Can kittens drink tap water

Can Kittens Drink Water How To Encourage Proper Hydration

What Age Can Kittens Drink Water?

Kittens rely on their mothers milk for the proper nutrition and hydration during the first 4-5 weeks of their life. As they start to get older, they will gradually transition from moms milk to water as their primary means of staying hydrated.

It is important that you allow your kitten to transition from mothers milk to water at their own pace. This will ensure that they are staying properly hydrated as they adjust to water as their main source of hydration.

This post will discuss when kittens can start drinking water as well as sharing some tips on how to ensure they are staying hydrated.

When Do Kittens Start Drinking Water?

Kittens usually start drinking water once they are approximately a month old and ready to begin weaning. Weaning is the process of a kitten slowly adjusting to a source of food and water other than their mothers milk.

It is important to understand that cats dont just switch from their mothers milk to water overnight. It is a slow process and some kittens may transition faster or slower than others in their litter. Be patient with them and let them move at a comfortable pace.

Tips To Keep Them Hydrated

If you are concerned that your kitten is not staying hydrated, there are some steps you can take to help encourage them to drink more water. Proper hydration is essential for a growing kitten to stay healthy as it affects their health in many different ways.

1. Keep The Water Fresh

Dirty water that has been sitting for multiple days is one of the main reasons that cats will not drink enough of it. It is easy to set a water bowl and forget about it, but cats are extremely picky creatures and will not put up with sub-par water.

Imagine if your only choice was to drink some water that had been sitting in a dish on the floor collecting dust for three days. I am sure that you wouldnt exactly been thrilled about drinking it either.

Your kitten will greatly appreciate having fresh water in their bowl every single day will. Hydration is essential for the growth and overall health of a young kitten. You should take any step to ensure that they are encouraged to drink enough water each and every day.

2. Provide Multiple Water Dishes

Having multiple water dishes in various locations around the house is a tactic that we have found works really well for us. The more times that your kitten sees a water dish, the more likely they are to be reminded that they should drink some water.

If you only have one water dish, the odds that your kitten will see it and remember to drink is extremely low. They are also not going to feel inclined to walk to the other side of the house just for a drink of water. It helps to think like a kitten sometimes!

3. Add Wet Food To The Diet

Another great way to help keep your kitten hydrated is by adding wet food to their diet. Although wet food is not a replacement for drinking water, it is a great supplement to increase their overall water consumption.

Along with increasing hydration, wet food is high in protein compared to the dry kibble that kittens normally eat. We recommend adding wet food to your kittens diets as it benefits their overall health by improving nutrition and increasing hydration.

4. Water Dish Location

The placement of your kittens water dishes is an important and often overlooked aspect of keeping them hydrated. If their water dish is in close proximity to a litter box or their food, this may be the reason they are not getting enough water.

There is no situation in which a kittens water dish should be close to the litter box. Having water too close to the litter box increases the risk of harmful bacteria contaminating the water dish. Their natural instincts will prevent them from touching contaminated water.

If you have the water too close to food that has a strong scent, this may also prevent your kitten from drinking. Water should be placed in a welcoming spot that is away from anything that may discourage your kitten from having a drink.

5. Get A Cat Fountain

There is a possibility that your kitten just isnt a fan of still water. This makes sense as cats in the wild learned to find running water to drink from. Still water is much more likely to become contaminated and lead to illness.

There are many different options to choose from if you want a cat fountain to provide running water for your cat. Having a water fountain is beneficial as you can be confident the your kitten is always getting fresh water. It is at least worth trying out if your cat isnt responding to any of the other tactics.

How Much Water Should A Kitten Drink?

Kittens should drink enough water every day that they do not show signs of dehydration. It is difficult to measure the amount of water your cat drinks at they often just have bowls filled around the house. The important part is making sure they are drinking enough that they are not having any negative health consequences.

Should I Give My Kitten Tap Water?

You can give your kitten tap water as long as your tap water has quality water. A rule of thumb that I like to use is only giving a kitten water that I would also drink out of the tap. Otherwise, it would be wise to use filtered water to make sure that your kitten is getting clean water.

How Can You Tell If A Kitten Is Dehydrated?

If a kitten is dehydrated, you should notice signs that indicate they are not drinking enough water each day. These signs include poor appetite, low energy, dry mouth, loss of appetite, as well as overall poor health. If you suspect your kitten is not getting enough hydration, you should consult a veterinarian immediately.

Related

How much water should a kitten drink?

Have you ever wondered how much water your cat should be drinking? If you have recently got a new kitten you may be particularly unsure as to whats normal and whats not! Lets explore a bit further about what you can expect.

What is normal for kittens?

Its first of all worth bearing in mind that each animal is individual. Factors like age and diet can play a part in how much fluid they need to take on board. One other thing to note is that cats are descended from desert animals and are therefore not known to be big drinkers generally.

The average amount of water an adult cat requires per 24 hours is 50 60 ml of water per kilogram of bodyweight. So a 4kg cat would need approximately 200 240 ml of water per day. You may find your cat drinks less than this if they are on a predominantly wet food diet, which has a high water/moisture content. Equally, you might find they drink a bit more than this if they are on dry food.

The amount of water a kitten drinks depends on their age. Very young kittens will get most of their fluid from their mothers milk and wont need anything else. Weaned kittens will need fresh water to drink.

4-week-old kittens

At around 4 weeks of age, kittens start exploring with food. Up until this point, they will be getting all of their nutrition from their mothers milk. Kittens may start to lap at water (or play with it!) but will still be getting most of their fluid from milk.

8-week-old kittens

At around 8 weeks most kittens will wean themselves off of their mother. Many kittens go to their new home from around this time. Its not uncommon for some kittens to continue suckling for a little longer though in some cases, all the while their mother is tolerating them. However, biologically, most kittens should be fine with just food and water by this point.

12-week-old kittens

Kittens are completely weaned at this age and will be getting all of their nutrition from a complete kitten diet and fresh water.

It is not necessary to give kitten milk to kittens that are fully weaned from their mother. These products, which can be bought from many pet shops and supermarkets, should just be used as an occasional treat. You definitely shouldnt give kitten milk in place of fresh water.

How can I encourage my kitten to drink?

Most kittens and adult cats will be able to self regulate how much fluid they need, so all you need to do is to ensure there is a constant supply of clean water. Cats should be allowed to drink whenever they want to and have access to water at all times.

Some cats will prefer drinking out of one type of bowl over another. So if you are worried that your cat isnt drinking much consider trying a different type of bowls. You could perhaps try porcelain instead of metal or plastic, or vice versa.

Generally, a wide flat dish with plenty of space for their whiskers is best. Some cats will drink more from a source of moving/running water, for many cats, this is as simple as a dripping tap. You can get water fountains specifically for cats if you prefer, with a constant flow of water for them to lap up.

As your kitten gets older and ventures outside, you may not be able to monitor how much they are drinking at all. Many cats will start to drink from puddles, ponds and other sources of water in preference to tap water indoors. Cats seem to enjoy the taste of rainwater!

What if my kitten is poorly?

Most of the time you shouldnt have to worry too much about your cats fluid intake unless they are showing signs of ill-health. If your kitten or adult cat becomes unwell they may stop drinking and might be losing fluids through diarrhoea and vomiting. If this occurs you should speak to your veterinarian as dehydration could occur, particularly in very young animals.

Signs of severe dehydration include lethargy, sunken eyes, loss of skin elasticity (skin doesnt spring back when lightly pinched), decreased urination and inappetence. Cats can also on occasion go the other way and drink to excess if there are underlying health conditions. Particularly those affecting the kidneys and blood sugar levels.

Summary

You shouldnt need to overly worry about how much your kitten is drinking as long as they are bright and well. Just make sure you are providing them with free access to clean, fresh water. However, if your cat is showing any signs of ill health or you notice a change in its behaviour, then call your vet for some advice.

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Can Cats Drink Tap Water? Vet Approved Facts & FAQ

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

Learn more

As humans, we have so many options when it comes to what to drink each day. Coffee for breakfast (or all day), juice, soda, milk, or even adult beverages are all on the menu. Cats, however, generally only get one drink choice: water.

Even water comes with options, though, and cat owners may wonder which is best for their beloved pet. For example, can cats drink tap water? Cats can typically drink any plain water thats safe for humans, including tap water.

In this article, well discuss why drinking tap water is safe for your cat and the importance of adequate hydration for your cats health. Well also give you some tips on increasing your cats water intake.

Why Tap Water Is Safe for Cats

All tap water consumed by humans must be treated and filtered to ensure it is safe. This process is designed to remove impurities, chemicals, or dangerous bacteria that could be present in the water. In the U.S., the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets and enforces safety standards for tap water.

Tap water that is safe for humans is also safe for cats and even contains beneficial minerals. Some people prefer to further filter their tap water with a home system, increasing its purity and safety level.

While many people may believe that bottled water is safer and healthier than tap water, thats not necessarily the case. Bottled water and tap water are both held to similar safety standards. In fact, some of the most well-known bottled water brands are just tap water, slightly more purified.

How Much Water Should a Cat Drink?

Cats should drink about 3.5 to 4.5 ounces of water per 5 pounds of body weight each day. So, a 10-pound cat would need between 7 to 9 ounces, or right around one cup of water daily. Cats who dont drink enough water may become dehydrated, especially if they are also suffering from other medical conditions like diarrhea or a fever.

In the wild, cats get most of their water from their food, but the dry kibble eaten by most house cats doesnt provide enough moisture to keep them hydrated. Because their ancestral wild cats didnt need to drink much water, domestic cats have less drive to drink than dogs. Those with any underlying health concerns may need to change to wet food or water additives to encourage adequate water intake.

Not drinking enough water contributes heavily to feline urinary problems like bladder stones, infections, and cystitis. Cat owners, especially those whose cats suffer from these issues, may need to take steps to increase their cats water intake. Well talk about some of those steps next.

Top 5 Tips to Increase Your Cats Water Intake

1. Switch to Canned Food

One simple step you can take to increase your cats water intake is to switch them from dry to canned food. Your vet can help you choose a quality option. You may need to try several different textures to find one your cat enjoys.

Make any food changes gradually to avoid upsetting your cats stomach. If your cat refuses to eat the new food, dont push them. Not eating, even for just a few days, puts your cat at risk of developing a life-threatening condition called hepatic lipidosis.

2. Add Water to Dry Food

If your cat doesnt like canned food (or it doesnt fit into your budget!), another option is to add water to their dry food. Because some cats can be picky about their food texture, start by adding a small amount of water and gradually increase to allow the kitty time to adjust to the moistened kibble.

3. Use Multiple Water Bowls

Place multiple water bowls around the house so your cat always has a convenient water source. Putting a water bowl next to the food bowl may seem sensible, but actually, cats prefer the water bowl to be away from their food bowl and litter tray. Try different sizes, shapes, and materials of water bowls to see if your cat prefers one in particular. Often, cats will even enjoy drinking from a glass on your bedside table!

4. Try a Cat Water Fountain

Many cats enjoy drinking moving water, so you could try letting a faucet drip, although this is not the most eco-conscious option. A better choice might be to purchase a cat water fountain. Make sure the fountain and filter are cleaned regularly.

Not every cat water fountain will make your life easier. This is why we recommend the well-designed Hepper Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain, which has advanced triple filtration, three different flow modes, and an automatic shutoff feature.

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5. Flavor the Water

Adding a bit of flavor to some of your cats water may help them drink more. Clam juice, tuna juice, or broth are all possible options. Make sure you check with your vet first to make sure its safe for your cat to drink these extras. Cat-safe broths and water additives are available.

Also, check the ingredients of any human broth you use to make sure its free of garlic and onions, which are toxic to cats. Many prepared broths are also very high in salt, which isnt healthy for most cats. Just make sure they are managing to also ingest some regular, clean water as well during the day.

Conclusion

Water is essential for life, both human and feline. Luckily, you dont have to spend extra just to keep your cat hydrated. Tap water is a safe option available right out of your faucet. Along with eating a balanced diet, drinking enough water is key to maintaining your cats health. If youre worried about your cats water intake, try some of the tips we discussed, and be sure to discuss your concerns with your veterinarian.

Featured Image Credit: rihaij, Pixabay