Cat Drinking More Water Than Usual

If you’ve noticed your cat visiting the water bowl more often, drinking from unusual sources, or if you’re refilling the bowl more frequently, pay attention. Increased thirst (polydipsia) is one of the most important early warning signs of several common feline conditions.

What Could Be Causing It

• Kidney disease: The most common cause in older cats. Kidneys lose ability to concentrate urine

• Diabetes mellitus: High blood sugar causes increased thirst and urination

• Hyperthyroidism: Overactive thyroid (common in cats 7+)

• Urinary tract issues: Infections or inflammation

• Diet change: Switching from wet to dry food reduces water intake from food

• Medications: Some medications increase thirst as a side effect

How to Monitor

Measure how much water you put in the bowl each day and track how much remains. A cat drinking noticeably more than 200ml per day (for a 10lb cat) may be drinking excessively.

Next Steps

Increased drinking paired with increased urination, weight changes, or appetite changes warrants a vet visit. Blood work and urinalysis can quickly identify the cause. Early detection of kidney disease and diabetes leads to much better outcomes. See our Life Stages guide for senior health monitoring.

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