Feeding & Nutrition
My Cat Won't Eat: Common Causes and What to Do
Why cats stop eating, safe ways to tempt appetite at home, and the warning signs that mean it is time to call the vet.
Cat Water Intake Calculator
Cats often drink less than they should. Enter your cat's weight and diet type to estimate total daily water needs, how much comes from food, and how much should come from the bowl.
Interactive Calculator
Estimate Daily Water Needs
Uses the common ~55 ml per kg per day guideline and typical food moisture. Cats vary—watch the bowl, not just the number.
Should drink about
— ml/day from the bowl
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Your result appears here
Enter your cat's weight and diet type, then tap Calculate water needs. We'll estimate total daily water and how much should come from drinking.
How Much Water Does a Cat Need?
- A widely used guideline is about 50–60 ml of total water per kilogram of body weight per day, from all sources—bowl, food, and everything the cat laps up.
- Wet food is roughly 75–80% water, so cats on wet diets drink much less from the bowl; dry food is only about 10% water.
- Cats evolved as desert animals with a weak thirst drive, which is why many cats on dry diets chronically under-drink.
- Water fountains, wide bowls, and multiple water stations often raise intake for cats that ignore a single bowl.
- A sudden increase in drinking can signal kidney disease or diabetes—more drinking than usual is worth a vet call, not celebration.
This calculator gives a starting estimate, not a target to force. Healthy cats self-regulate within a range; what matters is spotting changes in your own cat's normal pattern.
Frequently Asked Questions
My cat barely drinks. Is that a problem?
Not if the cat eats wet food—most of its water arrives in the food. A cat on dry food that drinks almost nothing is worth watching more closely and tempting with fountains or extra water bowls.
Why does my cat prefer running water?
Many cats instinctively distrust still water and find moving water more appealing and easier to see. A fountain is a legitimate fix for a picky drinker.
Can cats drink milk instead of water?
No. Most adult cats are lactose intolerant, and milk commonly causes digestive upset. Fresh water is the only everyday drink a cat needs.
How much water is too much?
Drinking noticeably more than your cat's normal—especially with more urination or weight loss—deserves a vet check, since increased thirst is a classic early sign of kidney disease and diabetes.
NewsPetCats offers general cat care information, not veterinary advice.
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