help me! My cat is not drinking much?

Question

i got my cat last year he was 6months.
i don't no much about cats but my cat never drinks i put his water down and he don't ever drink it the bowl gets dirty so me or mum don't brother putting any water down but he eats a lot i have tryed putting water in with his wet food but then he would not eat it can u all help my cute little cat Olly?

Answer 1

Be sure your cat is healthy by taking him to the vet and having him checked, and vaccinated, also get him neutered, you should do this because you love him and want to keep him healthy. (If you're worried about the cost, a lot of places will help you pay for it and your vet can put you in contact with those services). After that, if your kitty checks out okay, there's not much to worry about. If you feed mostly canned food you may not notice him drinking much water because he is getting water from his food. It is very important that he always has FRESH water in a sparkling clean bowl, use a ceramic or glass bowl for both water and a glass plate for his food, plastic can cause cats to get chin acne. Be sure your cats food and water is in a easily accessible area for him without high traffic or interference from other animals or pets and it is no where near where he uses the litter box. Cats are very clean and will not eat near their bathroom area.
If you do what I have recommended, then the problem will be solved.
For other information and in order to be a good cat owner, go on line and start looking up information on cat care. Cats are the best animals and if you treat them right and take them to the vet to keep them healthy, they will live for years and give you more happiness than you can just about get from any where else for the time or money spent.
PS I have notice people on here telling you to give your cat milk and that you should be feeding canned cat food. First, don't ever give your cat regular cows milk or any other kind of milk that is not made specifically for cats, it can give them diarrhea. Secondly, you don't have to give your cat canned food every day, cats and dogs do best with a good brand dry food. BTW, if your cat had diabetis, it would be drinking more water, not less. And don't give him toilet water. You could try bottled water or getting one of those fountains but give the above a try first.

Answer 2

I have got the same problem with my cat, but as soon as I open the tap and let some water run, she pushes me aside and starts to drink like she has been in the desert. She also likes drinking water out of vases. If this doesn't work you can always try to mix in a bit of milk with her water. And do refresh the bowl, every day or so, she might get used to there being water in it for her, and will start drinking from it, but would you drink from a dirty bowl?
Good luck with it!

Answer 3

My cat harry didnt drink out of his water bowl much at all, mainly it was used for drowning daddylonglegs and spiders. What he does love however is to wait until i water my plants and then he will drink from the saucer under the pot. Cats dont like tap water i have now discovered he will drink a little from his bowl if i use filtered water. Fussy little monkeys!

Answer 4

Your cat probably has been drinking from the toilet, leaky faucets or bathtub spigots or from the water containers at the bottom of potted plants, etc. Some cats will drink from their water bowls and some won't as long as they can find other options -- it's just how they are. It sounds like your cat is otherwise healthy, so I wouldn't worry about his water intake anymore.

Answer 5

Cats don't like the smell of the chemicals in the water. They will go looking for a container that holds rain water or puddles. The dirtier the water the better for some cats. I'm sure he's getting his fluids from somewhere as you would notice him looking dehydrated and he would have dandruff.

Answer 6

Cats get most of there water intake from the food they eat. I would keep putting the water down if I was you so if your cat does need a drink then he can get it easy. If you are worried then maybe you should ask a vet for advise.

Answer 7

Your cat is completely normal.My cat likes to drink out the puddles,any rainwater.Occasionally my cat will have some milk.But yes if you don't notice your cat drinking much it is because it is drinking outside.I still put the water down even though it doesn't get touched.It makes me feel better.A weird thing as well,the juices from the meat provide liquid juice.

Answer 8

if it's going outside or has access to the toilet bowl it is drinking and you just don't get to see it, if there is a chance it is drinking from the toilet keep the lid down and leave some water in the sink instead the cat is fine drinking from the toilet bowl but YOU arent as the germs on it's feet effect you not them

Answer 9

cats like running water to drink, like the faucet being on just a trickle in the bathroom. I have 7 cats, last year they all stopped drinking city tap water, the problem was too much chlorine in the water, smelled like a swimming pool. we didn't drink it either. got bottled "nursery water" at the grocery store and filled a small table top fountain for them. they just love it. just make sure the fountain is cleaned. They do sell cat watering fountains at places like petsmart and petco. good investment, better than kitty getting a urinary tract infection, and cheaper than vet bills. would be a good idea to take kitty to vet too, just to rule out diabetes

Answer 10

My cat drinks from puddles outside dripping taps and I give him wet cat food, he never drinks from the bowl. Cats also get moisture from grass. Don't worry he is drinking or he would be dead check if its nose is wet and tongue is light pink that is a good sign as well. Cats are very independent so don't worry.