated! In the long term, lack of water can cause diseases of the urinary tract and kidneys such as urinary grit, urinary stones or chronic renal insufficiency (CKD). It is therefore very important to encourage cats to drink, especially in summer! Here are ten tips on how to get cats to drink enough:
- Give several small wet food meals throughout the day (3-5), enriching the food with an additional two to three tablespoons of water. (You can even increase it over time)
- Set up a cat drinking fountain – running water automatically encourages cats to drink more.
- "Flavor" the drinking water with a little chicken stock (salt-free), tuna water or a teaspoon of low-fat milk.
- Add an ice cube to the food or water. You can also make a gigantic ice cube yourself by freezing a balloon filled with water and offering this giant ball in the summer - but it also works very well with normal ice cubes. Cats love to lick ice cubes persistently and absorb a lot of water.
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Generally avoid dry food if possible, but at least moisten it with a spray bottle beforehand.
Dry food actually removes additional water from the cat's body, which is needed for digestion. Avoid treats in the form of dry food - you are not doing your cat any favors, even if they like to eat dry food that is often enriched with acceptance enhancers.
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Distribute several drinking options throughout the apartment.
- Change the water several times a day so that it is always nice and fresh.
- Cats are very reluctant to drink where they eat, so always place water as far away from food as possible.
Of course, this also applies to the litter box!
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Do not give chlorinated tap water - in cities with chlorinated water it is better to use still water from a discount store or
Use rainwater or let the tap water stand for two hours so that the chlorine breaks down in the air. Ask your municipal utility whether chlorine is added to the water. Cats are much more sensitive than humans.
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Always leave a tap running so that cats can drink around the clock (Caution!! - more expensive than you think - water costs can quickly add up to a few hundred euros) - then it's better to offer a cat drinking fountain (see point 2.)
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