What's going on when a cat drinks water frequently?

A cat drinking water frequently may be caused by non-disease reasons such as hot weather, salty food, and internal heat, or disease reasons such as fever, kidney disease, diabetes, and infectious peritonitis. If the cat has a good mental state and appetite while drinking water frequently, non-disease reasons can be ruled out. However, if accompanied by symptoms such as low spirits, loss of appetite, and weight loss, it is likely caused by disease and requires immediate veterinary examination.

I. Non-disease reasons

1. Hot weather

In hot summer weather, high ambient temperatures can make cats feel thirsty, leading to frequent water consumption. This is a normal situation, but owners should place their cats in shady and well-ventilated areas and provide enough water to prevent heatstroke.

1. Salty food

If a cat's food is too salty or dry, it can make the cat feel thirsty and drink more water. Therefore, it is recommended to feed cats with light diets and ensure adequate water intake.

1. Internal heat

Inflammation of the throat, body dryness, and other symptoms can occur due to internal heat, causing cats to drink frequently to alleviate discomfort. It is advised not to feed cats with spicy or easily oxidizing foods and to maintain a light diet.

II. Disease reasons

1. Fever

When a cat has a fever, it will want to drink more water to lower its body temperature. If the cat suddenly starts drinking water frequently, owners can use a thermometer to check the cat's temperature. A normal cat temperature ranges from 38.0℃ to 39.5℃; if it exceeds 39.5℃, it means the cat has a fever and should be taken to a pet hospital for treatment.

1. Kidney disease

If a cat suddenly starts drinking more water under the same diet and environmental conditions, it may have kidney disease. As kidney function declines, more water is needed to metabolize waste products in the body, which may manifest as excessive thirst, frequent urination, dribbling, and hematuria. If these symptoms are found, take the cat to a pet hospital for examination and treatment.

1. Diabetes

When a cat has diabetes, the body's sugar rush needs to be eliminated through the kidneys, causing the cat to feel dehydrated and drink more water. Symptoms also include increased urination, increased appetite, weight loss, fatigue, high sugar content in urine, and proteinuria. If these symptoms are observed, take the cat to the hospital for testing and follow the doctor's treatment plan.

1. Infectious peritonitis

Cat infectious peritonitis causes abdominal fluid to leak out, leading to dehydration and the need for more water intake. Main symptoms include decreased mental state and appetite, weight loss, decreased white blood cell count in biochemical tests, and the presence of abdominal fluid or swollen lymph nodes. If these symptoms are found, take the cat to a pet hospital immediately. If the cat indeed has infectious peritonitis, it requires treatment with specific antibodies.

Note:

This article is for reference only and does not constitute a diagnosis or treatment plan. If your cat has any suspected symptoms, please consult a veterinarian.