Should I Be Concerned My Cat Is Drinking A Lot Of Water?
Does your cat seem to drink a lot of water? Have you noticed that excessive thirst is a symptom for a lot of health problems? Have you wondered what excessive thirst means?
How Much Water Does My Cat Need?
There is a general rule is: for every five pounds that your cat weighs, they should consume at least 3 ounces of water. Remember, this includes any water that they may consume in treats or canned food.
| Weight | Amount of Water |
| 5 pounds | 3 ounces |
| 10 pounds | 6 ounces |
| 15 pounds | 9 ounces |
| 20 pounds | 12 ounces |
| 25 pounds | 15 ounces |
This is a general rule. Obviously, if it is hot or if your cat is very active, they may drink more water because they are losing more water.
Why Is My Cat Drinking So Much?
There are a number of reasons why your cat’s water intake may have increased.
Weather and hot temperatures can temporarily increase your cat’s thirst. They may also drink more water if they are being extra active.
Some medications prescribed by your vet may cause your cat to be thirsty more often. A change in their cat food could also cause a change in their drinking habits.
Lastly, an increase in drinking can be caused by a variety of medical problems. Most of these medical problems will also include a number of other symptoms, consult your veterinarian as to whether or not you need to worry.
In some cases, your cat could have a bigger health issue such as kidney disease, liver disease, hyperthyroidism, or diabetes. If you see changes in your cat’s drinking habits along with additional symptoms tied to these diseases, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with one of our veterinarians.
Kidney Disease
Kidney disease has many different causes. Your vet can help you determine if your cat has kidney disease. Kidney disease is not curable, but it can be managed. A common treatment is IV fluids.
Other symptoms to look for include:
- Increased urination
- Dehydration
- Sores in the mouth
- Foul breath
- Weight loss
- Decreased appetite
- Fever
- Decreased activity
- Urinary incontinence and accidents
- Inability to urinate
- Back pain
- Seizures
Liver Disease
Other symptoms to look for include:
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin, eyes, and mucous membranes)
- Swelling of the abdomen
- Lethargy
- Changes in appetite
- Excessive urination
- Weight loss
- Bleeding disorders
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Hyperthyroidism
Other symptoms to look for include:
- Weight loss
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Increased appetite
- Increased urination
- Hyperactivity
- Matted fur
- Unkempt coat
- Lack of self-grooming
- Increased vocalization (meowing)
Diabetes
Diabetes is a common health problem that can cause an increase in drinking. Other symptoms of diabetes include:
- Loss of appetite
- Frequent urination
- Unexplained weight loss
- Weak
- Lethargic
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
When Do I Need To See the Vet?
You should call your vet if your cat’s excessive thirst continues or if additional signs accompany the excessive thirst. With many of the medical issues listed above, it is important to get started on treatment as soon as possible.
Your vet may need to keep your cat for an extended period while they run blood tests and other tests. What tests they need will depend on what symptoms your cat has. They may run multiple tests in order to remove possibilities from the list.
Our Urgent Care Animal Hospital in Milwaukee, WI, is Here If Your Cat is Dehydrated
If your cat suffering from dehydration, please reach out to our Milwaukee, WI, urgent care vets immediately at (262) 226-2055.