Is My Cat Drinking Too Much Water in Altadena, CA? | Altadena Pet Hospital (2024)

FAQs

Is My Cat Drinking Too Much Water in Altadena, CA? | Altadena Pet Hospital? ›

When Your Cat is Drinking More Than 4 Ounces per 5 Pounds. This is more than most cats need in a day. If this increased water intake is sustained over several days and isn't in response to another factor (such as very hot temperatures outside), see a veterinarian.

Signs of cat drinking more water than usual

The three main ones are: Making more trips to the water bowl the usual. Needing their water bowl refilled more often. Drinking from unusual places, such as taps or ponds, if they haven't before.

If any cat is drinking more than 100ml per kilogram (1.5 fluid ounces per pound) then this is regarded as excessive drinking, and they should be taken to their veterinarian for a check up. If a cat is drinking less water than the lower amount, they should be encouraged to drink more.

Cats will generally drink about 4 ounces of water per 5 pounds of body weight. So a 10-pound cat will typically drink about 8 ounces of water every day. Larger cats and very active cats will drink more than smaller or inactive cats. Some cats just naturally don't drink very much, while others will drink more often.

Polydipsia is defined as a cat drinking more than 100ml per kg of their bodyweight per day, but any cat that is drinking more than usual should be seen by a vet, as this may indicate that something is amiss. Of course, let the vet know the amount your cat is drinking if you have measured it.

The most common changes are weight loss, poor hair quality, halitosis (bad breath), and variable appetite, which may be associated with mouth ulcers, lethargy, and depression. Less common signs include increased drinking or urinating, vomiting, diarrhea, and anemia.

Cats need to consume about 4 ounces of water per five pounds of lean body weight per day, so the average 10-pound cat should drink about one cup of water per day.

A general guide for many is 0.8oz of water per lb of bodyweight. The average cat weighs around 10lb, so will need approximately 8oz of water each day. Another detail to consider is your cat's diet and the ratio of dry to wet food they're being fed.

The Committee on Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats states that cats usually drink an ounce of water for every half-ounce of dry food ingested. Most veterinarians recommend that a normal, healthy cat drink about 4 ounces (about ½ cup) of water per 5 pounds of body weight per day.

When Your Cat is Drinking More Than 4 Ounces per 5 Pounds. This is more than most cats need in a day. If this increased water intake is sustained over several days and isn't in response to another factor (such as very hot temperatures outside), see a veterinarian.

What is excessive thirst in cats? ›

Excessive drinking in cats or increased thirst in cats is a condition known as polydipsia.

Your Cat Has an Underlying Health Condition

Potential health issues that may cause a cat to drink more include: Urinary tract infections. Diabetes mellitus. Metabolic disorders.

Aging cats tend to sleep and drink more while being less hungry and less active. If you live in a warm climate or your house is kept at a fairly warm temperature, frequent trips to the water bowl may not be a cause for alarm in and of itself. The key is understanding what is normal for Fluffy.

Extreme thirst is usually the first symptom of kidney disease in cats. But as the toxins build up in their blood, your cat is likely to eat less, feel nauseous or even be sick. It's important to seek your vet's advice if you notice any of these symptoms.

So if your cat weighs 4 kg, for example, then she should drink between 200 ml and 280 ml per day. Your cat will not drink this amount all at once. She prefers lots of small portions. So a cat drinks ten to twelve times per day on average.

Healthy cats typically pee between 2 and 4 times each day. But this frequency is also affected by water intake, diet, heat and humidity. Keep tabs on your cat's peeing habits. Did it use to pee twice a day but recently started to do so more than usual?

Your cat needs a daily amount of about 3.5 to 4.5 ounces of water per 5 pounds of their body weight. For instance, if you have a 10-pound cat, they should be drinking between 7 to 9 ounces of water daily.

Peeing More Often. When urine clumps get to be larger and/or show up more frequently in the box, it's called polyuria, or more than an average amount of urine. For most cats to be diagnosed with polyuria, they are producing more than 50 ml/kg/day (a calculation your veterinarian can do if needed).