Keeping Cats Hydrated: Vet Tips for Water Avoidant Felines 2025 🐱✨

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

Many cats don’t drink enough water—and that’s not just a quirk. It’s a biological holdover from their desert ancestors. Unfortunately, chronic dehydration contributes to urinary issues, kidney disease, and constipation. But with the right natural strategy, your cat can get all the hydration they need.

I’m Dr. Duncan Houston, veterinarian and founder of Ask A Vet. Here’s how to keep your cat hydrated using moisture-rich meals, feline-friendly fluids, and easy environment changes that really work.

🚱 Why Cats Don’t Drink Much Water

• They evolved from desert hunters, naturally low thirst drive
• Kibble has only 7–10% moisture vs. 70–80% in prey
• They prefer running water, fresh bowls, and quiet locations

✅ Natural Ways to Keep Your Cat Hydrated

1. Feed Moisture-Rich Food

• Raw, wet, or gently cooked meals are ideal (60–80% moisture)
• Even small amounts of added water make a difference

2. Add Hydrating Toppers

• Goat milk: Rich in electrolytes, gentle on digestion
• Bone broth (unsalted): High in glycine and hydration support
• Water from canned sardines (in water, no salt): Boosts flavor and fluid

3. Use a Cat Water Fountain

• Encourages drinking through movement and freshness
• Clean the filter weekly—cats are sensitive to smell/taste changes

4. Offer Multiple Water Stations

• Place bowls in different quiet areas (not near litter or food)
• Use ceramic, glass, or stainless steel—not plastic

📋 Sample Daily Hydration Plan

• AM Meal: 50g cooked turkey + 1 tsp bone broth
• Noon Snack: 1 tbsp goat milk or sardine water
• PM Meal: 50g wet food + 2 tbsp added water + probiotic

🧠 Tips to Boost Water Intake Subtly

• Add 1–2 tsp of water at a time to food—gradually increase over days
• Use warming (not boiling) water to enhance food aroma
• Let your cat watch you pour water—some find it engaging

🛑 What to Avoid

• Forcing plain water with a syringe unless directed by a vet
• Relying solely on dry food—causes long-term dehydration risk
• Plastic bowls (can leach odors or bacteria that deter drinking)

🔗 Tools from & Ask A Vet

• Ask A Vet – Upload your cat’s hydration log, urine updates, and diet to get a vet-guided hydration strategy

📋 Summary Excerpt

Hydration in cats is essential—but it takes more than a water bowl. A vet explains how to naturally increase your cat’s water intake with wet food, broth, and hydration-friendly feeding habits.

❓ FAQs

• Q: How much water should my cat drink?
  A: About 50–60 ml per kg of body weight daily, including water from food. A 5kg cat needs ~250–300ml/day.
• Q: What if my cat refuses wet food?
  A: Try warming it slightly, mixing in broth, or slowly transitioning textures/flavors over a week.
• Q: Is milk okay for hydration?
  A: Cow’s milk can cause digestive upset. Goat milk or specialty cat milk is safer and beneficial in small amounts.