How to Get a Cat to Drink More Water: 8 Simple Tricks
If you've ever worried that your cat barely touches their water bowl, you're not imagining it — and you're not alone. Cats have a naturally low thirst drive, a leftover instinct from desert-dwelling ancestors who got most of their moisture from prey. The problem is that chronic under-hydration is a leading cause of urinary and kidney trouble in cats. The good news: a few small changes can make a real difference. Here are eight tricks that actually work.
1. Add wet food to the diet
Canned or wet food is roughly 70–80% water, compared to about 10% for dry kibble. Simply mixing in some wet food is the single easiest way to boost your cat's total water intake — often without them drinking any more at all.
2. Give them moving water
Cats are instinctively drawn to running water, which is why so many drink from faucets. A pet fountain taps directly into that instinct. Our HydraPaw stainless steel water fountain keeps water constantly circulating and filtered, which encourages cats to drink far more than they would from a still bowl. The stainless steel basin resists the bacteria and feline chin acne that plastic bowls can cause, and the whisper-quiet pump won't spook a nervous cat.
3. Use wide, shallow bowls
Many cats hate when their whiskers brush the sides of a narrow bowl — it's called whisker fatigue. A wide, shallow dish lets them drink without that discomfort.
4. Offer multiple water stations
Place several bowls around your home, not just one. The more often your cat passes water, the more often they'll take a sip — especially in multi-level homes.
5. Keep water away from food and litter
In the wild, cats instinctively avoid water sources near their food or waste. A bowl tucked beside the food dish or litter box may simply be ignored. Move it somewhere separate.
6. Keep it fresh
Cats are sensitive to stale water. Refresh bowls at least once a day, and rinse them regularly to prevent film and odor.
7. Try adding flavor
A splash of low-sodium chicken broth or the water from a can of tuna can make a bowl far more enticing. Just avoid anything with onion, garlic, or added salt.
8. Watch for signs of dehydration
Keep an eye out for lethargy, dry gums, sunken eyes, or skin that's slow to spring back when gently lifted. If you notice these, or a sudden drop in how much your cat drinks, check in with your vet.
Your cat may never be an eager drinker — that's just feline nature. But by combining a couple of these tricks, especially wet food and a fountain that gives them the moving water they crave, you can keep them properly hydrated and protect their kidneys and urinary health for years to come.