How can I get my cat to drink water?

[Johnny Fontane]

My cat never drinks, and I don't want him to get sick. We always put out fresh clean water for him, but he doesn't drink. I don't know if he has mental problems, but now that it's getting so hot outside, I don't want him to get dehydrated. Is this common? What should I do?

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[furie]

show him how. get down on all fours and drink from the
bowl.

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This message was edited by furie on 5-27-04 @ 8:05 PM

[HBox]

lock it in a room with only a dish of water, and don't let him out until he drinks it all. Repeat until it gets the message.

[FUNKMAN]

i've had cats that like to slurp from the faucet instead of drinking from a bowl... don't know if it 'simulates nursing a bit' for them. So i turn the faucet just enough to get a slow drip going...

maybe get one of them water bottles they use in the pet stores...

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[sr71blackbird]

They have this powered fountain that gurgles water from the bottom of the bowl, over a fountain and into the bottom that cats seem to love. They love running water. Otherwise, they prefer water in ceramic bowls instead of plastic or stainless steel. Try using a small crock if you wont want to spring for the powered fountain. They have them in Agway in the pet area, or try places like Petco.

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[BoondockSaint]

Lift the toilet seat. No joke. That was the only place my cat would drink from.

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[grlNIN]

That or the tub faucet, my cat sits in the tub and drinks the dripping water but maybe she is drinking it just not enough that you notice?

Or maybe you standing over the cat waiting to see if it drinks is making it not go near the bowl?

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[FUNKMAN]

slip some jalapenos in his catfood...
;)

i use plastic bowls but i'm gonna try what SR71 suggested and switch to ceramic and see if they'll like it....

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[JesterOfSadness]

or try places like Petco.



*hisses* Petco has shit that is way too expensive. Go to PetsMart, where their prices are okay i guess. Shameless plug for a job that I hate

Better yet, Just swallow some jacks-CM Punk

[Gmann]

Drown your cat. It will swallow some of the water.

[grlNIN]

Drown your cat. It will swallow some of the water.




Too bad you didn't follow some of that advice when your roomie brought that evil marionette looking cat back to your house. :eg:

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[Gmann]

Like I didnt think about it ??

[IrishAlkey]

Too bad you didn't follow your own advice when your roomie brought herself into that house.

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[Jennitalia]

Cats will drink when they're thirsty, but if he just isn't drinking at all, you should bring him to the vet for a check up...it could be an internal problem like his kidneys.


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[angrymissy]

my cats seem to prefer drinking from the toilet... I hardly ever see them drink out of their dish

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[saveopieanthony.net]

throw her in a river

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[furie]

mine don't seem to mind the dish.


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[sr71blackbird]

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<marquee behavior=alternate><font size=1>Amidst the mists and coldest frosts, with stoutest wrists and loudest boasts, he thrusts his
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[Katylina]

Taken from a site:

Most cats prefer not to have their water bowls right next to their food, because that's not where they would find water in a natural setting. Move the water bowl to another location in the room, if possible several meters away. You should also put a water bowl or two in other rooms, e.g., the bathroom and/or bedroom. Also, if he's eating canned food he probably won't drink much water, but should be encouraged to drink anyway by always offering plenty of fresh water.
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This message was edited by Katylina on 5-24-04 @ 9:55 PM

[Katylina]

10 WAYS TO ENCOURAGE YOUR CAT TO DRINK WATER


1. Canned food is an excellent way to encourage water consumption. Canned food is high in water content and most cats love the taste. Canned food can always be warmed up in the microwave to enhance its smell for the fussy cat. Try to feed at least some canned food two to three times a day.
2. Provide fresh water every day. Cats seem to be very aware of the temperature and taste of water.
3.Make sure the water bowl is filled to the brim at all times. Cats have very sensitive whiskers adn do not like putting their face into a bowl.
4. Some cats do not like the taste of tap water. You might wish to:
a)refrigerate the tap water to improve its taste
b)try Brita water
c)try distilled water
d)try bottled water
Try a few types and see what your cat prefers.
5. Some cats will drink more water if a drop or two of tuna juice (tuna in water) is provided. If you try this, always make sure a sepatate bowl of fresh water is available.
6. some cats will drink more water if it looks like milk. Try adding a little skim milk powder to the water. If you try, always make sure a separate bowl of fresh water is available.
7. If your cat prefers to drink from a tap, make sure they can always get to the tap (don't lock them out of the bathroom if that is where they like to drink). If your schedule permits, turn the tap on for the cat as often as possible throughout the day.
8. Keep the food and water bowls away from the litter box area.
9. Keep the water bowl clean (cats have a keen sense of smell and are easily turned off by odours on the edge of the bowl.) Stainless steel or ceramic dishes are easier to keep clean and odour free vs plastic dishes. The water dish shoould be washed at least every other day if possible.
10. Some cats seem to prefer a clear glass bowl to drink from.



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[FUNKMAN]

Canned food can always be warmed up in the microwave to enhance its smell


enhance? that's a nice way of putting it...

just have some Lysol or potpourri on hand, maybe some yankee candles...

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[Katylina]

... don't take advice from funk! He'll just tell u to toss it in a bucket of water!

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[FUNKMAN]

hahahahahahahahahahahahahah!

ha
:)

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