How to Keep Your Cat Hydrated

Why is it so important to keep your cat hydrated?

All animals, whether we are talking about cats, dogs or even people, need water to survive. Water is, by far, the most important nutrient. While most healthy cats are able to meet their hydration needs by eating their food and drinking from the water sources available to them, making sure that your cat is properly hydrated is incredibly important. Proper hydration helps to prevent and treat many common diseases that affect cats, including obesity, chronic kidney stones, bladder stones and idiopathic cystitis. It is absolutely necessary for your cat to drink enough water, whether they have one of these conditions or not. That’s why our veterinarian in North Bellmore has come up with the following list of tips:

#1. Try feeding your cat canned food.

If your cat has been eating a diet of dry food alone, you can easily get your cat to consume more water by switching to canned cat food. While dry cat foods only contain about 10% moisture, canned cat foods generally contain about 75-80% moisture. You can even add more water to the can to help increase your cat’s water intake. If you can’t afford to feed them a diet of just canned food, try incorporating both dry food and canned food into their diet. Keep in mind that diets high in water content are best for cats that need to lose weight, so if you need to incorporate dry food into their diet, don’t overdo it!

We have just a couple more tips to help you keep your car properly hydrated. Stay tuned for our next blog to learn more!

Proper water intake is key for a healthy cat. 

Cats need to be properly hydrated in order to stay healthy, and drinking plenty of water can also help to both treat and prevent many common feline diseases. In our latest blog, our veterinary clinic in Levittown talked about one of the ways you can increase your cat’s water intake. So, if you haven’t had a chance to read it yet, check it out! Keep reading to learn about a couple more things you can do to keep your cat properly hydrated:

#2. Keep several sources of clean, fresh water available for your cat at all times. 

Because water is so important for your cat, you should make it as easy as possible for your cat to find a drink. It’s always a good idea to have multiple sources of water available for your cat. Keep in mind that some cats prefer specific containers for their water (like deep bowls rather than shallow ones). Your cat may also prefer to drink in a particular location, or they could prefer water that is running, like from a water fountain or a dripping faucet. Give your cat plenty of options for water, and make sure that you refresh their water often.

#3. Talk to your veterinarian about giving your cat subcutaneous fluids. 

If your cat can’t meet their hydration needs on their own, you may have to give them fluid under their skin. Giving your cat subcutaneous fluids is much easier than you probably think, but you should always ask your veterinarian before attempting this procedure.

Do you have questions or concerns about your cat’s hydration needs? Contact us! We are always happy to help.