My Cat Drinks Hardly Any Water… Should I Be Worried?

Cats are famous for drinking very little water. Find out why and simple ways to encourage healthy hydration.

Cats have a reputation for being terrible water drinkers—and there's actually a good reason for it.

Wild cats got much of their hydration from their prey, so our domestic cats haven't developed a particularly strong thirst drive.

While this is perfectly normal, it does mean many cats don't drink enough, especially if they're eating mostly dry food.

Simple tricks can help encourage more drinking. Try placing multiple water bowls around the house, using wide shallow bowls, keeping water fresh each day, or even trying a pet water fountain—many cats love moving water.

Wet food can also contribute significantly to their daily fluid intake.

Keeping your cat well hydrated helps support their overall wellbeing and urinary health.

If your cat suddenly starts drinking much more—or much less—than usual, it's worth arranging a veterinary check-up, as changes in drinking habits can sometimes indicate underlying health issues.

Sometimes it's the little changes that make the biggest difference.