As another heatwave hits the UK this week, vets are warning cat owners to take extra care of their pets to keep them hydrated.
The hot weather can quickly lead to dehydration if cats aren’t drinking enough and as cats are more prone to bladder and kidney problems than other pets, it’s especially important to make sure they are well hydrated.
As we all know though, cats can be very particular and this is also true when it comes to drinking water, so one of our expert vets has shared her top tips to help pet owners ensure their cats are happy, healthy and hydrated over the weekend.
Dr Karlien Heyrman, Head of Pets at Pets at Home, said: “We all know the importance of keeping ourselves hydrated in hot weather, but many pet owners don’t realise how dangerous dehydration can be for cats – particularly elderly cats. Cats are also more prone to bladder and kidney problems than other pets, so it’s particularly important to make sure they are staying hydrated to support kidney function.
“Thankfully, there are some easy tips pet owners can follow to encourage their cats to drink more – in fact, one of the main reasons they don’t tend to drink enough is simply because they can be very particular about the way they drink!”
With highs of up to 37°C set to hit this weekend, experts from Pets at Home have shared their advice to keep cats healthy, happy and hydrated:
Try putting their water bowl in a different spot
Most cats don’t like having their water bowl right next to their food bowl, so try to separate them if you can.
And find your cat a quiet space where they can take their time to drink away from distractions such as children and other pets.
It’s best to use ceramic or stainless steel water bowls and most cats prefer their bowl to be wide, shallow and filled to the brim.
Give them options
Putting several water bowls throughout your home and garden will give cats plenty of opportunity to keep themselves hydrated, and it’s worth experimenting with different types of bowls to find your cat’s preference too.
Ideally, cats should have at least two water bowls in different areas of the home as some pets don’t like always drinking in the same place.
This is especially important if you’ve got more than one cat as they can be possessive over both their food and their drink.
Try running water
Some cats prefer to drink from running water, so it’s worth considering getting them a water fountain to drink from, so you can be sure they always have plenty of filtered water available.
Add water to their food
If you’re struggling to get your cat to drink, you can try offering wet food if you aren’t already and/or adding some water to their food to increase their intake.
The natural spring water from a tin of tuna also makes a tasty treat for cats to encourage them to drink more – you can even try freezing the spring water into ice cubes. Avoid giving them the liquid from tuna in brine or oil though, as this is too salty for them.
For more advice on looking after your cat during the heatwave, visit: https://www.petsathome.com/pet-talk/seasonal-advice/how-to-keep-cats-cool-in-summer
