How to Get a Kitten to Drink Water
Cat owners are, at times, concerned that their pets don't seem to drink enough water. Usually the cat is getting enough fluids, but it's not as easy to tell as it is with dogs' water consumption. The method of lapping is different, too, as it is rolled beneath the tongue and less obvious when taken in. Cats get some of their fluids from wet food, although they generally benefit from drinking additional water. This helps prevent the urinary tract problems that cats are prone to. Kittens may not obviously be drinking at all, and tend to learn more slowly how to drink than when they master eating. There are effective methods to achieve success, however.
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Things You'll Need
- Measuring cup
- Dry kitten food
- Pet water fountain
- Cat greens
- Variety of bowls and saucers
Instructions
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Measuring your kitten's water intake is important. Measure the amount of water put into a kitten's bowl and note the time. After 24 hours, pour the remaining water back into the measuring cup. The difference between the two measurements should be the approximate amount the kitten drank. If it is very young, use a measuring cup showing very small increments.
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Kittens can dehydrate very fast because they are so small. Take your kitten to the veterinarian for a thorough examination. There may be a medical problem if it is dehydrated or not drinking--and kittens can very quickly dehydrate to the point of death. Also, the veterinarian can instruct you on the correct fluid amount a kitten needs at its current age and condition, so tell him the amount drank when you measured. If he finds the kitten healthy, just not drinking much, proceed as follows.
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Wet food is better for your kitten's main diet. Add canned food, if your cat only eats dry. This provides sufficient dietary water. If your kitten is already eating wet food, keep in mind that some fluid is derived from that--but is hard to see and measure. The Stanford Cat Network recommends a premium canned food diet, or raw diet for cats. Your kitten should eat some dry food as it cleans the teeth, but make wet food the diet mainstay.
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Kittens love to nibble plants; make sure plants are safe for cats. Plant some kitty greens. Cat-safe grass or catnip growing in a pot or two delights cats on many levels. Cats receive a little moisture from nibbling on the greens, and can lick the drops off the plants after watering. Also, providing a cat with its own greens will protect your houseplants from cat bites.
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Cats prefer gently running water. Buy a pet water fountain. This is one way to ensure a steady flow, however recycled, as cats generally don't like to drink still water. With access to fresh, running water, they will drink more. Choose the fountain carefully, considering factors such as filtering, noise level, and cleanliness. Some people leave a sink faucet at a trickle a few times each day, which cats enjoy, but an effective fountain allows filtered, aerated running water.
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Experiment to see what kind of dish your kitten prefers. Add several dishes of water in different locations, and try varying types of dishes. Some kittens prefer a shallow dish with little water, especially when first learning to drink. Others prefer a cup or bowl--and some become picky as to dish material among stainless steel, plastic or glass.
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Temporarily and lightly salting catfood is sometimes helpful. Sprinkle salt lightly on food to encourage drinking, especially if a cat is just learning to drink. Discontinue the salt once it gets the idea.
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Some cats don't like the chlorine smell of tap water. Serve filtered or bottled water, as cats are very sensitive to chemical odors and may not drink chlorinated tap water.
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Tips & Warnings
If a kitten is weaning from its mother and just starting to eat solid food, put a little water on your finger and in or near the kitten's mouth. Repeat several times a day, with the water dish right beside the kitten, until it gets the idea. Gently rub some water on its lips if you can't get its mouth open.
Do not pour water into your kitten's mouth, as this could cause choking or aspiration--which is liquid getting into the lungs. That can lead to pneumonia or even drowning.
Have the veterinarian show you how to give water to your kitten if you need to use an eye dropper or syringe.
Some wet foods and dry foods have an incorrect balance of minerals, which can cause urinary tract problems, so ask the veterinarian's advice about the best types to use.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit thirsty image by FotoWorx from Fotolia.com measuring cup image by Antonio Oquias from Fotolia.com kitten in shoe image by Stacey Lynn Payne from Fotolia.com meow at you! image by Gleb Semenjuk from Fotolia.com süßes kätzchen sucht schatten image by Burkert from Fotolia.com thirsty siamese cat in bathroom image by starush from Fotolia.com Cups and saucers in multiple colors. image by Saskia Massink from Fotolia.com Salt image by lefebvre_jonathan from Fotolia.com pouring water from a bottle image by ElsSh from Fotolia.com
