Reviewed by Dr. Sarah Yosry
Updated on 01/02/2025
Reading time 3 min.
Overview
Severity: Low
Life stage: All
Cats are often considered one of the most independent and self-sufficient animals. They can survive without food and water for days, even weeks. Still, some cats may not drink enough water independently because of illness or injury.
If your cat won’t drink water, it’s essential to know why so that you can take steps toward getting him back into good health!
Why Is My Cat Not Drinking Water?
Cats are not natural drinkers. They are carnivores, meaning they eat less meat and water than other animals. They also have a high metabolism, making it difficult to digest food if they don’t chew it properly. Because of this, cats may not feel thirsty until they are dehydrated or have lost a lot of bodily fluids through vomiting or diarrhea (which can happen when your cat has eaten something terrible). Therefore, cats prefer drinking from running taps rather than bowls because there’s no need for them to chew on anything before taking a sip!
How Do I Know if My Cat Is Dehydrated?
There are several signs that your cat is dehydrated. If you notice these symptoms in your pet, you must seek veterinary care as soon as possible.
- Dry mouth: The first sign of dehydration is dryness in the mouth and tongue, which a lack of moisture or mucus production can cause. A loss of appetite or lethargy may also accompany this symptom.
- Lack of energy: You may notice that your cat is not using up its calories the way it usually would—it may even seem sluggish and unmotivated at times! This could be due to low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), but if you suspect this condition based on other symptoms such as increased thirst, it’s likely worth contacting a vet immediately.
- Constipation: Another common symptom associated with dehydration is constipation; if there’s no movement through their bowels, then feces will become impacted within them over time which can cause pain when attempting passage through their anus (and possibly even discomfort).
How To Provide Hydration to a Cat That Won’t Drink?
If your cat doesn’t drink water, there are several things you can do. A water bowl might not work because cats are very selective about what they eat and drink. Try to get them used to drinking from the same bowl, but if that doesn’t work, try using an eye dropper or syringe with a small amount of water (just enough for them).
If neither of these methods works, then take your kitty to the vet! They might have something more serious going on than just being dehydrated.
How do I get my cat to drink his water?
If your cat is not drinking water, there are a few things you can do to help him. First, if you have a cat water fountain or bowl installed in the home and he drinks from it regularly, that’s a good sign that he prefers this hydration method over drips from his faucet or dish.
If your cat refuses to drink from anything else when offered (or if you have multiple cats), an easy solution is to buy an inexpensive refillable water bottle for each cat and keep them filled up at all times, so they always have access to fresh H2O.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many reasons why your cat may not be drinking water. If this is the case, you must take him to the vet as soon as possible so they can help diagnose what is causing this problem. On top of that, they’ll also recommend getting your cat checked out by a veterinary behaviorist who can advise on how best to care for him when he’s in pain or sick.
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Writen by
Dr. Sarah Yosry
DVM
A product of a rich Australian/Egyptian heritage, Dr. Sarah Yosry stands as a testament to the union of diverse cultures and a shared love for animals…
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