Why Is My Cat Drinking So Much Water?
If you’ve noticed your cat making frequent trips to the water bowl or you’re refilling it more often than usual, you might wonder what’s going on. Cats’ water intake isn’t always the same—it can shift depending on their diet, age, activity level, and even the weather outside. But when a cat suddenly starts drinking a lot more than usual, it’s worth paying attention.
How Much Water Should a Cat Drink?
Most adult cats need about 3.5 to 4.5 ounces of water per 5 pounds of body weight every day (that’s roughly 100ml per kilogram). But not all cats drink the same way. Cats who eat mostly wet food get a lot of their hydration from their meals and may barely touch their water bowl. On the flip side, cats on dry kibble need to drink more to make up for the lack of moisture in their food.
- Wet food = less drinking
- Dry food = more drinking
- Larger or more active cats will naturally drink more.
- Hot or dry environments can increase thirst.
How Can You Tell If Your Cat Is Drinking More?
It’s not always easy to measure exactly how much your cat drinks—especially if there are multiple pets or several water sources in your home. But here are some ways to keep track:
- Use a single bowl and measure how much water you add and how much is left after 24 hours.
- Check for larger urine clumps in the litter box or more frequent urination.
- Notice if you’re refilling the bowl much more often than before.
What Causes Increased Thirst in Cats?
The medical term for increased drinking is polydipsia, and when it’s paired with increased urination (polyuria), it can signal something serious—especially in older cats. Here are some common causes:
- Chronic Kidney Disease: As kidneys age and lose function, cats drink and urinate more to compensate.
- Diabetes Mellitus: Diabetic cats often have increased thirst and urination, along with weight loss and bigger appetites (middle-aged and overweight cats are at higher risk).
- Hyperthyroidism: Too much thyroid hormone leads to thirst, hunger, weight loss, and sometimes hyperactivity.
- Liver Disease: Especially in older or overweight cats, liver issues can cause increased drinking and peeing.
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): UTIs can make cats drink and pee more frequently—often in small amounts—and are more common in younger to middle-aged cats.
- Certain Medications/High Blood Calcium: Steroids, diuretics, or high calcium levels can also boost thirst.
Milder explanations, like a recent switch from wet to dry food, hot weather (or air conditioning), extra activity or stress, or just offering multiple water bowls around the house can also explain an uptick in drinking. Still, don’t ignore sudden changes—especially if they last for several days.
When Should You Worry?
If your cat’s increased thirst comes with any of these symptoms, call your vet soon:
- Lethargy (unusual tiredness)
- Losing weight
- Bigger appetite—or no appetite at all
- Peeing outside the litter box or very frequently
- Vomiting or diarrhea
If you have a male cat who’s straining to pee but only producing small amounts (or none), that’s an emergency—get veterinary help immediately!
Your Vet’s Approach: Diagnosis & Treatment
Your veterinarian will ask about your cat’s habits: eating patterns, behavior changes, litter box visits. They’ll likely recommend bloodwork and urine tests; sometimes they’ll suggest imaging like ultrasounds or X-rays for a clearer picture of what’s happening inside.
- Kidney disease: Managed with special diets and medications to slow progression and control symptoms.
- Diabetes: Treated with insulin injections (don’t worry—they’re tiny needles!), dietary adjustments, and regular monitoring.
- Hyperthyroidism: Options include oral medication, topical gels applied to the ear skin, or radioiodine therapy.
- Liver/urinary tract diseases: Require targeted treatments such as antibiotics or specific diets depending on diagnosis.
Tips for Managing Your Cat’s Water Intake
- Fresh water daily: Change it out every day; clean bowls regularly.
- If your cat likes running water better than bowls (many do!), try a pet fountain.
- Add a bit of extra water—or low-sodium broth—to dry food meals for extra hydration.
- If possible, incorporate wet food into their diet for natural moisture boost.
- If you have several cats at home: offer multiple bowls so nobody gets crowded out!
The best thing you can do? Keep an eye on your cat’s habits. If they’re suddenly guzzling water—or if anything else seems off—don’t wait too long before talking with your vet. Catching medical conditions early makes treatment easier and helps keep your feline friend healthy for years to come!
