Water is essential for every living creature, and our beloved pets are no exception. Without an adequate amount of fluid in their bodies, pets can experience disruptions and become ill. Therefore, every pet owner's task is to know approximately how much water their animal should drink and to monitor whether they are drinking enough.

The body of a pet is composed of about 70% water. It helps remove toxins from the body, facilitates the transport of oxygen to internal organs, plays a role in regulating body temperature, transports nutrients throughout the body, and much more.

Water for Cats

Cats consume much less water compared to dogs. Consequently, it's crucial to keep an eye on whether they adhere to a proper water regimen.

Scientists believe that cats consume so little water not out of stubbornness but because it has evolved historically. Cats' desert-dwelling ancestors lived in hot regions. They hunted other animals and obtained moisture from raw meat, and the high temperatures and dry climate contributed to their ability to concentrate urine. Now, in comfortable home conditions where the need for survival has diminished, a lack of water in cats' bodies can lead to urinary tract problems.

So, how much water does a cat need to drink daily to stay healthy? On average, it's about 40-50 ml of liquid per 1 kg of weight. This means that an adult cat weighing 5 kg will need to drink around 200 ml of water.

Several factors influence whether a cat will drink enough water:

  • Room temperature and humidity levels;
  • Type of diet (whether the pet is on dry food, wet food, or homemade meals);
  • Activity level;
  • Health condition or physiological status.

Certainly, if your cat is fed dry kibble, they will need to drink much more water than if they regularly consume wet food and/or homemade meals. With a diet of wet food, a pet needs just 150 ml of clean water per day.

Kittens require more water to support growth and normal development than adult cats. Senior cats also need to be supplied with moisture intensively because, as they age, their cells have a harder time retaining intracellular fluid.

How can you tell if your cat is not getting enough water?

  • The animal becomes lethargic, sluggish, and apathetic;
  • Saliva becomes sticky;
  • Skin becomes dry and flaky;
  • Urine takes on a saturated color and has a strong odor.

Water for Dogs

Just like cats, dogs need to maintain a proper water balance in their bodies. While an animal can survive without food for a week or two, it will perish within a few days without water!

The amount of water a dog should drink largely depends on the size of the pet. Puppies drink more than adult dogs, and large dogs need to consume more water than small breed dogs. On average, the daily water intake should be around 60% of the pet's weight.

Dogs require more water in the following cases:

  • If they lead an active lifestyle, such as running, jumping, or engaging in energetic games.
  • If you actively train your pet (bring a water bottle for your pet during training sessions).
  • If your dog is in hot climatic conditions.
  • If your dog is on dry kibble rather than canned food or homemade meals.

During hot summer weather, it's necessary to bring water for your pet not only when traveling but also on walks. Providing water to your pet outside the home is most convenient with a special travel water bottle.

How can you tell if a dog is suffering from dehydration?

  • The skin becomes dry and flaky.
  • The pet's excretions have a strong odor.
  • The color of the urine becomes concentrated and not transparent.
  • The eyes become dull and lose their luster.
  • The dog becomes lethargic and apathetic.

Fighting Dehydration or How to Get Your Pet to Maintain a Water Regimen

What kind of water should not be given to dogs and cats?

  • Do not allow pets to drink water from the toilet. If you notice that your dog or cat tends to use the toilet bowl as a water source, make sure the lid is always closed. Toilet water can be contaminated with bacteria, which can lead to dangerous illnesses.
  • Water that is too hard. It's better to replace low-quality tap water with bottled quality water or filtered water.
  • Water from puddles, stagnant ponds, or rivers can be contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms. Make sure your pet does not drink from such sources during walks.
  • Water from dirty bowls – bacteria may have already multiplied there. Most likely, they have significantly altered the taste and smell of the water, causing your pet to approach the water bowl less often.

What water is suitable for cats and dogs?

  • The best option is bottled quality water / well-settled tap water / filtered water.
  • Second best is clean tap water, even though it contains many impurities and additives.
  • In third place is boiled water. Boiling water removes almost all its beneficial properties and can also have a negative effect on the enamel of a dog's teeth.

In most cases, cats and dogs need to be encouraged to drink more water. How to stimulate your pet to drink more?

  • For cats, pour water into a wide glass or ceramic bowl so that the whiskers do not touch the edges of the bowl – this can irritate the animal. Metal dishes can reflect light, which may deter the cat, so it's better not to use them.
  • If your dog has a beautiful, stylish water dish made of wood, plastic, or ceramic, be aware that microcracks may form in such dishes, where bacteria can settle. When they multiply, they can affect the quality (taste, smell) of the water, causing your pet to refuse to drink. This doesn't mean you need to permanently abandon dishes made of such materials, just that you'll need to wash them more frequently and replace them more often. As for stainless steel dishes – this option is the most acceptable for dogs.
  • If your cat or dog likes to play by tipping over the bowl, it's best to consider purchasing a heavier dish (e.g., ceramic) to prevent water from splashing or spilling.
  • You can try installing a drinking fountain – for some cats, this arouses curiosity.
  • Sometimes fluffy pets like to taste tap water from the faucet, so just watch to see if yours does.
  • There should always be clean, fresh water in the bowl, no matter when your pet approaches it.
  • Adjust the temperature of the water – and observe your pet's reaction.
  • Change the location of the water dish. Perhaps it's worth putting the water dish a little higher?
  • Try adding some food to the water dish to pique your pet's interest, but you'll need to change the water in the bowl more often. You can add 1-2 tablespoons of milk or liver broth, 1 tablespoon of tuna juice (in its own juice), or try other similar tricks.
  • Place several separate bowls with different types of water (tap water, bottled water, filtered, or settled) side by side and observe which one your pet drinks from more often.

 

Useful Tips for Cat and Dog Owners

What should you do if your pet isn't drinking water at all (especially when it comes to cats)? Consult a veterinarian. It's possible that your pet has health issues (poisoning, kidney failure, urolithiasis, diabetes, etc.). In such cases, you may need to give your beloved pet water with a small spoon or syringe.

By the way, did you know that if your pet, on the contrary, overindulges in drinking water, it's not very good either and signals potential health problems (excessive thirst can indicate the development of conditions such as diabetes, thyroid issues, and more). Additionally, along with expelling excess water from the body, essential minerals for your pet's health will also be washed out. In such a case, too, it's necessary to consult an experienced veterinarian.

Dogs often lose a lot of fluid due to evaporation from their tongue. This happens when a dog's mouth is open, often due to thirst. Keep an eye on your furry friend's condition, and as a precaution, carry a water bottle with you.

In hot weather, never leave your beloved pet in a car. Many animals cannot tolerate heat and often die, sometimes due to dehydration, while waiting for their owner to return.

When you're not at home, be sure to leave fresh water in your pet's bowl.

When walking your dog in a muzzle during hot weather, pay attention to whether this accessory allows your pet to cool down and if it's getting enough oxygen. For scorching summer days, consider getting a more open, breathable muzzle.

So now you know that it's crucial for a cat to get more vital fluids for normal living. A dehydrated cat's body will suffer much more than a dehydrated dog's. The symptoms of dehydration in a cat only appear on the 5th to 7th day, while a dog can easily restore its water balance in just 1 day.

Furthermore, a cat's body has a much harder time cooling down in high ambient temperatures compared to a dog.

The risk of urolithiasis is higher among feline animals, and it increases primarily due to insufficient water intake. This condition is characterized by the formation of stones, which almost always require surgical removal. Therefore, monitoring your pet's water intake is extremely important!