The cat is a
delicate animal with water, as for many things besides. But his behavior in
terms of taking drink is really special. However, it is known that cats are
sensitive to the urinary level as they age, and the link with their ability to
hydrate properly is important. How to make his cat drink what he needs?
Water, the first food
Water is the first food. It makes up about 70-80% of the mass of an animal.
How to give a drink to my cat?
The behavior of the cat's water is quite particular: they like to have several water points, which can change every day. Seeing the proposed water in a new unusual place tends to stimulate the cat to drink. This probably comes from the fact that it favors the cat in the wild to drink in new, cleaner waters.
In the same way, cats are often attracted by the flowing waters. This largely explains the success of the water fountains, or even the tap!
It is therefore advisable to install bowls or fountains in different parts of the house, making sure to change the water every day (so as not to concentrate minerals). You can change the location of the bowls a little, but offer it in visible places, in order to stimulate it as regularly as possible to drink.
You can also add vegetables to his diet, which brings a lot of water. Cats especially like zucchini, which mix easily with some fish. In addition, it increases the volume of its ration, giving it more satiety and promoting the maintenance of a correct weight.
Water, the first food
Water is the first food. It makes up about 70-80% of the mass of an animal.
The cat is a strict carnivore, who eats a lot of small fresh prey, and rich in
water. He has concentrated urine, so he is an animal adapted to keep the water
and he does not drinks very much. In other words, a large part of his water
needs are provided by his food.
To see the cat increase the quantity of urine emitted (which means he drinks at least what he needs), he must take at least one food at 75% humidity, which corresponds to the water content of the prey. When the cat eats wet food, it also actually eats water.
It takes about 30 to 50mL of water per day and per kg of cat, or between 150 and 200mL per day and per cat. These needs may increase in the case of a dry food.
To see the cat increase the quantity of urine emitted (which means he drinks at least what he needs), he must take at least one food at 75% humidity, which corresponds to the water content of the prey. When the cat eats wet food, it also actually eats water.
It takes about 30 to 50mL of water per day and per kg of cat, or between 150 and 200mL per day and per cat. These needs may increase in the case of a dry food.
How do I know if my cat drinks enough?
The level of hydration of an animal can be easily measured using the crease of the skin: by slightly pinching the skin of the neck and counting the time necessary for the return of the skin. A skin fold greater than two seconds indicates dehydration of the order of 5%.
This technique therefore does not measure light dehydration, which extends over time. To do this, measure the amount of water that your cat drinks each day, by estimating the amount of water you pour into your bowls and subtracting what is left.
As mentioned above, it is necessary to take into account the cat's diet, in which he must find nearly half of his water needs. A cat that eats wet food will therefore have fewer needs and a cat under the kibble will have to receive a larger portion of water.
The level of hydration of an animal can be easily measured using the crease of the skin: by slightly pinching the skin of the neck and counting the time necessary for the return of the skin. A skin fold greater than two seconds indicates dehydration of the order of 5%.
This technique therefore does not measure light dehydration, which extends over time. To do this, measure the amount of water that your cat drinks each day, by estimating the amount of water you pour into your bowls and subtracting what is left.
As mentioned above, it is necessary to take into account the cat's diet, in which he must find nearly half of his water needs. A cat that eats wet food will therefore have fewer needs and a cat under the kibble will have to receive a larger portion of water.
How to give a drink to my cat?
The behavior of the cat's water is quite particular: they like to have several water points, which can change every day. Seeing the proposed water in a new unusual place tends to stimulate the cat to drink. This probably comes from the fact that it favors the cat in the wild to drink in new, cleaner waters.
In the same way, cats are often attracted by the flowing waters. This largely explains the success of the water fountains, or even the tap!
It is therefore advisable to install bowls or fountains in different parts of the house, making sure to change the water every day (so as not to concentrate minerals). You can change the location of the bowls a little, but offer it in visible places, in order to stimulate it as regularly as possible to drink.
You can also add vegetables to his diet, which brings a lot of water. Cats especially like zucchini, which mix easily with some fish. In addition, it increases the volume of its ration, giving it more satiety and promoting the maintenance of a correct weight.
What are the risks of a poor
water supply?
It is very important to understand that the consequences of a poor water supply can only be seen very late. Concretely, the animal that does not drink enough compensates by concentrating even more its urine, to retain the water. The consequence is that the kidneys are fatigued much more quickly as they age.
There may be other side effects to this concentration of urine, such as the risk of urinary tract infections or urinary stones that increases.
It is very important to understand that the consequences of a poor water supply can only be seen very late. Concretely, the animal that does not drink enough compensates by concentrating even more its urine, to retain the water. The consequence is that the kidneys are fatigued much more quickly as they age.
There may be other side effects to this concentration of urine, such as the risk of urinary tract infections or urinary stones that increases.
