My Cat Won't Drink Water — How to Boost Their Water Intake

Why this matters

Thanks to their desert-dwelling ancestors, cats have a weak sense of thirst. The problem is that chronic dehydration is a key cause of the most common feline illnesses — cystitis, urinary stones, and chronic kidney disease. Cats fed only dry food are especially prone to falling short on water.

Is my cat drinking enough?

The guideline is 40–60 ml per kg of body weight per day. For a 4 kg cat, that's about 160–240 ml a day. If your cat eats wet food, the moisture in the food counts too, so it's perfectly normal for them to appear to drink less. You can check your own cat's target amount right away with the Daily Water Intake Calculator.

7 ways to boost your cat's water intake

• Set out multiple water bowls — one along each of your cat's routes. Place them away from the food, not next to it (by natural instinct, cats consider water near food to be contaminated).
• Use a wide, shallow bowl — many cats dislike having their whiskers touch the sides of the bowl.
• Try running water (a fountain) — this taps into their instinct to prefer moving water over still water.
• Add wet food to the mix — the surest method. A single can (80 g) contains more than 60 ml of moisture.
• Add water or churu water to the food — mix a little lukewarm water into dry food gradually to get them used to it.
• Refresh the water often — once or twice a day. Cats refuse water that isn't fresh.
• Try a different bowl material — some cats dislike the smell of plastic. Switch to ceramic or stainless steel.

Signs it's time to see a vet

On the flip side, a sudden increase in drinking (sustained intake of more than 100 ml per kg of body weight) is also a warning sign. It can be an early symptom of kidney disease, diabetes, or hyperthyroidism. If a change in water intake continues for more than a week — especially in a cat over 7 years old — it's safest to have a blood test done.