Is My Cat Drinking Too Much Water in Altadena, CA?

Have you noticed your cat drinking more water than usual? Do you worry about how much water they’re drinking every day?

Excessive, frequent water drinking isn’t common in cats, so it’s important to monitor how much your cat drinks daily. Read through the information below to find out more about potential concerns related to your cat’s water intake and when to see a veterinarian as well.

Normal Cat Drinking Behaviors

Wet Food May Cause Your Cat to Drink Less Water

Cats who eat wet food are not as likely to drink water frequently as those who do not. Cats get a lot of their daily water from the food they eat, and wet food has a higher water content to help support this.

Dry Food Might Make Your Cat More Thirsty

If your cat eats only dry food, or only gets wet food every once in a while, then she may be more prone to frequent trips to the water dish. Depending on other factors and conditions, this may be normal for her based on her diet.

How Often Your Cat Drinks Will Be Different for Every Cat

The number of times your cat goes to the water dish will depend on her preferences and personality. Most cats should drink about 4 ounces of water per 5 pounds of body weight in a day, give or take an ounce in either direction.

Checking How Much Drinking is Normal for Your Cat

Fill your cat’s water dish to the brim and leave it as-is for 24 hours. After 24 hours are up, check to see how much is gone from the dish. Do this over the course of a few days, if possible. By monitoring this water level daily, you can determine what’s normal for your cat and what isn’t.

Common Causes of Increased Thirst

Kidney or Liver Disease

Kidney and liver disease both cause increased thirst in cats. These diseases are often associated with cancer in cats, but they may also occur as part of old age. These problems can also come about as extended conditions related to other diseases, and they can be symptoms of toxicity in a cat’s body too.

Diabetes

Many cats, unfortunately, contract diabetes during their lives. Overfeeding cats or giving food that isn’t healthy to be eating, may cause them to be more at risk for diabetes. Older cats are also at risk for this disease and should be tested for it periodically, especially if showing signs of it.

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism, otherwise known as overactive thyroid, can cause both excessive hunger and excessive thirst in cats. It also causes cats to lose weight significantly and is sometimes considered a wasting disease because of this.

Urinary Tract Infection

Cats who have a urinary tract infection are likely to drink more water as they try to flush the infection out of their bodies. They may urinate more often or, on the other hand, may not be able to urinate much at all when dealing with this problem. Male cats are at a greater risk, but female cats can have urinary infections, too.

When to See a Vet

When Your Cat is Drinking More Than 4 Ounces per 5 Pounds

This is more than most cats need in a day. If this increased water intake is sustained over several days and isn’t in response to another factor (such as very hot temperatures outside), see a veterinarian.

When Your Cat Goes to the Water Dish Over and Over Again

If your cat drinks water, then walks away and comes back in just a few minutes, this is a troubling sign. You will need to schedule a vet visit soon.

When Increased Thirst is Paired with Trouble Urinating

If your cat is drinking more water and is also howling when she goes to the litter box, take her to the vet immediately. If she is drinking more and also urinating significant amounts, she will also need to go to the vet in this situation.

When Your Cat has Diarrhea

Increased thirst can sometimes be associated with diarrhea. If your cat has diarrhea more than once or twice in a row, she will need to see a vet, as she may become dehydrated or could be sick with a more serious underlying health problem.

In Conclusion

Now that you know a little bit more about when to see a vet and when to be concerned about your cat’s excessive thirst, you may be ready to schedule an appointment for your cat. However, keep in mind that there are some other factors to consider, and your cat may not have a serious illness causing this problem.

It’s always important to take your cat to the vet any time you think she may have a health concern. By working with a trusted vet at Altadena Pet Hospital, you can provide the best health care for your cat in any situation. Give them a call at (626) 798-0738 or book an appointment online!