why does my kitten drink no water?

Question

I have two kittens both about 3 or 4 months old. One of them will happily drink lots of water while the other drinks none whatsoever. Only one account i have seen her drink dirty rainw ater from the garden, she has not continued this. Often when she gets excited she starts to suck my other kittens tummy in hope of milk, i think she may still long for milk instead of water but i know it is no longer suitable for her at her age. Please help.

Answer 1

It seems you allow your cats outside which means she could be getting liquid and you don't know about it. Some cats require more than others. I have three cats and one of them never drinks water. It is always out but she seems to get enough water from the food she eats. Keep a close watch to make sure there are no other signs of distress or lethargy. If she seems o.k. in every other way then you don't need to worry. I would ask that you make sure there is always a bowl of fresh water out where your cats can easily drink from it. Drinking dirty water could cause them all kinds of stomach problems and even disease. I would love to see you keep them inside. Cats who are indoor cats live a much longer and happier life then those allowed outside. There are too many predators as well as cars and kittens especially don't know what to watch out for. As for her trying to suck on the other kitty, that is not because she is looking for milk but because she has been taken away from her mother too soon. She wasn't ready to leave yet and she still wants to suckle for comfort. She will grow out of that eventually or she may suck on other things like the corner of a blanket or sweater or something. When you see her do that, just pick her up and cuddle her. Good luck with your babies.

Answer 2

I have had several cats over the years and noticed that out of all of them only one or two have ever been witnessed drinking water.

Like any living animal, they do need water, but also being more a night time animal than a day time you may just not have seen your kitty drinking.

If you are worried about your kitty getting dehydrated there is simple guideline test you can try. First, get the kitty that is drinking alot ... pinch up about an inch of skin at the shoulder blades and time how fast it takes for it to smooth out (it should be quick), do the same for the kitty pretending to be a camel, if it is the same or close then your kitty is probably fine.

Now, just because your kitty is not drinking doesn't mean it is the one with the problem ... if your kitty that is drinking alot of water, like it seems camped out at the water bowl, you might consider a wellness check for both your kitties at the vet.

Too much drinking and too little drinking can be signs of more serious underlying concerns ... if in doubt check with a vet is the best advice I can offer.

Answer 3

It must be getting some sort of water if it's still healthy and playful. But I'd ask the vet about it. I know they make a kitten milk, my friends just got a kitty that's 8 weeks old, she's drinking the kitten milk. Perhaps get some of that, read the label and see how young the cats have to be in order to drink it.

Answer 4

I have a couple of ideas for you.

First of all, I used to have a cat who would ONLY drink running water from the faucet. Maybe she's picky like that, turn a faucet on just a trickle and see if she drinks from it. If she's that sort of kitty, they have water dishes that are like fountains now, she'll probably like one of those and drink from it.

Second, if it is really the milk that she's wanting, whiskas has a product called catmilk, which is a milk-based drink for cats that is 98% lactose reduced, so that they can digest it. It's sold in grocery stores, usually near the cat treats.

My kitten's 5 months old now, but I still give him catmilk every once in a while (just a tiny bit) as a treat. He likes it.

Answer 5

I have several cats and I rarely see any of them drink, but they do. I assure you, the kitten is drinking more water than you think or it would be dead. At 3-4 months, they no longer need any kind of milk, and cats are lactose intolerant, so cow's milk is not a good idea.
Kittens ofter try and nurse on other kittens or cats. It is a behavorial thing more than a nutritional thing.

Answer 6

If you feed her wet food she may not need water

Cats were originally desert animals and don't all drink water

I had a cat who never drank any water and was fine

put out a saucer of goats milk or little bit of plain yogurt possibly

If the kitten is active and has alot of energy and is not losing weight don't worry about it much, that's likely all any honest vet will tell you

Answer 7

Oh yes my kitten is 4 months old and took him a while to drink water. It's normal.

Answer 8

Feed her canned cat food to make sure she's getting enough moisture in her diet, in the meantime try using different ways to offer her water, such as a water fountain, different bowls and dishes, etc. Iff that doesn't work, ask the vet.

As for the nursing behavior, some cats just never outgrow the desire to nurse and try to nurse on other cats, people, pillows, sweaters and even themselves (oh yes, I once had a cat that nursed herself. It was bizarre and had even the vet flummoxed!) Gently discourage when you see the behavior, but I wouldn't worry about it too much as long as she's not hurting herself or the other cat.

Answer 9

my cat would not drink water the two, he has milk yet we pass away water down component is cats do no longer tend to work out water and did you recognize they are able to scent the chemical ingredients in our water it somewhat is why they tend to drink rain water, my dogs won't touch faucet water the two. attempt filtered water and coach him it is in the bowl, he will drink whilst he's waiting (asserting that my cat nonetheless refuses and beverages rain water) unfortunatly some cats do exactly in contrast to water. in line with threat attempt cat milk and ensure he has a drink in any respect situations if he has dry foodstuff. wish this facilitates

Answer 10

it sounds like she still wants her mother's milk. try buying some replacement cat milk at the store and let her drink it. ABSOLUTELY NO COW MILK. add some milk to the water and see if she drinks it. dont let her drink dirty water you dont know wats been in there.