How to Get Your Cat to Drink More Water: 9 Vet-Backed Tips

By CozeCats · Last updated: October 31, 2026

Cats are famously unenthusiastic drinkers. Many owners notice that the water bowl barely seems to change from one day to the next, and in winter, when the heating is on and cats spend more time curled up, it can feel even more noticeable. The good news is that you do not need to force anything. Small changes to where, how and what you offer can make a real difference. This guide covers how much water cats need, why many cats drink so little, practical vet-backed ways to get your cat to drink more water, and when low water intake is a reason to call your veterinarian.

How much water does a cat need?

The Cornell Feline Health Center says cats need about 4 ounces of water per 5 pounds of lean body weight per day, so an average 10-pound cat needs about one cup of water daily. That total includes water from food, not just from the bowl.

That last part matters. Cornell explains that cats eating wet food, which can contain up to 80% water, may drink less, while cats eating dry food take more of their daily water by drinking. In its feeding guide, Cornell notes that canned food has a moisture content of at least 75 percent, while dry food contains between 6 and 10 percent water. So a cat on canned food that rarely visits the bowl may be perfectly well hydrated, while a cat on dry food that drinks very little may not be.

Why doesn’t my cat drink much water?

Not drinking much from a bowl is common and often normal, especially for cats on wet food. But several everyday factors can put cats off water:

• Stale or dirty water. Dust, hair and food bits in the bowl are unappealing. PetMD recommends refreshing water several times a day.
• A bad location. Bowls in noisy, busy spots, or right next to the litter box, may be avoided. PetMD suggests quiet, calm areas away from loud noises and other animals.
• Competition. Cornell notes that in multi-pet homes, one cat can effectively be “banned” from the bowl by another.
• The bowl itself. PetMD suggests trying ceramic or stainless steel instead of plastic, which may change how the water tastes.
• Preference for moving water. Some cats prefer running water, which is why many love dripping taps.

How to get your cat to drink more water: 9 tips

1. Add more wet food

Cornell names feeding wet food and/or adding water to food as a good way to increase water intake. The University of Minnesota Urolith Center also recommends canned diets for pets that need more water. Talk to your vet before a big diet change, because wet and dry foods differ in calories.

2. Add water to meals

Mixing a little extra water into wet food is one of the simplest tricks. The Minnesota Urolith Center also describes soaking dry food in water for pets that do not enjoy canned food. Start small so the texture change does not put your cat off.

3. Offer more than one water station

PetMD recommends placing several bowls throughout the house. More stations mean your cat is never far from water, and in multi-cat homes it reduces guarding.

4. Keep water away from food and litter

Choose quiet spots your cat already likes to rest in. Many cats will happily drink from a bowl near a favorite napping place but ignore one in a busy kitchen.

5. Refresh water often

Fresh water several times a day is PetMD’s advice. Wash bowls daily so they do not develop a film.

6. Try a pet water fountain

Cornell says some cats increase their water intake with fountains, though individual preferences vary. If you try one, keep it clean; PetMD stresses that fountains only help if the water stays fresh. Keep a plain bowl available too, in case your cat is unsure about the fountain.

7. Try a wide, shallow bowl

Cats can be particular about their dishes, and PetMD suggests experimenting with bowl material. It costs little to also try a wider, shallower dish and see which one your cat visits more.

8. Offer flavored water alongside plain water

Cornell says flavoring water with a small amount of water from a can of tuna or low-sodium chicken broth can prompt some cats to drink more. The Minnesota Urolith Center suggests offering flavored water while keeping regular water available, so your cat has a choice. Use plain broth with no added seasonings, and check with your vet first if your cat has a medical condition.

9. Make hydration part of the routine

Cats love routine. Serving a watery wet meal at the same times each day, after a short play session, can build a habit. Our guide to indoor cat enrichment has easy play ideas.

Does my cat need more water in winter?

Many homes are drier in winter when the heating runs, and cats tend to spend more time sleeping in warm spots. That does not change Cornell’s basic guideline, but it is a good season to check that water is easy to reach from your cat’s favorite resting places. If your cat has a favorite warm hideaway, such as a pop-up cat play tent lined with a soft Teddy Fleece Cat Pad, place a water bowl a few steps away so drinking does not require a long trip across a cold floor. You can browse our other cozy cat essentials too. For more cold-weather tips, see how to keep an indoor cat warm in winter.

How to tell if your cat is drinking enough

You do not need to measure every sip, but a few habits help:

• Measure the bowl. PetMD suggests measuring the water at the start and end of the day. Remember your cat may also drink from taps or other pets’ bowls.
• Watch the litter box. Note any big change in the number or size of urine clumps.
• Notice changes. A sudden drop in drinking, or a sudden increase, is more meaningful than one quiet day.

Drinking much more than usual can also be a sign of illness. If you are noticing the opposite problem, read why is my cat drinking so much water?

When to call your vet

Cornell advises contacting a veterinarian promptly if you are concerned your cat is dehydrated. PetMD recommends a vet visit if your cat still is not interested in water after you have tried these tips, or if low drinking comes with signs such as vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, lack of appetite, lethargy, open-mouth breathing or changes in litter box visits. Do not wait it out if your cat has stopped eating or seems unwell. Our guide to why cats throw up covers related warning signs.

Frequently asked questions

How much water should a cat drink a day?

Cornell says about 4 ounces per 5 pounds of lean body weight per day, about one cup for a 10-pound cat. Water in wet food counts toward that total.

Is it OK if my cat doesn’t drink water but eats wet food?

Often, yes. Wet food can contain up to about 80% water, so cats on canned diets may drink little. Contact your vet if you see signs of dehydration or illness.

Do cats prefer water fountains?

Some do. Cornell notes some cats drink more with a fountain, but preferences vary. Keep a plain bowl available too, and clean the fountain regularly.

Can I add broth to my cat’s water?

Cornell says a small amount of low-sodium chicken broth or tuna water can encourage some cats to drink. Use plain broth without seasonings and keep plain water available as well.

Should cat water be away from food?

Many owners find cats drink more from bowls in quiet spots away from food and the litter box, and PetMD recommends calm locations and several bowls around the home.

Keep reading

• Why is my cat drinking so much water?
• How much should I feed my cat?
• How to keep an indoor cat warm in winter
• Senior cat care guide

Sources

• Cornell Feline Health Center: Hydration
• Cornell Feline Health Center: Feeding Your Cat
• University of Minnesota Urolith Center: How to increase water intake in pets
• PetMD: How to Get Cats to Drink Water

This article is general information, not veterinary advice. If you are worried about your cat’s health, contact your veterinarian.