Have you ever heard that cats are notoriously bad drinkers? This is because their bodies are designed to get most of the moisture they need from their food. Domestic felines as we know and love them evolved from animals that thrived in desert-like conditions. As a result, they have a natural predisposition to be able survive on less water consumption and can even concentrate their urine.

But this doesn’t mean that they should! In fact, dehydration could result in an array of health conditions including urethral blockages, bladder infections, and kidney disease. Hydration is essential for raising a healthy and happy cat and cannot be ignored.

So, what can we as pawrents do to ensure our furkids get their quota in? 

In modern times as our pets, feline diets are a little different to what their ancestors consumed, and our kitties need to be encouraged to consume more fluids as a result. You should be aiming to get in around 200ml of fluid per day, depending on your cat’s body type and activity levels. And no – milk is never an appropriate substitute for water (unless your kitty is a neonate receiving formula).

Now, I’m not going to get into the nitty gritty of cat diets in this post (we can do so later if you’d like), but I will share that we personally believe in a high quality free-fed pellet and giving protein-rich wet foods daily. Some form of moisture packed food is essential for your cat and a simple kibble diet will very unlikely be sufficient. If your cat is on a strict vet-prescribed dry diet, be sure to chat to them about hydration concerns. 

While a diet with moisture in it is vital for your cat, nothing can beat a drink of clean and fresh water.

Have you noticed your cats lining up immediately after you’ve refilled their water bowl? We certainly have! Cats are naturally attracted to fresh, moving water and will stay away from water that has been stationary for a while. This is most likely a survival instinct, as stagnant water is a breeding ground for bacteria that can make them sick. This is what makes drinking fountains an excellent option for cats.

On the flip side, if your cat or kitten is constantly at their water bowl, this isn’t necessarily a good thing. In fact, it is probably a good indicator that they’re unwell. Kittens running temperatures will often drink more water than usual, as will cats with hyperthyroidism or similar conditions. It’s important to strike a good balance and monitor your cat’s water intake for any signs of concern.

Our top tips for helping to keep your cat hydrated: 

• Invest in a water fountain
• Choose a large, wide water bowl
• Opt for ceramic or stainless steel if you’re going for a plain bowl. This keeps it cool and is more bacteria resistant than plastic.
• Change out water daily.
• Clean bowls and fountains frequently. We like to give ours a good soak in Milton’s and then scrub down, using earbuds in the hard to reach crevices of the fountains.
• Opt for unique designs that will keep the water moving – like the M-Pets Pet Water Dispenser.
• Provide multiple sources and options.
• Change it up. Move bowls around but always in your cat’s common paths. They’ll be interested to see something new and probably take a drink.
• Ensure accessibility. Keep your bowls and fountains in visible spots and areas that your cats frequent.
• Wet food for the win! Offer daily wet food that is high in water content and protein.

Our top water source picks:

(We include all three in our home) 

At 2L, the M-Pets Cat Drinking Fountain is the perfect size for multi-cat homes. The soft flow and curved shape is enticing, as cats tend to prefer to lap from the edge of fountains. It’s very easy to assemble and clean. Available from Pet Heaven for R600. 

M-Pets Snail Pet Water Dispenser is uniquely formulated to automatically flow as it’s consumed. This ensures a readily available supply of fresh water without pawrents needing to work too hard. Great for cats that love the tap! Available from Pet Heaven for R475. 

Oversized ceramic bowls from Mr Price Home. We opt for flat-set and extremely wide water bowls that won’t bother the cats’ whiskers. They’re also more suited to a home with five cats, as they hold much more water. Head into Mr Price to view their selection as it’s hard to tell online.

We hope that this blog helped offer a bit more insight into the world of water and cats! Please remember that our Instagram inbox is always open for further discussions and support.