Cats and water: the quiet hydration problem

Cats evolved to get most of their water from prey, which is around 70% moisture. A dry kibble diet is roughly 8%, so a dry-fed cat has to actively drink far more to break even — and most do not fully compensate.

Chronic mild under-hydration is a plausible contributor to urinary disease, and it makes early kidney disease harder to detect until concentrating ability is already lost.

Practical fixes are unglamorous but effective: add wet food to at least one meal, use wide shallow bowls away from the food, offer multiple water stations, and try a fountain — many cats prefer moving water.

Watch for increased thirst too. A cat suddenly drinking noticeably more is a reason to test for kidney disease, hyperthyroidism and diabetes, not a reason to be reassured.

The Water Requirement Calculator gives a maintenance estimate in mL per day so you have a number to compare against.