By its origins, your feline is not a heavy drinker.
However, we must ensure that its water needs are met.
And fight some received ideas on the matter: no, milk is not good for him!
Our tips and tricks to know for
optimal hydration.
To discover
Fence and neighborhood: what does the law say?
Why does a cat drink little?
Our domestic cat descends from a
wild cat
native to Africa, and therefore particularly adapted to drought.
As a result, and even if he needs to drink, his body has adapted to small amounts of water.
Thus, the kidneys have a great capacity for concentrating urine: the water ingested is largely used by the body and not eliminated.
Read the file Breed, food, adoption: all our tips for your cat
How much water should a cat drink per day?
In nature, our felines find most of their water requirement in their food: small preys are made up of 70%.
In fact, a cat's tongue is not as effective at licking up water as a dog's.
He is therefore a poor drinker.
We estimate
on average 200 ml the amount of water
a cat
needs daily
(between 40 and 60 ml per kilo of cat).
But this number can still vary depending on heat, diet, age ...
If your cat drinks more than usual, she may have early diabetes or kidney failure.
But if he does not drink enough, there is a risk of dehydration and premature wear and tear of the kidneys, which are abnormally strained and made to concentrate the urine even more.
Read alsoCat: 5 symptoms to take seriously
How to make a cat drink water?
Renew its water
every day to keep it clean and fresh.
The cat has a sense of smell and taste fibers that do not deceive him.
Also clean its container daily.
If he drinks from the
tap
, be careful because it is quite often ineffective.
Besides, you could overestimate the amount actually drunk.
For those who prefer moving water,
fountains
are a good alternative, which also amuse them.
They also allow you to know how much is actually consumed.
They do not like to drink from a narrow bowl because their extremely sensitive whiskers (whiskers) should not touch the edges.
To avoid it, the cat sometimes puts its paw in the water to lick it.
So prefer an almost flat dish, preferably stainless steel, porcelain or glass, with a thin layer of water that it will lapping.
Read also My cat urinates all over the house: what to do?
Where to put water for cats?
Location matters too, so avoid putting it against a wall, as your pet may feel in a vulnerable position (back to the room) when drinking.
Also avoid placing water next to his bowl of kibble: very different needs for him.
Do not hesitate to increase the number of water points at home, this will increase tenfold its opportunities to hydrate.
How to relieve a dehydrated cat?
Contrary to popular belief,
never replace water with
milk
by thinking of encouraging him to drink.
Milk contains lactose, a protein that cats cannot digest.
Read alsoCat food: toxic foods to avoid
Feeding it mash, mousse or jelly all with a high water content guarantees a minimum of water intake.
The
“all kibble”
is not ideal for his health.
You can also make small ice cubes with tuna or chicken juice: a good way to hydrate a greedy cat.