My Cat is Drinking A Lot of Water, Should I be Concerned?

As a cat owner, you are probably very well-versed in your pet’s behavior and regular routine. Of course, this also means you’re quick to recognize any changes in your cat’s behavior that may indicate a problem, too. If you notice your cat drinking a lot of water, or much more water than he used to, this may be a cause for concern. Many causes of increased thirst will also cause increased urination.

How Much Water is Normal for My Cat to Drink?

Much like people, cats’ water needs can vary depending on their size, age, activity level, environment, diet and medications. 

• Generally speaking, a cat needs about 4 oz. of water per day for every 5 lbs. of body weight. 

• Larger breeds such as Maine Coon cats and active breeds like Siamese, often required more water (about 4.5 oz per 5 lbs. of weight).

• Wet or canned cat food can be up to 80% water, so whether you feed your cat dry or canned food affects his or her water needs.

• Certain medications like steroids and diuretics can affect the ability of your cat’s body to retain water, making dehydration a risk. Talk to your vet about any medication side-effects. 

Meowza! Cats receive exceptional emergency vet care from our expert clinical staff at VEG.

How Can I Tell How Much Water My Cat is Drinking?

If you have a cat that always drinks its water from one bowl, it’s fairly easy to keep track of its water intake. But many cats are more particular due to instinctive behavior. 

For example, cats may not like to have their water bowls next to their food bowls because in the wild, they would keep their prey away from water sources to avoid contamination. Likewise, avoid placing your cat’s water bowl near its litter box.

Many cats prefer running water, since, instinctively, moving water is less likely to have contaminants than stagnant water. Having several water bowls throughout your home, and/or a cat water fountain can be helpful in encouraging your cat to drink. 

While these options can help ensure your cat is drinking enough, they can also make it harder to gauge if your cat is increasing its water intake. Some solutions to consider:

• Use a measuring cup to fill your cat’s water bowl at the beginning of the day, then measure the amount of remaining water at day’s end. 

• Use cat bowls that include measure markings inside the bowl so you can easily see how much water your cat drank.

• Consider getting your cat a “smart fountain.” These come with apps that allow you to track the amount of water your cat is drinking, as well as how often your cat drinks. Some also come with reminders for you when the water needs changing. 

  
  

• Drinking more water typically means your cat will use the litter box more often, so keep track of how often your cat is going. On average, cats use a litterbox (including both urinating and defecating) 3-5 times a day.

5 Reasons Why Your Cat is Drinking A Lot of Water

Here are some possible reasons why your cat may be drinking more water. While some of these reasons aren’t a cause for concern, others can be serious and require a visit to the vet for an accurate diagnosis.  

Some common reasons why your cat is drinking a lot of water include, but aren’t limited to:

1. Recent Change to Dry Food Could Increase Cat's Thirst

   
   

Cats who eat wet food will take in most of the moisture they need through their diet. If your cat has historically been given wet food, you may notice an increase in the amount of water he or she drinks if switched to a diet that consists solely of dry food. This is one cause of increased thirst that does not necessarily result in increased urination.

Your cat will likely continue to drink more water long-term once on a dry food diet but will typically not be as much as during the time of initial diet change. However, if the problem persists past a few weeks, you should take your cat to the vet to rule out other causes. Bloodwork and urine testing will likely be recommended.

2. Hot Weather Will Make Cats More Thirsty

Another potential cause that could trigger your cat drinking a lot of water is hot weather. Some cats may naturally drink more water when it’s hot outside, just like humans usually do. This is normal, as long as the increased thirst is not associated with heatstroke.

Watch your cat for signs of heatstroke including:

1. Panting/abnormal breathing

2. Restlessness

3. Red or pale gums

4. Inability to rouse, weakness, or collapse

5. Vomiting

6. Abnormal mentation

7. Unsteady gait

8. Tremors or seizures

9. Drooling

If the only sign your cat is exhibiting is increased thirst but is not exhibiting any of the above signs, heat stroke is a less likely cause. However, we recommend calling our veterinarian at VEG if you are concerned or unsure.

3. Cat's Water Intake Can Point to Kidney Disease

Kidney disease is one of the most common and more serious diseases we see in cats. This disease is manageable but not curable – therefore early detection is necessary to instill therapies to help slow progression. Biannual to yearly blood work (depending on the age of your cat) is recommended to help detect early kidney damage.

Some signs of kidney disease in cats include:

1. Decreased appetite

2. Increased urination

3. Muscle or weight loss

4. Lethargy

5. Vomiting

6. In severe cases, pale gums (anemia)

If your cat is drinking a lot of water and they're urinating more frequently, they may be experiencing early signs of kidney disease. Your vet will likely recommend bloodwork, urine testing, and blood pressure if there is concern for compromised kidneys.

4. Drinking More Water Can Be Due to Hyperthyroidism in Cats

Hyperthyroidism is a serious disease that can affect cats more commonly than you might realize. This disease can even affect the heart. A clue that your cat may have hyperthyroidism is that it is suddenly acting like a kitten again despite he or she being an older cat.

Hyperthyroidism in cats may also cause other symptoms, including:

1. Increased appetite

2. Significant and quick weight loss

3. Unkempt hair coat and thickened nails

4. Vomiting and/or diarrhea

5. Increased thirst

6. Hyperactivity and vocalizing

This diagnosis is made based on bloodwork. There are different forms of treatment available – including permanent options.

5. Cat Drinking More Than Usual? It Could Be Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes Mellitus is another more serious cause of increased thirst and urination in cats. This disease consists of an inability to regulate blood sugar. Most cats diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus are overweight.

A way to try and prevent onset of diabetes is to keep your cat at an ideal weight. Cats who have diabetes will need to be given insulin injections and have their urine and blood sugar levels monitored closely. Unlike dogs, some cats may be able to go into remission from the disease if managed appropriately.

Diabetes can have very serious consequences in cats if gone untreated or unmanaged.

Call VEG if You’re Worried That Your Cat is Drinking More Than Usual

There are many possible causes why your cat is drinking a lot of water, some more serious than others. If you’re concerned about your cat’s increased water consumption and it does not resolve on its own after a few days, a visit to your vet is recommended. Your vet will likely recommend blood work and urine testing in most cases of increased thirst. Treatment depends on the underlying cause.

Overall, you should be concerned that your cat is drinking a lot of water, as the reason is because of an underlying health condition, as discussed above. 

VEG has locations for emergency cat care all over the country, with emergency vets who are available 24/7 to help you and your cat.

Our team knows that the potential causes for why your cat is drinking a lot of water can vary in severity, and we also know how important it is to make sure you know the reason why they’re doing this. When you come to VEG, you can be rest assured that your cat will get the proper care they need.