When your kitten doesn’t seem to be drinking enough water, it’s normal to be concerned. Although they appear to be enjoying their milk, their avoidance of water may be reason for concern. Like with humans, proper hydration is crucial for their well-being.
Although many kittens have an innate preference for milk when they are young, this does not mean they should disregard water. This behavior may be the result of a variety of factors, including environmental influences and innate preferences. The first step in solving the problem is figuring out why your kitten is avoiding the water.
You should take action if your kitten completely refuses to drink water. In order to keep your kitten healthy and hydrated, we’ll examine the causes of this behavior in this article and provide some easy advice on how to encourage them to drink more water.
| Reason | What to do |
| Kitten prefers milk | Gradually reduce the amount of milk and offer fresh water. You can mix a small amount of water into the milk. |
| Not used to water | Place multiple bowls of clean water around the house. Try using different bowl types (plastic, metal, ceramic) to see what the kitten prefers. |
| Water is unappealing | Ensure the water is fresh, cool, and changed daily. Some kittens prefer running water, so try a pet water fountain. |
| Health issues | If the kitten continues to avoid water and seems lethargic or sick, consult a vet to rule out any health problems. |
If a kitten is only lapping milk and drinks very little water, it may be because they are still getting used to the taste of milk. Even though this is typical, kittens still require water to stay hydrated. Water can be introduced gradually by leaving out fresh, spotless bowls or by drizzling a little water into their meal. It’s critical to see a veterinarian to rule out any health concerns if the kitten persists in refusing water.
- Milk is not a drink, but food!
- How much water does a kitten need per day?
- Food and water: the need for fluid when feeding dry, wet food or "natural" food
- The water is tasteless!
- The drinking bowl is dirty!
- The kitten prefers tap water
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Milk is not a drink, but food!
Newborn kittens only consume their mother’s milk, which provides them with all the nutrients they need to grow. The infant’s only reflex from birth is to suckle; he is not yet capable of lapping water from a bowl. The mother cat will eventually teach him about drinking and personal hygiene. Kittens pick up knowledge quickly by observing their mother.
The person who brought a dumb baby home assumes responsibility for his training and upbringing. Even if he feeds the pet dairy products, the pet still needs to get used to water. For a cat, milk is food; it doesn’t satisfy its need for liquids as it grows. There should always be clean water in the drinking bowl because an appropriate drinking schedule is essential to the animal’s health.
How much water does a kitten need per day?
A kitten’s daily water intake is not set in stone. This is a personal indicator that varies according to lifestyle, season, level of physical activity, and diet. In contrast to cool spring and autumn, the need for liquid increases by two times during hot weather and the heating season. Compared to adult, peaceful animals, young cats who run, jump, and play nonstop require more water. Cats, including older and smaller kittens, can survive without fluids for up to two days before their bodies start irreversible processes and they pass away. Adult cats in good health can go up to three days without drinking.
There is an approximate formula for calculating the required daily amount of liquid. The kitten"s weight (in grams) must be multiplied by a factor of 0.03. On average, 30-35 ml of water should be consumed per 1 kg of the animal"s weight. These are average figures, they can vary depending on climatic conditions.
The body of the mammal is 80–85% water. Dehydration causes the metabolism to slow down and causes improper absorption of substances. A developing organism is severely harmed by dehydration. Blood thickens when there is insufficient moisture in the air, which raises the risk of venous thrombosis and hemorrhoids. Kittens who have an unhealthy drinking pattern experience the following issues:
See also: How much do kittens typically sleep between one and three months of age, and Why has the baby stopped playing and has become lethargic?
- deterioration of general health and apathy;
- poor appetite and developmental delay;
- change in the condition of the coat (it becomes dull, dandruff appears);
- disruption of the gastrointestinal tract, constipation;
- development of urolithiasis;
- violation of water-salt metabolism.
Food and water: the need for fluid when feeding dry, wet food or "natural" food
A kitten’s recommended drinking amount is determined by the food it eats. Up to 80% of the baby’s required moisture comes from natural food, and the need for water almost completely vanishes when milk is added. Both canned and ready-made wet food have an adequate amount of liquid, so an animal fed these foods is less likely to actively drink from the water bowl and does not actively seek out water to drink.
Pets fed dry food have a much greater need for liquids. Probiotics and vitamins are present in high-quality "drying" for kittens, but the moisture content is insufficient for the baby’s complete development. According to veterinarians, in this instance, drinking more water should equal consuming 2.5–3 times as much dry food. The animal can only develop harmoniously and grow up healthy with this ratio.
The water is tasteless!
The kitten may not enjoy the taste of water if he does not drink it. The water needs to be fresh, clean, room temperature, and flavorless. Due to their keen sense of smell, cats will not drink anything if they detect an unpleasant or confusing odor. Offering bottled water or settled, filtered tap water is preferable.
Initially, the owner must teach a newborn that has just been weaned from its mother how to lap up liquid from a bowl. Here’s how to go about it: When you run a wet finger over the cat’s mouth and nose, it will instinctively lick itself and eventually adjust to the new flavor. Using a pipette or syringe, you can squirt water into your nose.
More often than not, after an active game, you should give your pet a drink of cool water if they appear thirsty. To ensure the body gets the right amount of liquid, some owners dilute their milk with a small amount of water.
With time, the animal will learn that water tastes good and start to search the house on its own. The pet can climb into the sink or bathtub, drink from the faucet, or come from an aquarium. This is incorrect; the infant needs to learn how to use a drinking bowl. Water bowls are positioned in the cat’s usual spot. When the kitten comes across them, it might decide to make one of them its favorite.
The drinking bowl is dirty!
It’s important to look at the drinking bowl when trying to determine why a kitten won’t drink water. Oftentimes, the response to this query is extremely straightforward: the infant refuses to drink from an unclean bowl. If there is a food bowl close by, food may find its way into the drinking bowl and form a slimy coating from the water. The drinking bowl might not be filthy in and of itself, but the kitten is reluctant to sully its paws because of the unclean surroundings. Because they are incredibly hygienic and finicky, cats won’t drink from dirty dishes.
See also: Weight of kittens (mongrel and other breeds) – Age-based table: how much does a baby typically weigh at 1-2, 3-4, and 5-6 months?
A cat with keen sense of smell can discriminate between smells that are unsettling or untrustworthy. Animal dishes are frequently composed of cheap plastic, which has an overpowering odor. It is preferable to use odorless, easily cleaned ceramic, metal, or porcelain bowls.
The kitten prefers tap water
Cats vary in what they need from water in terms of qualities. While some kittens prefer warm water, others prefer cold, and still others enjoy the sound of running water. In an attempt to catch the liquid droplets that are hanging, the pet repeatedly climbs into the sink and licks the faucet. Such fidgets require the faucet to be left slightly open in order to prevent drying out of the sink. The high concentration of salts and chlorine in tap water makes it unhealthy. It is best to purchase a fountain-shaped drinker with continuously circulating water for cats who enjoy a flowing stream of water.
While a preference for milk is normal in kittens, as they grow older, water becomes increasingly important for their health. Your kitten may be drinking very little water because it’s new to them or because they’re not used to it. You can simply offer fresh water in a clean, shallow dish and set it in a quiet area to encourage them to drink.
Try adding a little water to your kitten’s wet food or giving them water from a syringe if they still refuse to drink it. To rule out any underlying health concerns, it’s crucial to see a veterinarian if they appear dehydrated or ill.
Recall that perseverance and patience are essential. Over time, gradually incorporating water into their routine will assist them in developing a healthy habit.
