Water is essential for the health and well-being of cats. It allows them, in addition to hydration, to avoid many health problems. That's why it's important to know how much water kittens need to drink.
How to know how much water kittens should drink daily? Keep reading to find complete information on this important topic:
What factors can influence whether a kitten drinks water or not?
- Diet: If your kitten only eats dry food (kibble), they will need to drink more water daily than kittens that primarily consume wet food, because wet food contains between 70% and 80% water, covering a large part of their daily intake.
- Health: If your kitten has a health problem, such as kidney issues or urinary infections, they will need a higher daily water intake. For this, a veterinarian should examine them and indicate the amount of water they should drink daily and what food is appropriate.
- Weight and size: On average, a kitten should drink between 50 to 100 ml of water per kilogram of body weight per day. This means that a 4 kg cat would need between 200 to 400 ml of water daily.
- Activities: If your kitten is very active, they will need more water to stay hydrated during their play sessions, as well as if the weather is warm.
How to ensure your kitten is well-hydrated?
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Water stations: Make sure your cat always has access to fresh water. Change the water in their bowl twice a day to prevent bacterial buildup.
Also, place several bowls of fresh water in different areas of the house, so that while they are playing and need water, they will have easy access to it and stay hydrated. -
Water fountain: Most cats like running water, so an electric fountain that keeps the water moving will be ideal to encourage consumption.
Ideally, this fountain should be medium to large in size so that the edges do not touch their whiskers, as this makes them uncomfortable and they will not prioritize drinking water from there.
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Wet food: The most common food kittens eat is dry kibble, so incorporating wet food, such as pouches or homemade chicken soup, is an effective way to increase their water intake.
Find the best deals on wet pouches on our website:
How to tell if my cat is dehydrated?
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Skin turgor test: Gently pinch the skin on the back of their neck or between their shoulder blades and release it. The skin should quickly return to its original position.
If the skin takes a long time to return or stays tented, it could be a sign of dehydration. -
Gums: Lift your cat's upper lip to observe their gums. They should be moist and pink.
If they are dry, sticky, or pale, it could indicate dehydration. -
Urine: Monitor how often your kitten urinates to see if it's regular. Also, check that the urine should be a pale yellow color.
If their urine is darker, or if they urinate less frequently, it could be a sign of dehydration. - Behavior: If your kitten is weak, more tired than usual, or not exercising as much as before, it could be a sign of dehydration. It's important to pay attention to their hydration.
- Weight: Another important point is to keep a constant record of your kitten's weight. If they lose weight suddenly, it can be a sign of dehydration.
Always remember to take your furry friend to the vet for any questions or concerns you notice in their behavior, well-being, and/or diet.
It's always better to prevent.