Hydration for Well being — Kitty Must Drink Up!

Does your cat shun the water bowl each time he walks previous it? Guaranteeing your cat is well-hydrated can show to be fairly a problem. However you understand your feline good friend must drink as much as keep wholesome.

“Satisfactory hydration is crucial to the vascular circulation of blood,” says Dr. Jamie Whittenburg, proprietor of Kingsgate Animal Hospital in Lubbock, Texas. “Blood circulation permits for the transport of necessary substances, oxygen and carbon dioxide by means of the physique.”

Water additionally performs a key function in ushering out physique waste, in regulating physique temperature and to behave as each a shock absorber and lubricant for the joints. Dehydration can set off seizures and harm kidneys. Backside line: With out water, a feline physique can’t perform.

Now comes the difficult half. How will you tempt your cat to step up his water consumption?

10 straightforward hydration methods

Catster reached out to some stellar feline consultants who share these tantalizing techniques:

1. Elevate water bowls. “Some cats want their bowls elevated in order that they don’t put pressure on their entrance legs as they lean over the bowl,” says Dr. Elizabeth Colleran, previous president of the American Affiliation of Feline Practitioners, who operates the cats-only Chico Hospital for Cats in Chico, California. “Older cats who’re prone to have osteoarthritis will not be capable of simply put a number of weight on their forelimbs.”
2. Dish up canned meals early on. “I encourage my shoppers to supply canned diets to their kittens early on in order that they acknowledge it as a meals,” says Dr. Kathryn Primm, proprietor of the Applebrook Animal Hospital in Ooltewah, Tennessee, and host of the 9 Lives with Dr. Kat podcast on Pet Life Radio. “Due to the excessive water content material, it’s a good suggestion to have a cat who will eat many varieties of canned meals.” Canned meals sometimes incorporates between 70 to 80% water.
3. Convey on the broth. “Many cats actually like the flavour of hen broth,” Dr. Colleran says. Bone broth, whether or not you make it or purchase it, is another choice. Simply be certain the broth doesn’t comprise onions or seasonings.
4. Pour water in vast bowls. “Cats depend on their whiskers as sensory organs to alert them to what’s round them,” says Kate Benjamin. Founding father of Hauspanther and co-
   writer of the New York Instances best-seller, Catification. “Cats don’t like the texture of their whiskers scrunched when making an attempt to drink water from a slim bowl. I be certain my cats have vast water bowls so there are not any whisker points.”
5. Take note of the water bowl’s location. Cats are fussy and don’t like having their water bowl positioned proper subsequent to their meals bowl. “Cats are hunters and, as a result of they eat what they kill, they fight to not eat the place water sources are for concern of contamination,” Dr. Colleran says.
6. Disguise the water in one thing yummy. Famend animal coach Samantha Martin makes certain her Wonderful Acro-Cats are well-hydrated to allow them to carry out their circus-cat like strikes onstage. “We boil hen breast in water for treats,” says Samantha, who relies in Atlanta. “We give them this hen water for added hydration and vitamin. They adore it!”
7. Clear the water bowls. Take into account ceramic, stainless-steel, glass or stoneware bowls, which clear simply and utterly and don’t retain odors. At all times examine any bowls for scratches or nicks, and substitute if essential.
8. Choose consuming fountains along with your cat — and your stage of dedication — in thoughts. “One of the extremely developed senses in cats is auditory,” Dr. Colleran says. “For those who can hear the pet consuming fountain, the sound is like screaming to cats and can trigger some to keep away from the fountain. Additionally, choose fountains that may be simply cleaned in a dishwasher to keep away from mildew and mildew. Go for a fountain with washable filters. In any other case, it’s good to carry on a schedule to recurrently substitute the filters to maintain the water clear.”
9. Introduce a novel liquid. “Some cats actually like bottled clam juice,” Dr. Colleran says. “And whenever you open that may of water-based tuna, squeeze out the tuna water and put it in a container that you could add purified water in, maintain refrigerated and provide it to your cat.”
10. Up the enchantment of a catio. Kate says to put a contemporary bowl of water in your enclosed catio daily. “It will possibly entice the cat to drink whereas he safely will get to look, hearken to and scent the outside.”

Precisely how a lot water?

Veterinarians advocate that cats want to absorb about 4 ounces of water per 5 kilos of physique weight day by day to remain hydrated. So, the common 10-pound cat ought to drink about 1 cup of water per day.

Cats who eat moist meals (which may comprise as much as 80% water) would possibly drink much less, whereas cats who eat solely dry meals will normally get extra of their day by day water requirement by consuming.

Water-drinking methods

We requested pet lovers on Fb to establish how they get their felines to drink water. Right here’s what they dished out:

“We’ve water dishes in nearly each room of our home, and I add a tiny little bit of hen broth to a number of of them for my two seniors, Uncle Satchel and Auntie Scarlette.” — Wendy Lindstrom

“I give my cats Maggie, Victoria and Turkey moist meals and add further water to their meals.” — Polly Smith

“Latte gained’t drink out of a daily bowl with nonetheless water. I believed a fountain was gimmicky till we received one. I completely see the distinction in how a lot water Latte and Ellie now drink.” — Katherine Kern

“I’ve a tall glass in a mug (for stability) on my nightstand in order that my 14-year-old Haddie doesn’t must go far for water at evening. It began as a glass for me, however it was rapidly co-opted.” — Tamar Arslanian

“Moist meals, a number of water bowls and including water to their meals works for us. Bootsie is 9 and has had urinary points. Foster cat Hallow is 2 and has had constipation points.” — Allison Hunter-Frederick

“I’ve three several types of water fountains, every with totally different ranges of motion. They’re all on totally different flooring of my home for my 5 cats: Mr. Meowgi, Vespertine, Tango, Tux and Morrisy.” — Danielle Jo Bays