Check out some similar questions!

june1031 · Jul 21, 2008, 11:53 AM

Was wandering if anybody would know a trick I could do to get my cat to drink more. I place fresh water out and when I go to give him more it doesn't seem to be even touched.
Thank you in advance for any ideas.:confused:

HistorianChick · Jul 21, 2008, 11:57 AM

Some cats like running water... They have special cat/dog water bowls that mimic running water... you could try those... or... see if your cat will drink from the bathroom sink or tub... sounds odd, but before you go out and buy a "running water fountain" for your cat, you may want to see if he prefers it! :)

tickle · Jul 21, 2008, 11:57 AM

They are sneaky little creatures. I see my one spending time at the water bowl, shared with his big sister. They drink so little June, that you would hardly notice its gone. Most important thing is the water is down for your cat and that is the main thing. They DO drink it, we can't just catch them all the time. If you are giving wet cat food, don't forget they are getting moisture that too.

We worry too much. Don't sweat the little things, and the big things will take care of themselves. Is that what they say? I could have it backwards. Either way, you know what I mean :)

june1031 · Jul 21, 2008, 12:07 PM

Thank you for the ideas I probably am just a worry wart. I'll have to check out the fountain thing

tickle · Jul 21, 2008, 12:09 PM

June, try the running water tap thingy first before you invest. It could be something really simple that your cat will enjoy. Yes, you are a worry wart!

HistorianChick · Jul 21, 2008, 12:10 PM

:) Its $40, but hey, they do make them! I'm sure you could find a cheaper one somewhere...

Catit Fresh & Clear Water Fountain for Cats and Small Dogs at PETCO

Turn on the sink first, though! :)

Wondergirl · Jul 21, 2008, 12:18 PM

My son leaves on the bathroom faucet (a trickle) for his running-water shelter cat. He renamed her Farrah Fawcett.

froggy7 · Jul 21, 2008, 08:05 PM

If your son is going to do that, he really is better off getting one of the water fountains. I had a slow dripping sink, and put a big pot under it to catch the water (before I figured out that I could just turn the water off to the sink!), and I was shocked to see how fast that drip filled up the pot. A slow trickle is going to be even more wasteful/expensive.

linnealand · Jul 23, 2008, 12:34 PM

I just wanted to add a little note. Some cats do drink less water. In nature, a good deal of their water comes from their food.

We have friends whose cat died of kidney failure at 7 years old, and the vet blamed it on the fact that it only ate dry cat food. If your kitty is not drinking (not even behind your back), you might want to feed it moist foods.

You might be able to portion out a specific amount of water into the cat's bowl. Then, when you go to change it, instead of pouring it into the sink try pouring it back into the measuring cup. Whatever is missing is what he drank (although some water may evaporate, too). This would work even better if you have a precision kitchen scale.

humpty-dumpty · Jul 24, 2008, 06:15 PM

I would measure the water first and then check it at the end of the day to see how much he drank... at least you will know how much he has consumed.
I also read that sometimes adding a little tuna "juice" to the water may help.
I would always add water to my rescue kittens "wet" food and they would lap it up.. I knew they ere getting that extra water in their food.
Lastly... you could gently syringe some water down him or even give him some Pedialyte... like you would give a small child to prevent dehydration. Again... you would know how much he is getting.
Find out from your vet how to tell if he is getting too dehydrated... the vet may have to give him fluids with an IV, if he is not getting enough. (I would add water to a wet food he likes... that would probably work)
Good Luck...

pompano · Jul 25, 2008, 06:20 PM

If you feed your cat can food ,she is getting her water from the food.Canned food is mostly made of water.Another thing my cat likes is warm water when I am taking a bath.She wants it in a bowl by the tub.Cats are weird,but that's why we like them so much!