Some common reasons why your cat won't drink include underlying health conditions, the cleanliness of the water, the location of the bowl, or external stressors (such as a move or new pet in the household).
If you notice that your cat isn't drinking any water then it's time to look into why. There may be an underlying health condition, the water may not be fresh enough or the location of the bowl could all be potential reasons why your cat isn't drinking enough.
Although kittens drink their mother's milk until she weans them as early as four weeks old, they also need water. After weaning, most kittens lose the ability to digest milk sugar efficiently, so their primary source of hydration is water.
8 weeks is very young, and kittens can easily get dehydrated. Not drinking water and not using the litter box can be symptoms of serious conditions. He could have anything from kidney problems to a bowel obstruction (depending on what 'use the litter box' means). He may be fine, but he may not be.
Don't worry too much about a cat's water consumption. It's not unusual for a cat fed wet food to drink a teaspoonful of water a day or less. The moisture content of the cat food is usually sufficient. If he ate dry food you would probably find that he would naturally compensate by drinking more.
Switch to a wet food diet. Try placing bowls of water through the house, typically where the cat likes to be. Refill water bowls regularly. If she still won't drink, try flavoring the water with a little juice from can of tuna or low sodium chicken broth.
There could be a few potential reasons:
Water cleanliness—Like humans, felines don't want to drink filthy water. Check their bowl to see whether the water is clear of hair, food, dust bunnies, or debris. Clean the bowl regularly and replace the water at least once a day to ensure it's clean and fresh.
Dust, fur, or bacteria in the bowl may cause your cat to avoid drinking from it. The water bowl is not in a cat-friendly place. Cats are creatures of habit, so they may not appreciate it if you change the location of their bowls.
An illness could be causing a lack of appetite
Anything from a clogged nose to intestinal cat parasites, cat constipation or an upset tummy can contribute to your kitten not eating. This is why it's very important to ask for professional help if your kitten is not eating.
Luckily, there is another easy way to get quick information about your cat's hydration status. With your cat sitting on your lap, gently lift the skin between their shoulder blades and then let go. The skin should go back into place quickly. However, in dehydrated cats, the skin may take longer to return to normal.
Cats with dental infections, inflammation in the mouth or gastrointestinal disease may avoid drinking water due to the discomfort it causes them. Cats with underlying health issues may be more likely to become dehydrated, especially those with kidney issues, hyperthyroidism, some cancers and diabetes.
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.
One way to check if your cat is dehydrated is to gently lift their lip and touch their gums. Just like human gums, they should be wet and slimy. If they are dry to the touch and seem a little tacky, your cat is most likely dehydrated.
As your cat is eating wet food, it is likely she is getting much of her water intake from her diet, whereas cats that mainly have a dry diet will often drink more water. Here's a good guide to how much water a cat should drink each day: Kitten up to three months (1.4kg) – 70ml.
Most kittens and adult cats will be able to self regulate how much fluid they need, so all you need to do is to ensure there is a constant supply of clean water. Cat's should be allowed to drink whenever they want to and have access to water at all times.
Generally speaking, it's not a good idea to offer cats milk. The best drink by far to help keep your cat hydrated is water, although as you'll see below there are certain milks and specific circumstances where a little bit of the right sort of milk might be useful for managing your cat's water balance and health.
Early signs that a kitten is fading may include lethargy, lack of interest in nursing, sleeping separately from the litter, and whining.
Wet Food Keeps Cats Hydrated
Instead, they have two options: wet food, or dry kibble. Unlike dry cat food, wet food has enough water in it to provide your cat with much of the hydration they need. You can then use a running source of water (like a pet fountain) to provide the rest of the hydration that they need.
You want to try to encourage them to drink. However, you should never force them.
If your cat is showing signs of dehydration contact your vet right away. Dehydration in cats can be fatal, and once the symptoms above become evident your cat is likely to be severely dehydrated and in need of emergency veterinary care (refusal to drink for 24 hours or more qualifies as a veterinary emergency).
Try flavoring your kitty's water with some chicken broth, the liquid from a tin of tuna or sardines or some clam juice (sold in bottles at supermarkets). Make certain, though, to have at least one bowl of plain, fresh water close by at all times.
Fluids can be administered by mouth using a syringe. Your veterinarian will give you specific instructions on how much and how often to administer fluids. If it is not possible for your cat to be given fluids by mouth, your veterinarian will hospitalize your cat to provide the necessary supportive care.