Dehydration in cats is far more common than most pet parents realize. Cats evolved from desert animals, which makes them notoriously poor drinkers; they simply don’t seek out water the way dogs do. But chronic low hydration can quietly snowball into digestive issues, urinary tract problems, kidney stress, and lethargy.
Let’s break down why dehydration happens, key warning signs to look for, and how to fix it with practical, vet-approved strategies.
How Common is Cat Dehydration?
Multiple studies have shown that:
Up to 60–70% of cats are mildly chronically dehydrated at any given time.
Cats need to consume about 50–60 mL of water per kg of body weight per day (roughly ¾ cup daily for a 10-lb cat).
When fed dry kibble alone, cats may get only 10% of their water requirement from food.
This means most cats are walking around under-hydrated every day—and most pet parents never notice until symptoms show.
Why Cats Get Dehydrated
There are four main causes:
1. Low-Moisture Diets
Dry kibble has 6–10% moisture, whereas wet food typically has 70–80% moisture.
That’s a massive difference—especially for an animal that rarely chooses to drink on their own.
2. Low Thirst Drive
Cats aren’t wired to drink standing water. Evolutionarily, they got hydration from prey (70–75% moisture).
3. Warm Environments or Activity
Indoor cats, especially in warm climates, lose more moisture through respiration and grooming.
4. Illness or Aging
Kidney disease, urinary infections, vomiting, and senior age increase hydration needs.
Warning Signs of Cat Dehydration
Some symptoms appear slowly, while others show up suddenly. Keep an eye out for:
Dry, tacky gums
Panting (rare but serious in cats)
Constipation or dry stools
Reduced elasticity in skin
(Gently pinch between shoulder blades—should snap back quickly. If it’s slow, that's a red flag.)Lethargy / sleeping more than usual
Reduced appetite
Sunken or dull-looking eyes
If you notice multiple symptoms, hydration needs to be addressed ASAP.
How to Keep Your Cat Properly Hydrated
1. Add More Moisture to Meals
The easiest and most natural way to support hydration— serve wet food as the primary diet. Wet meals not only help hydration but also support digestion and urinary tract health.
Pro tip: Look for real meat, high-quality ingredients, and minimal fillers.
Birdie & Louie meals (with 70–75% moisture) are a great example of hydration-friendly nutrition, especially compared to dehydrating kibble.
2. Offer Broth or Hydration Toppers
Unsalted bone broth or tuna broth helps increase water intake without forcing them to drink from a bowl.
(Avoid store-bought soups—they often contain onions or salt.)
Birdie & Louie’s wet meals naturally contain broth, so hydration is built right into every bite—no mixing or prep required.
3. Switch to Running Water
Many cats prefer moving water. Try:
A water fountain
Frequent bowl refills
Separate water stations away from food
4. Add Ice Cubes to Water
Some cats love cold, lightly flavored water—bonus hydration!
5. Keep Litter Boxes Extra Clean
Cats avoid dirty boxes, which means holding urine and risking dehydration-related UT issues.
When to Worry & See a Vet
Reach out to your vet if:
Dehydration symptoms don’t resolve
Your cat is vomiting or has diarrhea
You suspect kidney or urinary issues
Your cat stops eating altogether
Chronic dehydration is a major contributing factor in UTIs, kidney disease, and blockages, so early action matters.
What Hydration Looks Like (The Healthy Baseline)
A hydrated cat will:
Have moist pink gums
Show normal skin elasticity
Have regular bowel movements
Be energetic/playful
Produce appropriate urine volume (not overly concentrated)
Putting It All Together
Hydration isn’t just about water bowls, it’s about moisture-rich nutrition and smart environmental tweaks.
For most cats, the solution starts with high-moisture meals. That’s why Birdie & Louie meals are built around real ingredients + natural broth, helping solve a problem that 60–70% of cats live with daily.
It’s not a miracle cure, it’s just biologically appropriate nutrition, the way cats evolved to eat.