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Unlike dogs, some cats may be able to go into remission from the disease if managed appropriately. In most cases, these tests are enough to get to a diagnosis. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Excessive thirst is a symptom of numerous medical conditions in cats, both physical and mental. Your cat drinking too much water and meowing will usually mean that something is amiss. Oh well. Read on to find out more. A temporary thirst is common in cats when they are overexerted from exercise, excited from playing, or when there is a change in diet. Biannual to yearly blood work (depending on the age of your cat) is recommended to help detect early kidney damage. Diabetes can have very serious consequences if gone untreated or unmanaged. If your cat is sleeping every time the pet sitter visits and the sitter just refreshes the food and water and gives the required insulin, this cat could be on their way to a diabetic crisis. Some pharmacies, we are told, will sell only 1 pen at a time. If your cat is addicted to dry foods, there are probably decent dry diets out there but we still wish you could convert your cat to a wet diet. You can set up a pet camera to help you keep track. This then causes dehydration. If your cat suddenly starts drinking substantially more, it could indicate a health problem. Hyperthyroidism is the most common cause of increased thirst in cats. They are wrong. from drinking out of the toilet, of course, is to simply close the lid. There are many possible causes of dehydration, one of which we already discussed: hot weather. She has a passion for soft tissue surgery, ultrasound, and canine and feline dentistry, having completed additional training in these areas. If sudden kidney failure results from such poisons, you may see excessive thirst as the first sign. Welcome to Learn About Pet. If you dont find a likely explanation above and even if you do, keep a careful watch its time to turn to more serious matters. Other symptoms to look out for include weight loss and lethargy. Cats are fastidious eaters and as a rule carefully inspect food before eating unlike their see-it, eat-it canine companions. So keep your diabetic cats routine as stable as possible while youre away. b. Kidney disease or kidney failure. Hypercalcemia. That said, if you have any concerns about this, then you should book an appointment with your local vet for a check-up. Cats with urinary tract infections or crystals can often be treated with antibiotics or diet changes. It is often helpful to your veterinarian if you can bring a urine sample along to the appointment, which may save a step in the diagnosis. If your cat seems extra thirsty and is always hungry, they might have hyperthyroidism. Or is there a medical condition you need to worry about? If you notice your cat drinking a lot of water, much more water than he used to, this may be a cause for concern. While it's often the first obvious symptom of a problem, it's usually accompanied by other symptoms. The excess glucose spills out through the kidneys into the urine, taking water with it. Heres how it works. Research has shown that early treatment with Lantus gives the best possibility of remission. Changes in your cats thirst might not seem serious, especially if your feline friend is acting well and has no other symptoms. Liver (hepatic) disease. Is it going up or down over a period of a few weeks or months? drowsiness and fatigue. ExcitedCats is reader-supported. But its worth discussing with your vet. This should happen in less than 2 seconds. Note that not all cats show all of these signs, and a small number are rather quiet and withdrawn. If theyre well, its also worth keeping an eye on their thirst for a few days to see if it settles and monitoring them for other symptoms. Any changes in routine can cause them dangerous stress. She may also be older and not able to reach the water bowl or there may be something wrong with her kidneys. Thats completely normal. And what symptoms might you notice that indicate a possible medical cause for your cats increased thirst? Keeping track of how often your cat visits the water bowl can help you get an idea if they are drinking more than normal. If your cat is drinking a lot and has diarrhea, it might just mean that they are replacing the fluid they have lost in their poop. You can find more information on the pros and cons of dry cat food and wet cat food in our vet's guide to dry vs wet cat food. What is going on? Passing more water means drinking more water. Remember, you can encourage your cat to drink more using running water like taps or water fountains. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'learnaboutpet_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_5',157,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-learnaboutpet_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); Its not uncommon for cats to drink more water than usual. Ifyour diabetic animalwill be in a pet sittersor kennels care, make sure the caretakers will call your vet if there is any change in behavior, such as: A pet sitter should spend at least 1 hour twice a day in your home. Is drinking more water normal for older cats? You should therefore rush your cat to the vet in case you notice this. This involves taking a pinprick of blood every hour or so to see how much sugar is in the blood. Uremia, which is the life-threatening buildup of toxins and waste in the blood, develops and causes severe clinical signs. If your cat is extra thirsty, theyll probably also use the litter box or pee outside more than normal. Hyperthyroidism is a serious disease that can affect cats more commonly than you might realize. Therefore, if you notice your cat is peeing on the floor, soaking the litter box, or if your cat is always thirsty, it's time to visit your veterinarian. Some medications, such as steroids and diuretics, may also cause a cat to drink more. Lets do the math to answer that question in more detail. This is an older cat's disease. This is a response to increased urine output, as failing kidneys lose the ability to concentrate urine. At the first sign of minor dehydration or a decrease in water consumption, a few small changes can make a big difference in your cat's healthand prevent an emergency trip to the vet. From time to time, monitoring is necessary to check if the insulin dose is correct. We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices, How to reduce your dog's anxiety on walks, drunk a substantial amount of water since they were a kitten, Three home remedies for dog allergies (and they're all pretty simple), Can dogs be allergic to grass? In the article below, well walk you through some of the most common causes of increased thirst in cats. Your cat may be drinking more water because they are dehydrated or behind in its fluid consumption. Stick the furry face in some food and pop in the tiny amount of insulin, and its over. To see if there could be a simple explanation, lets start with some facts: A cat body will meet its needs by drawing from the water drunk, from other liquid treats such as cat milk or gravy, and from water in food. Note that not all cats show all of these signs, and a small number are rather quiet and withdrawn. Unlike the kidney cases with their picky appetite, these cats are generally bright and with a good or a hearty appetite, though they may be losing weight. 2023 Petful / Super Copy Editors LLC. Watch your cat for signs of heatstroke including: If the only sign your cat is exhibiting is increased thirst but is not exhibiting any of the above signs, heat stroke is a less likely cause. Its most often seen in older cats, though in Persians and occasionally in Himalayans and British Shorthairs a hereditary condition called polycystic kidney disease can cause mid-life problems. Fancy Feast Chunky Chicken or Turkey is a good food for a diabetic cat. As cats age, their kidney function decreases. Though the chronic in the title means this condition develops slowly, the signs may seem to appear quite suddenly. Your vet will likely recommend bloodwork, urine testing, and blood pressure if there is concern for compromised kidneys. That said, the. You may see your cat making more frequent visits to the litter tray, or leaving larger volumes in the tray. Dr Hannah Godfrey is a small animal vet who graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2011 and began work straight away at a busy mixed practice. The same goes for the newly diagnosed diabetic cat. Cats eating dry food drink more to make up for the lack of water in their food. We took him to the veterinarian. These are all signs of feline hyperthyroidism. Cats will generally drink about 4 ounces of water per 5 pounds of body weight. They may recommend ultrasound or other forms of diagnostic imaging. Cats that do not eat well and those with diabetes will drink more water than normal. As blood sugar levels rise, the cat will become thirstier and will need to urinate more often. Dr Hannah Godfrey studied Veterinary Medicine at the Royal Veterinary College London. Get the best advice, tips and top tech for your beloved Pets. Their water bowl emptying quicker than usual. When shes not helping animals back on their feet, Dr Godfrey writes a number of veterinary and animal-focussed articles. University of Florida (Clinical year); The trick is to tempt them with something new and different, most probably fresh meat or a tasty treat. Home testing is preferable because the cat is usually less stressed. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. There are many possible reasons why a cat may suddenly start drinking more water, including diabetes: Increased thirst is a very common symptom of diabetes in cats. Proper diabetes care for a cat allows many patients to lead normal lives. The sodium in your cat's food may be higher than the previous one, causing extra thirst. Cats with diabetes often need to change to a canned, high-protein diet. So, its worth seeking veterinary help if your cat has symptoms of being unwell or their usual habits have changed. However, if the problem persists past a few weeks, you should take your cat to the vet to rule out other causes. Your Cat Seems Disoriented Some aging cats may seem lost or confused in a familiar environment. A few more ideas if youre looking to save money on Lantus: Immediately after diagnosis, ask your vet for 2 estimates for stabilization and for ongoing costs so you understand the financial implications. He has forgotten that his can of Purina . Our team knows that the potential causes for why your cat is drinking a lot of water can vary in severity, and we also know how important is to make sure you know the reason why theyre doing this. Talk with your vet if you want to try the insulin pen. Drinking more is usually the first and principal sign of Diabetes Mellitus. They include underlying medical conditions such as diabetes. They will also need to have an insulin plan, along with regular blood sugar monitoring. ALWAYS GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR PERSONAL VETERINARIAN AND USE INFORMATION HERE AS GENERAL ADVICE. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Changes in water intake caused by a medication should go away as soon as your pet is off the medication as instructed by your veterinarian. Other medical conditions can also lead to your cat becoming dehydrated. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice, food recommendation, diagnosis, or treatment. Kitties with hyperthyroidism are often treated with methimazole to control thyroid function. You can also get a water bowl with measurements marked on the side, or a smart water fountain to measure how much water your pet drinks: Water bowl behavior can be important to note as well. My name is Rajkumar Ravichandran and I love all pets, travel, and amazing food. Talking about why your cat has recently been drinking a whole lot of water, what about when it comes to why is my cat drinking a lot of water and not eating? This means they may return to being a normal, non-diabetic cat. The latter is a condition called acromegaly, which afflicts around 25% of cat diabetics and can make their care more difficult. Keep in mind that some cats prefer running water, so if your cat has always preferred to drink out of the sink, this is likely normal behaviour for them. If we catch the illness early, a diabetic cat will stop drinking tons of water, have a normal amount of energy and lead a happy life. But its always best to have any change in your pets behavior checked out by your veterinarian. Youre not alone if youve experienced this problem. Delaying therapy can lead to severe and potentially life-threatening consequences. If they have always drunk a substantial amount of water since they were a kitten, it's less concerning than if there is a sudden change in their thirst. (7 Interesting Facts), Can Sheep Live Alone? Keep reading! But take things a step at a time, and the problems shrink down to size. This could be a sign of pain or various other serious medical issues including kidney disease, diabetes, and hyperthyroidism. If your cat is drinking a lot of water and there urinating more frequently, they may be experiencing early signs of kidney disease. After all, every condition that makes your cat need to drink more will also make them need to pee more often. Your vet and staff should give you all the help you need when learning how to give insulin to your cat. Be prepared for some trial and error. If your cat is drinking excessively and meowing, it could mean they have hyperthyroidism. If you have recently noticed your cat drinking a lot of water, its only natural to become concerned. Fur. Even well-regulated diabetics, particularly cats, experience stress when their family leaves. The cost has skyrocketed lately. Its often better news than kidney failure or liver failure in many cases. It's often better news than kidney failure or liver failure in many cases. Conditions that can cause excessive thirst might also cause changes in your cats appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, vocalization, or even breathing problems. Home monitoring is certainly not for everyone, or every cat. Hes often looking scruffy with a matted coat, perhaps growing long, thick nails, and more vocal positively yowling sometimes. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) may also cause a cat to drink more water. The ancestors of our domestic cats evolved in the desert, able to survive by catching their prey and with limited water resources. Cats with kidney disease often have other signs such as weight loss, poor appetite, vomiting and diarrhea. Hyperthyroidism can be treated in various ways, including medication and surgery. These cuddly cats have an unfortunately habit of storing fat inside insulin-producing cells, which smothers their ability to produce vital insulin. By the way, 10 great vets will treat feline diabetes in 10 great, but different, ways. Cats drink a lot of water because they are trying to flush out the toxins from their ailing bodies. After all, it doesnt take long for dehydration to set in if your cat has vomiting or diarrhea. That said, the main reason your cat may be behaving in this manner is due to adverse health conditions like diabetes and kidney complications. However, drinking a lot of water over time (polydypsia) can also be a sign of a medical condition. What's Normal These are more common in middle-aged or senior cats. During an exam, your vet will ask a lot of questions about your cats behavior, changes in their health status or patterns, and anything else that might be affecting their water consumption. (11 Interesting Health Facts), Maine Coon Mix : (21 Interesting Facts!) If your cat is drinking more and peeing outside of the litter tray, there are a variety of health conditions that could be causing the symptoms. This article was last updated Dec. 7, 2018. Cats with urinary tract infections also tend to drink more water than normal. Below Are Signs Of Advanced Kidney Failure, Known As Uncompensated Kidney Failure: At this point, the kidneys can't compensate for their loss of function. Furthermore, the increased water intake and frequent urination associated with cats who are dying of kidney failure is known as uremia.
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