Why do cats drink so little water…and why this is safe until it isn’t

Apr 20, 2026

Do you ever see your cat at the water bowl? How much water should your cat drink? Should you give your cat canned food? All of these are questions that can be answered by traveling back over 10,000 years to when cats were first domesticated. But before we go back in time, let’s first talk about how much water some different species drink.

The Near Eastern Wildcat (aka African Wildcat), the domestic cat’s ancestor, gets the majority of their water from prey. The average house cat requires approximately 1 cup of water per day. This is why the debate over canned food vs. dry food is somewhat of a heated topic. More to come later this week!

Fun fact…the kangaroo rat never has to drink water, getting its water from the super power ability to “make” water from the seeds they eat and special noses that absorb water from their breath as they exhale. On the other end of the spectrum are hummingbirds who can drink well over 100% of their body weight in water daily. That would be like a 150 pound human drinking 18 gallons of water in a day!

What is domestication…why cats let us live with them and dogs need to live with us

Apr 21, 2026

Cats were domesticated 10-12,000 years ago. However, unlike dogs, which were used for jobs and bred for a function, cats domesticated themselves, joining humans for their own benefit – to eat mice that came along with people and grain storage. Some would say they are “tame” not domesticated. Descending from the Near Eastern Wildcat (aka African Wildcat), cats were first found in what is now considered the Middle East. As desert animals, cats evolved to obtain most of their hydration from prey which, like canned food, is 70% water. Having a low “thirst drive” was necessary for survival, but also allowed cats to be up to 4% dehydrated before experiencing the desire to drink. While necessary in the wild for immediate survival, this also stresses the kidneys.

Reality check…African Wildcats live an average of 10 years, a much shorter lifespan than we desire for our family felines. We can do better and water is part of that solution. This is why incorporating canned food into your cat’s diet, even as an occasional treat, can make a real difference.

What makes Garfield different from a Wildcat

Apr 22, 2026

Over time species adapt to their environment. For example, domesticated cats’ brains are genetically wired to be less fearful, less solitary, and more receptive to learning (taming) compared to their wild counterparts who are known for living isolated in larger territories. The ability to live in a dehydrated state puts greater stress on your family cat’s kidneys and can predispose them to bladder irritation, stones, and kidney disease. This is why observing a household cat drinking more water or even water at all may be a very early sign of disease and require discussion with your veterinarian.

Fun fact…the cartoon character Garfield had an infatuation for lasagna, supposedly because he was born in an Italian restaurant. Garfield has been in production since 1978 and was a favorite of mine as a child…I am showing my age, did you make the connection from the picture?

Is canned food really better? Cats are just not good water drinkers

Apr 23, 2026

The typical cat drinks 1 cup of water a day. If eating dry kibble, they are only getting 10% moisture from their food necessitating them to drink more water. Canned food on the other hand is up to 75% moisture, similar to their ancestral prey (ex. mice) and a more natural source of water for them.

Switching from dry to canned food is one of the most effective ways to respect a cat’s natural biology. Canned food is a natural source of water, more closely matching the prey of their ancestors in both water and protein content, is typically more palatable, and may help prevent obesity, urinary tract disease, and diabetes. Questions about your cat’s diet? Give us a call or ask at your next visit.

Fun fact….While tin cans were invented in 1810, the can opener was not invented until 1858. Good thing or we would still be using bayonets, hammers, or chisels to open our feline friends’ daily meal.

Tips on getting your kitty to drink water

Apr 24, 2026

To end our week of water and cats, here is a nice handout that gives some tips on getting your kitty to drink water.