6 ways to encourage your cat to drink more

16th August 2018

To avoid kidney problems, it’s important to ensure your cat stays hydrated, particularly during hot weather. Take a look at these top tips to encourage your cat to drink more.

Water bowl placement

Many cat owners place their cat’s water directly next to their food bowl. Cats might be put off drinking near their food due to the smell or because they perceive the water to be contaminated because it is close to the food. In the wild, cats eat their prey away from water sources to avoid contamination and this is true of domestic cats.

Try different bowls

Cats are sometimes particular about the size and material of bowl. Try a few different bowls until you find one that your cat is happy with, such as stainless steel or glass bowls, shallow or wide bowls.

Fresh water

Replace your cat’s water daily to ensure they always have access to fresh, clean water.

Cool water

Cats sometimes prefer drinking water that is cold, because they might perceive cold water to be fresher. Keep your cat’s water cold by replenishing it regularly. You could even pop a few ice cubes in the bowl if the weather is particularly warm. Ice cubes in their food can also work as while they’re eating, they can stay extra hydrated too.

Running water

In the wild, cats instinctively look for running water to quench their thirst, steering clear of still water that may have become stagnant. Running water from a tap at home might therefore be more appealing to your cat. Leave a tap dripping or invest in a pet water fountain for your cat to drink from.

Multiple resources

Don’t just provide one water source for your cat – make sure you have plenty of water stations, both inside and outside of the house. This is particularly important if you have more than one cat because cats generally do not like to share resources. In multi-cat homes, water stations should not be placed next to one another as a timid cat might not want to visit a water bowl when a more dominant cat is drinking. Place water bowls in areas of the house that each of your cat’s likes to visit so that each cat can drink in peace.