How Much Water Should A Cat Drink A Day?

We all know how some cats are picky eaters and that can sometimes influence their water intake. While some cats happily drink throughout the day, others barely seem to touch their water. Because cats can get a significant amount of moisture from their food, it isn't always easy to tell how much water they actually need.

Therefore, it’s important to know how much water a cat should drink on a daily basis. The answer really depends on many factors including your cat's overall size, their diet, activity level, age, and overall health. Knowing what is normal for your cat can help you spot changes in their drinking habits that may signal a problem.

How Much Water Does a Cat Need Each Day?

As a general guideline, a healthy adult cat needs roughly 3.5 to about 4.5 ounces of water per five pounds of body weight each day from all diet ounces. That means a healthy nine pound cat needs about 6.3 to 8.1 ounces of total water per day. This is equal to a little less than one cup of water daily.

That number includes water your cat gets from food as well as what they drink from their bowl or fountain. This distinction is especially important for cats that eat wet food because canned and pouch foods contain a lot of moisture.

For example, a cat eating primarily wet food may drink very little from a water bowl and still get plenty of moisture throughout the day. A cat eating dry kibble, on the other hand, gets much less water from food and generally needs to drink more.

Do Cats Get Water From Their Food?

Yes. Cats that eat wet food get a lot more daily water than cats that only eat dry kibble. Wet cat food typically contains a high percentage of moisture, while dry kibble contains considerably less.

This explains why a cat eating canned food may seem like a very light drinker. They are getting water with every meal. In fact, some cats can naturally maintain their hydration primarily through their food and don't have a strong drive to drink from a bowl.

Cats eating dry food need to make up more of their water needs by drinking. This is one reason providing fresh, appealing water is particularly important for cats that eat mostly kibble.

Why Don't Most Cats Drink Much Water?

Cats evolved from ancestors that lived in environments where water wasn't always readily available. They developed an efficient way of getting moisture from their prey, which naturally contained a lot of water.

Because of this, some cats don't have the same strong thirst response that we might expect from other animals, like dogs. A cat can also become accustomed to getting most of its moisture from food and simply may not drink much from a bowl.

That doesn't mean cats don't need water. Hydration supports normal body functions, including circulation, digestion, temperature regulation, and healthy kidney function.

How Can You Tell If Your Cat Is Drinking Enough Water?

It can be difficult to know exactly how much water a cat drinks, particularly in a multi-cat household. You may notice that the water level in the bowl barely changes, but that doesn't necessarily mean your cat isn't getting enough moisture.

Pay attention to your cat's overall habits. Normal urination, a healthy appetite, normal energy levels, and moist gums are generally reassuring signs. Your cat's diet also provides an important clue. A cat eating wet food will usually need less drinking water than a cat eating dry food.

If you want to monitor your cat's drinking habits more closely, measure how much water you put into the bowl each day and check how much remains after twenty four hours. Just remember that spills, evaporation, and other pets drinking from the same bowl can make the measurement less precise.

Why Isn't My Cat Drinking Water?

Some cats just don't like the way their water is presented to them. The water bowl may be too close to their food or litter box, the water may not be fresh enough for their preferences, or the bowl itself may be uncomfortable.

Cats can also have individual preferences when it comes to water. Some prefer moving water from a fountain, while others like a wide, shallow dish. Some cats prefer drinking from a glass (and even your water glass!), while others happily drink from a traditional pet bowl.

Keeping fresh water available in multiple locations can make it easier for your cat to drink throughout the day. It can also be helpful to make sure the water bowls are clean, and you regularly refresh your cat’s water to make it more appealing.

How Can You Get Your Cat to Drink More Water?

Making water more appealing can encourage a cat to drink without forcing the issue. Try placing several water stations around the house, especially in areas where your cat already likes to spend time.

A cat water fountain may appeal to cats that prefer running water. You can also try different types of bowls to see what your cat prefers. Some cats dislike having their whiskers touch the sides of narrow bowls, so a wider, shallow dish may work better.

Adding moisture to your cat's diet can also help. Feeding wet food or adding a veterinarian-approved amount of water to meals can increase your cat's overall fluid intake.

Can a Cat Drink Too Much Water?

Yes, a cat can drink too much water. Although staying hydrated is important, drinking significantly more water than usual can be a sign that something has changed.

Rather than focusing only on a specific number of ounces, look at your cat's normal drinking pattern. If your cat has always been a light drinker and suddenly starts emptying the water bowl several times a day, that change deserves attention.

The same applies to increased urination. Drinking and urinating more frequently often go hand in hand, so noticing both changes makes it particularly important to contact your veterinarian.

Why Is Your Cat Suddenly Drinking More Water?

While it’s important for cats to drink water, a noticeable increase in thirst is more important than whether your cat drinks a specific number of ounces every day. If your cat suddenly starts visiting the water bowl frequently or drinking much more than usual, it's worth paying attention.

Increased thirst and urination can occur with several health conditions, including kidney disease, diabetes, and hyperthyroidism. Certain medications can also increase thirst.

A cat that drinks more water after playing, during hot weather, or after switching from wet food to dry food may simply be responding to a normal change. But a persistent increase in water drinking should be discussed with your veterinarian, particularly if you notice other changes.

Symptoms That Can Go Along With Excessive Drinking

When increased thirst results from an underlying health problem, you may notice other changes as well. Watch for:

• Increased urination or larger amounts of urine

• Weight loss

• Increased or decreased appetite

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Changes in energy or behavior

• Poor coat condition

• Weakness or lethargy

These symptoms don't necessarily mean your cat has a particular disease, but they are good reasons to have your cat evaluated by a veterinarian.

When Should You Call the Vet?

A cat that refuses water for a short period may still get moisture from food, but a complete loss of interest in drinking can become concerning, especially if your cat also isn't eating. Cats that aren't eating or drinking and seem unwell should receive prompt veterinary attention.

You should also contact your veterinarian if your cat suddenly starts drinking substantially more water, urinates much more than usual, loses weight without explanation, vomits repeatedly, or seems unusually tired or weak.

For cats, changes in drinking habits can sometimes provide one of the earliest clues that something isn't quite right. Paying attention to what is normal for your individual cat can make those changes much easier to spot.

The Bottom Line On Your Cat’s Water Intake

The amount of water that your cat drinks a day can vary depending on your cat’s diet and individual habits. Wet food can provide a large portion of a cat's daily moisture needs, while cats eating mostly dry food generally need to drink more.

Rather than worrying about an exact number every day, get familiar with your cat's normal water intake. A sudden change, particularly an increase (or decrease) in drinking or urination is much more important and is something worth discussing with your veterinarian. 

How much water should a cat drink a day? Learn how much water cats need, how food affects hydration, and when increased thirst may signal a health problem.