Wednesday, July 29, 2009

How do you get a cat to drink more?

Was at the vets for 3 days for tests that didn't really show anything. Symptoms were listless, not eating/drinking. Sent home with a diagnosis of being 'dehydrated' and that he should drink more.
I think the dehydration is a symptom rather then a diagnosis - but that is just my opinion.
Anyhow - how do you get a cat to drink? Using a syringe for small amounts, but you can imagine how that goes over.
Answers:
Chicken broth..vanilla ice cream..kitty milk if your cat throws up regular milk..or lactose free milk will do.feed canned food it has more water in it.

Did they do blood test to check for anything?? Diseases? Liver?

Are you making fresh water available at all times??

Some cats love yogurt.that will help.

How about drinking from a faucet? One of my cats loves to do this and will drink and drink.

If he is real dehydrated he could use some lactaid ringers..fluid injected with a needle. Cats can easily die from being dehydrated.
Obviously there are some underlying reasons why he is dehydrated. I would take him to another vet.
Have you tried milk or putting gelatin powder in the water to flavor it a little?
Give him a little pet milk in his water. Cats love it. Good Luck
maybe try mixing a bit of water in with his food if you have dry food. Play with him more that might get him to drink if he's thirsty. Or you could try bottle feeding but I'm not sure if cats would like that
Well if he likes tuna get the kind in water and let him have it, also can food if he is eating will help him get some water. Maybe if it rains soon stick a cup or bowl out and collect some, the new stuff may get him interested.
The only cat who drinks a lot in my house is my cat Dubby. Frisky and Goldie drink a little bit, but not as much as my Dubby. You cannot force them to do something that they are not going to do.
To get more liquid in the cat, you could give him wet/can food. Milk is not the best idea, as most cats are lactose intolerant and wit will give him the runs.
Well you should call your vet and tell him that your cat will not drink enough water. They will do something about it.
Give him a cottan mouth. Im sure you know how to do that.As for him not eating Im sure that will take care of that also.
I've heard those bowls that circulate the water are good. canned food will help or mix a little dry food with water-this makes the water have a little"gravy flavor".

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