Cat Care Clinic

Posted on: 15 June 2015

Getting your cat to drink water regularly can be a challenge. However, having a diet with a high water content is essential if your cat is to remain as healthy as possible. In order to make sure that your cat gets enough water there are certain measures you can put in place.

Try Canned Food

If you have been feeding your cat mostly dry food, then switching them to canned food can make a big difference. Canned food contains a lot of water and feeding your cat three canned meals a day will usually give them all the water they need.

Use More Than One Water Source

Having more than one water source available is a good way to ensure that your cat has multiple opportunities to get enough water. This means that you should try different containers until you figure out exactly what your cat likes. Shallow saucers that make water readily available as well as kitty fountains are good options to try in order to give your cat diverse water sources. Make sure that you wash the containers that you use with warm, soapy water at least two times per week.

Use Ice Cubes

Putting ice cubes in your cat's food is one interesting way of getting your cat to drink water. When you place ice cubes in your cat's food the ice cubes take on the taste or the food itself. This means that your cat will be more inclined to lick the cubes and get water into their body.

Try Flavored Water

Some cats prefer to have a little flavor in their water. You can add flavor to your cat's water by adding some chicken or beef broth to the water. You may also want to try adding tuna juice to the water if broth is not readily available.

Give Subcutaneous Fluids

If your cat is falling ill due to dehydration even after you have tried several methods to get them to drink water, you can ask your vet if it is possible for you to give subcutaneous fluids. Rehydrating with subcutaneous fluids involves using a syringe and an IV bag to give your cat fluid underneath the skin. The technique is easy to learn and your vet will assist you. Most cats will respond well to this kind of treatment, so you should not hesitate to talk to your vet about it.

Making sure your cat gets enough water can be a challenge. However, if you use the methods outlined you should find that the challenge is significantly reduced or eliminated. Talk to a local vet, like Highland Animal Hospital, if you have any concerns about your cat's health.