Glossary

Hydration

Keeping a cat's body supplied with enough water, which matters because cats drink little and are prone to urinary and kidney problems.

Also called: water intake, cat drinking, dehydration, how much water do cats need

Cats evolved from desert-dwelling ancestors and have a low thirst drive. In the wild they take in most of their water through prey, which is about 70 percent water. A cat fed only dry food gets much less moisture and must drink more to match, and it may not do enough. Poor hydration is linked with concentrated urine, which raises the risk of urinary crystals and stones, and with kidney problems.

You can help by feeding some wet food, see wet food, and by offering fresh water in several places. Many cats like wide, shallow bowls that do not touch their whiskers, ceramic or steel bowls and moving water from a fountain. Keep water away from the litter box and food. Wash bowls every day.

Know what is normal for your cat so you notice a change. Drinking much more than usual, passing large amounts of urine, or drinking less and seeming dull can be signs of kidney disease, diabetes or an overactive thyroid. Signs of dehydration include dry or tacky gums, sunken eyes and low energy. Call your vet promptly in any of these cases, rather than trying to treat the cat at home.

Last reviewed November 7, 2026

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Related terms

Wet food Cat food sold in cans, pouches or trays, containing roughly 70 to 80 percent water, which helps a cat get more fluid. Dry food Cat food baked or extruded into small pieces with about 10 percent water, convenient and shelf-stable but low in moisture. Senior diet Food marketed for older cats, which varies widely, so the right choice depends on the individual cat's weight, teeth and health. Prescription diet A food made to help manage a medical condition such as kidney disease or urinary crystals, fed only on a vet's advice. Mature cat A cat of about seven to ten years old, equivalent to a person in their mid-forties to fifties, when screening for age-related disease begins.

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