Ten Ways to Get Your Cat to Drink More Water

Cat owners can encourage their pets to drink more water by feeding them wet food, placing multiple water bowls around the house, trying different types of water bowls, adjusting the location of the water bowls, using a cat water fountain or timer-controlled faucet, changing the water daily, spending more time playing with the cat, adding flavor to the water, and using natural water sources. If none of these methods work, owners may have to resort to force-feeding with a syringe or subcutaneous hydration to ensure the cat gets enough water intake.

Feed your cat wet food

The most effective and simplest way to get your cat to drink more water is to feed them wet food or canned goods to supplement their water intake. However, cats that eat wet food long-term are more likely to develop tooth calculus, so you can also try adding water or meat broth to their dry food to see if they accept it.

Place multiple water bowls around the house

You can have more than one water bowl at home. Place them in areas where your cat likes to hang out to increase their chances of seeing and drinking water.

Try different types of water bowls

Cats are clean animals, so they prefer to drink water from ceramic or glass bowls. You can experiment with a wider and shallower dish to see if your cat drinks more.

Adjust the location of the water bowls

Cats prefer to drink water in places where they can observe their surroundings. Move the water bowl to a clean, spacious area with a wide view, avoiding places near the toilet or where food is present to prevent contamination.

Use a cat water fountain or timer-controlled faucet

Cats like drinking water from moving sources, so you can use a cat-specific water fountain or timer-controlled faucet to encourage them to drink more.

Change the water daily

Cats prefer fresh water. If the water sits for a long time, dust, dirt, and hair will accumulate in the bowl, causing the cat to stop drinking. Ensure that you replace the water and wash the bowl at least once or twice a day to keep it clean.

Spend more time playing with your cat

In daily life, engage in more playtime with your cat to ensure they get plenty of exercise and burn off energy, which can also encourage them to drink more water.

Add flavor to the water

Some cats are attracted to water with added flavor. You can try adding a little tuna juice or chicken broth to the water to encourage your cat to drink more. Naturally, you can also prepare bone broth, chicken breast soup, or mix in sheep's milk to make the water more appealing.

Use natural water sources

Water from the tap contains chlorine, which some picky cats dislike. You can try feeding your cat boiled or distilled water to see if they prefer it.

Force-feed with a syringe or perform subcutaneous hydration

If none of the above methods work, you may need to resort to force-feeding with a syringe or performing subcutaneous hydration to ensure the cat gets enough water intake. Afterward, offer your cat a small treat as a reward or else they might develop a dislike for water.