If you’ve noticed that your cat drinks a lot of water and urinates frequently, you should go to the vet immediately. In general, these symptoms indicate that there may be a problem with your pet’s health. Your cat is probably suffering from some imbalance in organs such as the kidneys, liver, or hormone glands. Below, we explain how to detect the symptoms, as well as some of the possible causes behind these signs.
How do I know if my cat drinks a lot of water and urinates frequently?
In veterinary terms, polyuria refers to a cat urinating more than normal, and polydipsia refers to drinking more than usual. These two terms are not diseases in themselves, but simply symptoms. Keep in mind that, normally, these changes in your cat’s behavior develop very gradually. Therefore, it’s easy for them to go unnoticed until the situation becomes serious. It’s important to know your cat’s routines and habits so you can detect any anomalies in time. Some signs that indicate your cat may have polyuria or polydipsia are:
- Meowing insistently for water.
- Soiling the litter box with urine more often, meaning you have to change the litter more frequently.
- Urinating outside the litter box.
How much water is normal for a cat to drink in one day?
We may think our cat drinks a lot, but we may not know whether it’s a normal amount or if we should be concerned. As a guideline, the amount of water a cat drinks per day depends on their diet and weight:
- If they only eat dry food: normal intake is no more than 100 ml per day per kg.
- If they only eat wet food: they should not drink more than 50 ml per day per kg.
Also, external factors such as heat, exercise, or lactation can significantly increase water intake. Likewise, certain medications, such as steroids and some anti-inflammatories, can also cause an increase in urination, which the cat compensates for by drinking more water.
How can I know how much water my cat drinks per day?
The best way to measure your cat’s water intake is to use a measured water dispenser. You can also calculate the volume of the bowl you usually use to offer water. This way, you can know accurately and objectively how much water your cat drinks throughout the day. Of course, this only works if you don’t have more than one cat. You’ll also need to ensure your feline isn’t drinking from other sources, such as faucets, plants, etc.
Possible illnesses
Polydipsia and polyuria can be caused by some of the following health problems:
- Kidney failure
- Kidney or urinary infections
- Diabetes
- Hyperthyroidism
- Liver failure
- Hyper- or hypoadrenocorticism
In most cases, the increase in water intake and urination are early symptoms. That is, they appear before the disease reaches an advanced stage and causes more severe symptoms. For this reason, it’s essential to pay close attention to their possible appearance.
Recommendations
Finally, here are some suggestions to help protect and safeguard your beloved pet’s health and well-being:
- Do not limit your cat’s water intake. Especially if you notice they are urinating more than usual, as this could cause dehydration.
- Observe and know your pet’s habits. This way you’ll be able to detect future changes.
- Get your cat used to using a litter box, even if they go outside. This will make it easier to monitor their urination habits and spot any irregularities.
- Go to the vet at the first sign of symptoms or doubts. The sooner a diagnosis is made and treatment can begin, the better their recovery will be.
