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2023 Author: Alex Livingston | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-26 11:39
One of the most common myths when it comes to cats concerns their aversion to water. And it is not just a question of fear of swimming or drowning but also a tendency to stay away from it in general, to the point of reducing its intake. But because cats drink little?
It is actually a legacy of theirs passed by predators of the desert areas of the Middle East. For much of their existence on earth, felines have survived by hunting and feeding on small animals, through which they absorbed the water necessary for their body. They also have a particular metabolism that allows them to survive in particularly arid areas and have developed the ability to concentrate urine to minimize fluid losses.
Traces of their past are still present in their current behavior, which is why they are not yet very used to drinking water. That's why you need to make sure your four-legged friend doesn't get dehydrated, as this can lead to various health problems ranging from heat exhaustion to urinary tract infections.
The age of your cat, its weight, the physical activity it carries out every day and also its diet, as well as the time of year we are in, are factors that influence the amount of water it needs. We would like to emphasize that it is perfectly normal not to see him empty his bowl of water too often, and that sometimes it is just the opposite behavior arousing suspicion: if you notice that he drinks more often than usual or that some of his eating habits have changed, there may be an ongoing health problem.
Suggestions
At the same time, however, keep it hydrated it is fundamental: disorders such as hypothyroidism, diabetes and kidney failure are associated with cat dehydration. We therefore suggest some small steps to follow to ensure that your cat takes all the water it needs.
- Fresh water: if the water is not fresh or clean, cats will snub it, and they will also do well! Make sure you change the water in their bowl often.
- Large, clean bowls: Cats prefer to drink from fairly large vessels. It is also important that they are clean and that they do not retain impurities and bad smells, which usually happens with very cheap plastic containers. Try to prefer those in aluminum, stainless steel or ceramic.
- Drinking fountains: cats like to play, explore and discover new things, and are attracted to flowing water (like that of the tap at home) rather than stagnant water. A cat fountain [link] could therefore be for you.
- Mix food dry with canned food: in this way your cat will drink fluids in the most natural way possible, already while eating.
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