Increasing water consumption by feeding increased amounts of canned food or feeding a dry diet formulated with additional salt. It has been shown that salt significantly increases water intake and urine production. Salt has not been shown to contribute to hypertension or renal disease in healthy cats.
Canned food should be offered to kittens from weaning, as taste and consistency preferences are established early in life. Adapting the cat to canned food later in life may be impossible.
Multiple small meals may help. It has been suggested that, for a given energy level, the water intake significantly increases by increasing meal frequency.
It is essential to provide easy access to fresh water at all times. Cats are nocturnal and may prefer to drink in the evening.
Many cats appear to prefer a bowl with a wide surface area. The water bowl should be kept full at all times. Cats have very sensitive whiskers, and many seem to prefer a large bowl in which the whiskers do not touch the sides of the bowl.
Various water types (Brita, distilled, bottled, warm tap water, cold tap water) can be offered.
Do not sweeten the water as cats lack sweet taste receptors (have defective Tas 1r2). Flavouring the water or providing ice cubes flavoured with tuna or clam juice may help encourage water consumption. Some companies (Flavorix) offer different flavours to add to the drinking water to encourage water consumption.
Some cats prefer a source of running water (water fountains are available for cats).
Keeping food and water bowls away from the litter box area is essential. The water bowl must be clean (cats have a keen sense of smell and are easily turned off by odours on the edge of the bowl).
Some cats prefer a clear glass bowl; others stainless steel or ceramic. Some cats prefer not to share their bowl (especially with dogs).
