Keeping a cat as a pet is a full-time responsibility, and it is not easy. However, when you get used to it, it becomes easy to take care of them. Giving water and feeding your cat is very easy as you just have to place these near your cat. But has this thought ever come to your mind about how long a cat can go without water? Or how much intake of water is necessary for your cat?
This is important to know the answer to these questions because less intake of water can lead your cat to dehydration. Therefore, we have compiled all the information in this article for your convenience.
You will be able to know what quantity of water is necessary for your cat. Moreover, how long can a cat survive without water and the dangers of dehydration? A comparison between wild and domestic cats has also been made in this article.
Trending:
- Do Cats Dream? 8 Important Facts About Cats Dream!
- Can Cats See Ghosts? 7 Surprising Signs Your Cat Has Seen a Ghost!
- How Do Cats Mate? Facts About Cat Mating And Breeding!
What Will I Learn?
How Long Can A Cat Go Without Water?
Water is as essential for your cat as any other nutrient is. Cats cannot survive without water for more than 3-4 days. This is because, without water, a cat’s health starts to decline. Outdoor cats can survive a little longer than the indoor cat. This is because outdoor cats fulfill their need for water with the water content they get from their pray.
Without water, a cat’s body organs will not work correctly. Wet cat foods have a high rate of moisture in them, and they prove very beneficial. Highly energetic cats burn their fluids faster than lazy cats. Therefore, the period of survival of these cats without water is not too long.
3 Factors That Decide The Amount of Water Necessary For Cats
It depends on several different factors that how much amount of water your cat needs. You can look for various signs in your cat to know if the eater intake for your cat is enough or not. The following are the different factors on which the amount of water needed depends.
1. Size or Age:
Size or age is critical to know the amount of water needed. Small-sized cats need less amount of water than the large-sized cats. Similarly, kittens or young cats also require less intake of water than older cats.
2. Food of Cat:
Water quantity also depends on what type of food your cat is eating. For example, if its dry food, your cat will drink more water. However, in the case of wet food, a cat can drink less water because wet canned food can fulfill the need.
3. Signs of Enough Water Intake:
You can notice different symptoms in your cat to ensure that it is drinking enough amount of water. For example, if your cat ha a silky coat free from flakes and dryness, it means that there is no dehydration. Moreover, your cat will also urinate regularly.
Water intake also depends on how long is the sleep time or your cat, and either it’s lazy or active most of the time. On average, 2 to 4 ounces of water is necessary for cats apart from the food that your cat eats.
What Happens If Your Cat Does Not Drink Water?
Water is as essential for cats as it is for human beings. It helps a cat to keep it active and healthy. However, if your cat is not drinking enough water, it will affect its health.
- The very first issue that your cat may face is dehydration. Frequent urination and less intake of water lead your cat to dehydration.
- A lot of dehydration can be the reason for many other problems in your cat. For example, your cat may have vomiting, or it may suffer from constipation. Moreover, quick heart rate and dry gums are also the results of dehydration.
- Mood swings and lethargy are also a result of dehydration.
Therefore, it is essential that your cat drink enough amount of water to stay healthy and active. It will also prevent specific health problems mentioned above.
Why Is My Cat Not Drinking water? (2 Reasons)
To prevent your cat from dehydration, make sure that it is having enough intake of water. Your cat may stop drinking water, in this situation, you need to figure out the problem and the reason behind it. Cats stop drinking water because of many reasons, some are below:
1. Water is not clean:
A cat may stop drinking water if it finds that the water is not clean. There can be any debris, dirt, or food particles in it. For this reason, your cat may not want to drink water. Washing her bowl or changing the water can be helpful in this regard.
2. Place of Water Bowl:
Another reason why your cat may not drink water is the place where you have placed the bowl of water. Cats are very picky about different things. So try to change the location of its water bowl or just keep it at a distance from the food. It may help to solve the problem.
Let your cat drink water in whatever way it may like. It may want to dip its paw in water or splash it. Your place may become dirty, but your cat will drink water in this way.
Harmful Effects Of Dehydration
Dehydration has many adverse effects on your cat’s health. It can kill a cat just within 24 hours. Apart from this, dehydration can damage a cat’s organ. Loss in the weight of your cat also occurs because of dehydration. Cats that are already suffering from some kind of disease are more susceptible to dehydration.
Therefore, it is essential that you immediately take your vet’s advice or pay a visit for a complete checkup. It can prevent your cat from some serious diseases.
Identifying Dehydration In Cats (7 Symptoms)
To identify dehydration in cats, you need to notice the symptoms. Tenting or loose skin is the very first symptoms that you may see if your cat has dehydration. You can check the skin of her neck on the back. Falling back slowly or skin staying up is an indication that cats need more water. There are fewer amounts of fluids in her body.
Some other symptoms that you can notice for dehydration include:
- Sticky or dry gums
- Loss of appetite
- Weakness
- Drooling
- Excessive urination
- Panting
- Elevated heart rate
If you notice the symptoms mentioned above in your cat, consult your veterinarian. He can suggest you some changes to make in diet or can treat your cat.
3 Ways To Boost Water Intake Of Your Cat
If your kitty is not drinking enough amount of water required, you need to boost her intake of water. For this reason, there are specific ways you can help your cat to drink water.
1. Placing Bowls of Water:
Changing the position of a water bowl or keeping more than one in different places will help your cat to drink water. It can drink water whenever it wants. Moreover, make sure that the water bowl is not dirty and the water is clean.
2. Wet Food:
If your cat does not like drinking from the bowl, you can make changes in her diet. Giving wet cat food to your cat will fulfill her need for water. Therefore, it will not have any harmful effects if it does not drink any extra water.
3. Adding Flavor in Water:
Cats are very picky eaters. They may not like pure drinking water. For this reason, you can make ice cubes of clam juice and add them to the water bowl. It will increase the taste and will also keep the water cold for a long time.
4. Changing Bowls:
Try changing the water bowl of your cat. A colorful or different bowl may attract your cat, and it starts drinking water from it. Changing of a bowl can be as helpful as changing the place.
Loss Of Important Fluids
Some essential fluids can be lost through sweating and urinating. There are some other factors as well that lead to excessive fluid loss in cats. Therefore, it is essential that your cat takes enough amount of water. Loss of fluids can occur because of several reasons. It includes:
- Diseases
- Vaccinations
- Problems of urinary tract
- Kidney problems
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
Dehydration In Domestic & Wild Cats
If a comparison between wild and domestic cats is made, domestic cats need more intake of water. There are different sources to fulfill the water intake need for wild cats For example, they can get water from its prey or different insect or soil. Rodents and some birds are rich in water content, so when they become a cat’s prey, they fulfill its need.
On the other hand, domestic cats only drink water from a bowl or can absorb the water contents from wet food. There are fewer available sources of water intake for domestic cats. Therefore, you need to pay special attention so that your cat may not suffer.
Can Dehydration Kill A Cat?
Dehydration, if not treated, can kill your cat. This is because dehydration affects cats in many ways. A cat’s internal body organs may not work correctly because of dehydration. Moreover, dehydration can also be a reason for different skin problems.
When a cat does not get enough amounts of fluids, its health starts to decline. All these issues, when combined, can make the condition of your cat critical. Therefore, if you do not take proper care, it can kill your cat.
How Long Can A Cat Go Without Water? – Final Verdict
Water is as essential for cats as it is for human beings. 2-4 ounces of water is the average amount that cats need. Fewer intakes will lead your cat to dehydration. Dehydration, in turn, can have different problems for your cat. Therefore, you need to look for the signs and symptoms of dehydration.
You can adopt different techniques to boost up water intake of your cat. Moreover, you can also add some flavor or can change the water bowl. This will help you to build up your cat’s interest in drinking water.
Leave a Reply