Contact your vet if your cat doesn’t drink water suddenly. This could be a sign that there’s an underlying health issue.
Cats can become dehydrated quickly if they stop drinking water. Especially if their diet consists of dry food only.
Water is the most essential nutrient. So it’s important that our cats get enough water daily.
Disclaimer: I earn a commission if you click and make a purchase through affiliate links below.
When should I worry about my cat not drinking water?
You should worry about your cat not drinking water if your cat stops drinking water suddenly. Cats are creatures of habit and any behavior change warrants a trip to the vet.
Another cause for concern with cats not drinking water is dry food. Feeding dry food only will dehydrate your cat from the inside out.
Dry food is only about 10% moisture. Whereas the cat’s natural prey is around 70% moisture.
Cats get most of their moisture needs from the prey that they eat. So they have a lower thirst drive.
However, if your cat is eating a proper high-moisture raw food diet or low-carb wet food you may notice that your cat doesn’t drink a lot of water.
How long is too long for a cat to not drink water?
If your cat goes a day without drinking enough water that is too long. Cats require water daily. It is the most essential nutrient because we are all made up of mostly water.
A loss of as little as 10% of its water can cause serious illness in most animals, and a 15% loss would be fatal without immediate treatment. The amount of water that is needed daily by an animal (in mL) is equal to the amount of its daily energy requirement (in kcal).
Thomas P. Colville, Joanna M. Bassert, Clinical Anatomy and Physiology for Veterinary Technicians.
Many cat parents have said to me, “My dry-fed cat drinks plenty of water”. However, this amount is never enough.
The average 10-lb cat eating dry food only would have to consume over 8 oz of water daily just to stay hydrated.
How do I encourage my cat to drink water?
You can encourage your cat to drink more water by feeding an appropriate high-moisture diet of either high-protein low-carb wet food or balanced raw food.
High-moisture foods will provide most of your cat’s daily water needs.
Next, test your water quality. I used Tap Score water test kits. With that link, you’ll get $10 off your first $100+ order. The discount is automatically applied at checkout.
My city’s tap water got higher than the US average. But it still contained nasty chloroform and disinfection by-products. These toxins negatively affect our cat’s health.
Additionally, your cat may refuse water if he smells that the water is off.
Treatment options depend entirely on your specific water source and quality. So testing your water is essential.
Buy Tap Score water test kits and get $10 off your $100+ purchase.
I purchased the AquaTru reverse osmosis countertop carafe to clean our water.
Then I tested that water with Tap Score.
The AquaTru countertop carafe removed the disinfection by-products, and it creates the perfect pH for cat drinking water!
Buy the Glass carafe or Classic model and get a discount plus free filters with that link!
Read my full AquaTru review.
Why does my cat not drink water from his bowl?
Your cat does not drink water from his bowl because it may be too deep or not clean enough. Cats do not like it when their whiskers touch things. And they are also finicky about freshness.
A better water dish option is a shallow, stainless steel plate. You can buy one on Chewy or Amazon.
Cats prefer flat options to avoid whisker fatigue.
And we need to ditch plastic because plastic traps bacteria. No matter how many times you clean it.
This bacteria can cause that pink residue you may find in your cat’s bowl.
Final thoughts on my cat doesn’t drink water
If your cat doesn’t drink water suddenly, it’s time to see the vet. Especially if your cat’s diet is dry food only.
Cats can get dehydrated very easily when eating a dry food only diet.
It’s important to upgrade your cat’s food to a high-moisture diet to avoid chronic dehydration.
Test your water quality with Tap Score and treat your water appropriately so it’s clean and fresh.
I highly recommend AquaTru. Buy the Glass carafe or Classic model and get a discount plus free filters with that link!
Especially if you live in an apartment like me and cannot make structural plumbing changes.
Also upgrade to a shallow, stainless steel plate (Chewy or Amazon) instead of a deep, plastic bowl.
Ready to upgrade your cat’s diet? Use my proven transition plan switch your cat to raw!
