Let’s start with the key point: cats don’t like to drink water. If you’ve noticed this with your feline, don’t worry—it’s natural. Why is this? Because standing water often makes them suspicious, as they might think it’s not fresh. However, there are ways to encourage your cat to hydrate more. Read our guide and try out these tricks at home.
How to Encourage Your Cat to Drink Water
Even cats who eat wet food need additional water. One effective method is to add warm water to their wet food. This way, the taste of their meal won’t change much (in fact, it will smell even more appealing!), and an extra portion of water will become a regular part of your cat’s diet. This can help them avoid urinary and kidney problems.
If you’re looking for ways to catch your cat’s attention, try turning on the faucet. Some cats enjoy drinking moving water, so occasionally let a stream of cold water flow—your cat might just like it too! Cat accessories like a fountain-style water bowl can also be a great solution for this.
If your cat likes to dip its nose into your glass of water, let them! Drinking from a glass might turn out to be the perfect way to keep your cat hydrated.
What is the Best Water Bowl for Your Cat?
If your cat isn’t a fan of drinking from a bowl, it could be because the bowl is the wrong shape or size. When a bowl is too narrow, your cat’s whiskers may hit the edges as they drink. Since a cat’s whiskers are very sensitive, this discomfort might make them avoid eating or drinking.
It’s also best to avoid plastic bowls. Plastic can absorb odors and is easily scratched, allowing bacteria to grow in those scratches. Plus, you might find that a plastic bowl moves all around the kitchen while your cat tries to drink.
What bowl should you choose? Ideally, one made from antibacterial stainless steel, which prevents bacteria and fungi from growing, is large enough, and stays firmly in place. Our Won-Ton Bowl fits the bill perfectly.
Not to mention, this designer product will look great in your home as well.
Keep Their Meals Hygienic
Cats have an instinctual aversion to drinking water that’s located near their food. This is because wild cats, in order to avoid poisoning from bacteria on their prey, won’t drink in the same spot where they eat. Even if your cat doesn’t hunt, their natural instincts remain.
That’s why you should place the water bowl far away from their litter box and food. It’s also a good idea to place water bowls in several different locations, reminding your cat to drink more often.
Order a bowl (or several) from Cosy and Dozy and feel free to fill them with diluted broth or gravy—after all, liquids aren’t just water!
And remember to change the water in their bowl at least once a day—after all, you prefer clean and fresh water too, right?
Keep Your Cat Hydrated Year-Round
Although we’ve said goodbye to the hottest time of the year, even without the heat, it’s still important to ensure your cat drinks regularly. After all, we all want our feline friends to stay healthy and function well, and proper hydration plays a key role in that.
If you want to take care of your cat’s health, in addition to hydration, remember their physical activity. You can find many premium cat accessories to help with this at Cosy and Dozy.