“help, my cat doesn’t drink enough water! what do i do?”
dearest concerned cat parent,
cats are fickle creatures. and sometimes they refuse to drink water. why? we think it’s spite. but who can really say.
barring any health concerns (of course, talk to your vet), hope is not lost. there are some easy adjustments you can make, plus some food and treat choices that’ll trick your feline into getting extra hydration.
provide fresh water
cats have a very keen sense of smell. if their water is even a hint of stale, they're sure to turn their noses up. so give them fresh water everyday in a clean bowl. emphasis on clean, because biofilm (bacteria and fungi) can easily stick to the sides of the dish.
elevate their bowl
imagine trying to eat soup without using your hands. you have to lean all the way down to the bowl on the table. it’s inconvenient, uncomfortable, and your neck will hurt. that’s what it feels like for your cat. so do them a favor and elevate their water dish.
spoil your cat with hydrating treats
your cat won’t be able to turn down a yummy treat (even if it’s a trick to hydrate them). these lickable purée tube treats are a fan favorite even amongst the pickiest, saltiest of cats. the creamy texture is irresistible.
if you really need a hydration boost, our Urinary Support wet cat food is great. the grilled tuna is swirled in a savory, moisture-rich gravy. and to top it off, this recipe has DL-methionine and cranberry extract to help support urinary pH balance.
(if you’re looking for the most value, our 13oz gourmet wet food is live on Chewy! we have a variety pack of salmon, chicken, duck, and ocean fish. and if you want to try single cans, we’ve got salmon, chicken, ocean fish, fuck, and turkey & cheese).
make sure their bowl is wide enough (bonus: water fountain)
most pet food and water dishes are actually made for dogs. annoying, right? they can be too deep and not wide enough. cats have flatter, wider faces than dogs, and it can get uncomfortable when their whiskers are hitting the edge of a bowl (also called whisker fatigue).
so the best solution is to get a wide water dish or a cat water fountain. they tend to gravitate towards running water since it taps into their survival instincts to discover water sources. just make sure you do regular refills and clean out the filter at least once a month.
when in doubt, add broth or water to their meals
if everything above somehow fails you (we don’t think it would), you can add water or broth to their meals. we recommend having at least one meal be wet food, but if that’s not possible, you can add water to their kibble.
that’s it for today. we hope your hydration woes are no longer. best of luck.
-Salty Cat team
