Is Your Cat Drinking More Than Usual?

Cats are very good at hiding illness.

That means one of the first things you notice may not be an obvious sign that your cat is unwell. Sometimes, it's simply a small change in their normal routine.

One of those changes is drinking more water than usual.

It can be difficult to spot, particularly if your cat drinks outdoors, has multiple water bowls around the house, or you have multiple cats. But if you've noticed that you're filling the bowl more often, your cat is drinking from unusual places, or you're seeing larger or more frequent urine clumps in the litter tray, it's worth paying attention.

What can increased thirst mean?

Increased drinking can have a number of causes. Some are relatively straightforward, while others require investigation.

It can be associated with conditions including:

• Kidney disease
• Diabetes
• Hyperthyroidism
• Urinary tract problems
• Certain medications
• Other underlying illnesses

This doesn't mean that a cat drinking more definitely has one of these conditions. But a persistent change in drinking or urination is something we would recommend checking.

What else should you look out for?

You may also notice:

• Weight loss
• Increased or decreased appetite
• More frequent urination
• Larger amounts of urine
• Vomiting
• Changes in energy levels
• Poor coat condition
• Changes in behaviour

Sometimes there are no other obvious signs at all.

That's why paying attention to your cat's normal behaviour is so important.

Cats are experts at hiding illness

Cats evolved to hide signs of weakness, and many will continue eating, grooming and behaving relatively normally even when something is wrong.

By the time a cat is obviously unwell, the underlying problem may have been developing for some time.

If you've noticed a change in your cat, don't wait for them to become visibly ill before asking for advice.

We can check your cat at home

At Tribe Vets, we see cats in the comfort of their own homes, where they are often much more relaxed than they would be travelling to a veterinary practice.

If we're concerned about an underlying problem, we can talk you through the next steps, which may include blood or urine testing.

If you've noticed that your cat is drinking more, urinating differently, losing weight or simply isn't quite themselves, we'd recommend booking an appointment.

You know your cat best. If something has changed, it's worth checking.

Book an appointment with Tribe Vets today -  we'd much rather investigate a small change early than wait until your cat becomes unwell.