Compared to dogs, cats drink less water. In general, adult cats should consume anywhere between 5 to 10 fluid ounces of water per day, depending on their size, activity level, type of food and other factors, such as overall health and ambient temperature. If you feed your cat dry kibble, then they may drink closer to 10 ounces per day, and if you feed them canned food, they may drink closer to 5 ounces because of canned food's high moisture content.

Signs Your Cat is Drinking Too Much

If a cat is drinking too much, pet parents may notice that they're cleaning out the litter box more often, or that the cat is suddenly hanging out by the water bowl all the time. Many of the reasons a cat will drink too much are the same as in dogs; however, the most common reasons are kidney disease, diabetes, cancer and hyperthyroidism. If you're noticing lakes in the litterbox or your cat is draining the water bowl, make an appointment to get your cat checked out by your vet as soon as possible.

How Do You Know If Your Pet Is Getting Enough Water?

Other than measuring the amount of water your dog or cat is drinking, you can watch for signs that your pet is hydrated. A well-hydrated dog or cat has good skin elasticity (if you pull up on their skin, it flattens down immediately); pink, moist gums, bright, shiny eyes and good energy levels. A hydrated dog's or cat's urine is usually odorless and pale yellow or clear.

A dehydrated dog or cat may be lethargic, their eyes may look sunken or dull, their saliva is sticky or rope-like, their gums are darker and dry and their skin elasticity is reduced. Urine of a dehydrated dog or cat with normal kidneys smells strong and can be dark yellow; however, the urine of dogs or cats with kidney disease can be clear even with dehydration. Severe dehydration can be fatal, so offer small amounts of water and call your vet immediately.

What to Do If Your Dog or Cat Isn't Drinking Enough

Some dogs and cats won't drink enough, even if you provide all the water they will ever need. Cats are particularly notorious for this, and if your cat isn't hydrating properly, you will need to step in and help to prevent problems associated with dehydration. Try these tips:

For cats: Try a water fountain. Some cats don't like drinking out of a bowl and instead prefer drinking from moving water. You can purchase cat drinking fountains online or at most pet stores.

Serve water at room temperature instead of cold.