Do Cats Drink Water on Their Own When Thirsty? How to Tell if They are Dehydrated

Cats will seek water when they are thirsty, but they are not very sensitive to the feeling of thirst. When a cat feels thirsty enough to look for water, it usually indicates that they are already significantly dehydrated. If your cat's stool is dry, hard, and comes in small pellets, and their urine clumps are small, it's a sign of dehydration and they need to increase their water intake.

While cats will drink water when they're thirsty, their thirst mechanism isn't very strong. They won't actively seek water until they're very thirsty. This means that by the time a cat decides to find water, they are likely already severely dehydrated. Therefore, it is important for owners to encourage their cats to drink more water regularly to prevent dehydration.

How to Encourage Your Cat to Drink More Water

1. Monitor Their Stool

When a cat is dehydrated, their body will try to conserve water by absorbing it from their waste. If your cat's stool appears as small, hard, and dry pellets, this is a strong indicator that they are dehydrated and need more water.

2. Check the Size of Urine Clumps

This provides a direct indication of your cat's hydration levels. Using tofu cat litter as an example, an adult cat's urine clump should be about 1/3 the size of an adult human's palm, and they should produce one or two clumps per day. If your cat's urine clumps are as small as ping pong balls, it's crucial to take action and encourage them to drink more water. Consistent and adequate hydration is essential for a healthy cat.Explore more:Pet Knowledge