Cats are fascinating creatures with their headstrong personalities and quirky habits. However, there are some habits that you should pay more attention to than others and it can be a cause for concern if your cat drinks or urinates a lot more than normal. This could be an indication of illness or another type of behavioral change that should be investigated further. In this article, we will take a closer look at some possible reasons why your cat is drinking or urinate a lot and what you as the owner can do.
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What is normal behavior for a cat?
Before we get into what could be causing the changes in your cat's behavior, it's good to know what's normal for your kitty. Cats are usually clean animals that like to stay clean and dry. They typically drink 20–50 ml of fluid per kilogram of body weight per day and urinate one to four times a day, depending on their size and diet.
Possible reasons why the cat drinks or urinates a lot
If your cat suddenly drinks more water than usual, there could be many reasons. It is not uncommon for increased drinking and thirst to be a result of illness or health problems. Especially if your cat is also urinating a lot more than usual, it could be an indication that something is wrong. Some of the most common reasons we see are:
kidney problems
Kidney failure and kidney disease are not uncommon in cats and often result in excessive drinking. If your cat has kidney problems, they will likely also show other symptoms such as poor appetite, weight loss, nausea and vomiting.
You can read more about kidney failure in cats here.
Diabetes
Another common cause of excessive drinking in cats is diabetes. With diabetes, the cat will also often exhibit other symptoms such as weight loss, increased appetite, and frequent visits to the vet.
dehydration
If your cat is dehydrated, they will also drink more water than usual to try to compensate for the loss of body fluids. Dehydration can be caused by a number of factors, such as hot weather, diarrhea, or vomiting.
Bladder disease and urinary tract infection in cats
Cats rarely suffer from bacterial urinary tract infections and this mainly occurs in older cats. However, they are more likely to develop feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), a collective term for diseases of the lower urinary tract in cats. FLUTD is particularly common in overweight neutered male cats. The most common conditions associated with FLUTD include crystals, urinary stones, urinary plugs and sterile/“stress-induced” cystitis (FIC). FIC is the most common type of cystitis in cats.
The causes of FLUTD can be many but the most common include:
- Feeding: A diet high in certain salts can form crystals and uroliths in the urine.
- Behaviour/environment: Inactivity, stress/anxiety and reduced fluid intake can cause crystals to form more quickly in concentrated urine.
- Overweight: This applies especially to neutered male cats.
- pH changes in the urine: Crystals form in either acidic or basic urine.
Symptoms of urinary tract problems in cats:
- Frequent splashing in and outside the cat litter.
- Meowing and straining when they try to urinate.
- Blood in the urine.
- Excessive licking of the penis or stomach area.
- Aggressiveness or restlessness.
- Decreased appetite and general lethargy.
Bladder diseases such as idiopathic cystitis can also cause frequent urination and pain. This is a condition where the bladder becomes inflamed for no apparent reason. Cats suffering from this condition may also show signs of pain or discomfort when urinating.
Do we have to go to the vet if the cat drinks or urinates a lot?
Given that more frequent drinking and urinating can be a sign of illness, sometimes serious, treatment is often necessary. Prompt treatment is also crucial for a good prognosis and recovery, and we recommend that everyone see a veterinarian if your cat shows a change in drinking or urinating habits.
If you are in Larvik and the surrounding area, you can easily book an appointment online at our veterinary clinic.
What happens at the vet?
When we bring your cat in, we will perform a physical examination of the kitty. We may also take blood and urine tests to determine what is causing the symptoms. Treatment will depend on the cause of the symptoms and whether the condition is acute or chronic.
If your cat has a urinary tract infection, it is usually appropriate to prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. If your cat is suffering from a bladder disease such as idiopathic cystitis, painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications may be prescribed to relieve symptoms. In the case of diabetes, kidney failure or other diseases, other medical treatment or possibly surgery may be needed.
Worth remembering about drinking and urinating habits in cats
A balanced diet and the right cat food is important for keeping your cat's organs healthy and functioning properly and for overall good health. It is also important to ensure that your cat always has access to fresh water. For some cats, a the drinking fountain can be a useful accessory to get enough fluids. Other important preventive measures to avoid problems with the bladder and urinary tract are choosing the right feed that is intended for the urinary tract, dieting if the cat is overweight and frequent emptying of the cat toilet. It is also a good idea to have several water sources available and change the water regularly to make it more inviting to drink.
It's also worth noting that older cats are more prone to developing diabetes and kidney, urinary tract and bladder problems, so you should pay extra attention if you have a senior cat so that you can quickly spot any behavioral changes and symptoms.
