Kittens bring a lot of happy moments into our life, but in return cat parents should provide all the resources pets need, in order to stay healthy and active. Kittens and cats are opportunistic drinkers and do not consume much water. However, being dehydrated might cause serious health issues in cats. In this article, we will answer the question why your kitten does not drink water, and how you can encourage your fluffy ball to take more regular trips to their water bowls.
Reason #1: A sign of a serious disease
If your kitten has changed their drinking habits, refusal to drink water it might be a sign of disease in your pet. Moreover, if you have also noticed changes in the kitty’s usual behavior, or other alarming symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea, visit your vet for further investigation.
Reason #2: Place of water bowls
For cats, the place of their water bowl plays a huge role. A bowl being near their litter box, another bowl with food, or in a place your pet does not like the smell of, these might all be a reason why your kitten does not drink water.
Experienced cat owners advise you to place a water bowl in different places in your house: near the kitty’s bowl with food, window sills, near places where kittens like to rest, etc. and your friend will decide by themselves where they would like to consume water.
Reason #3: Materials of water bowls
Your kitty might also have preferences as to the material of their water bowls. Some pets will prefer to drink water from glass bowls, while others will love ceramic or metal ones. If your kitten does not drink water, experiment with bowls made from different materials and see which one your kitten will choose.
Reason #4: Color of water bowls
Kitties can be fussy and refuse to drink water because… of the color of the water bowls. It might be worth having few water bowls of various colors to experiment with, and then you can see if the color has been the reason why your fur baby does not drink their water.
Reason #5: Kittens dislike water bowls
Kitty owners can choose from a vast variety of water bowls available on the market. However, if your kitten refuses to drink from water bowls, and you have experimented with their size, colors, and material, then your pet might not be interested in the bowls themselves. You can consider purchasing a water fountain that might catch the attention of your pet, who will be willing to start drinking from it even because of running water, or something new that has appeared in their nearest surroundings.
Reason #6: Water is not fresh
Observe your kitten and their preferences, and you will get the answer to your question why your kitten does not drink much. Freshness of water is a key issue cat owners should take care of, particularly during hot summer days. Offering fresh water might encourage your kitten to drink more and avoid dehydration in pets.
Wash your kitty’s water bowls regularly, whilst avoiding using strong detergents. You can wash bowls in water and then treat them with boiling water.
Reason #7: Time when your kitten drinks
During the day, kittens might be more interested in what is going on outside, or accompanying their cat parents. Your fluffy ball can drink water when you sleep and you cannot control their behavior and water consumption.
Reason #8: Wet food
Cats are not big water drinkers by nature, and if your fur baby’s diet includes wet food, then they will require a smaller water intake, as wet food satisfies their needs.
A kitten does not drink water: FAQs
Why doesn’t my kitten drink water?
Your kitten might not drink water because of the various reasons we have discussed above. However, if you notice alarming signals such as your kitty being less active, has changed their appetite, started to have diarrhea or vomiting, and your kitten does not drink for more than 24 hours, contact your vet to check your fur baby’s health.
How to get my kitten to drink more water?
Experiment with where the water bowls are situated, their colors and/or material, sizes and forms. Consider purchasing a water fountain if your kitten is not interested in any water bowls.
Can I give milk instead of water to my kitten?
No, you cannot replace water with milk, because kittens and cats are lactose intolerant.
How long can my kitten go without water?
Your pet should not be left without water for any longer than 24 hours.
Kittens and their drinking habits – final thoughts
The reasons your fluffy ball does not consume water can vary, and might be trivial, such as the water bowl’s placement or color, or it could indicate health-related issues. Experiment with the ways your kitty drinks, the water bowls and water itself. However, if you are concerned about your kitty’s behavior, it’s safer to visit your vet.
