Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
To safely put a cat on a weight-loss program, create a diet plan with
your veterinarian, stick with it and take the cat back to the doctor for
follow-up checks. Food-obsessed cats often will eat low-calorie items
such as lettuce, carrot pieces, canned green beans or cantaloupe, which
can also help fill them up.
DRINK IT UP
A cat's body, like other small mammals, is 60 percent water. And water
is the only beverage a cat needs to drink. Cats normally are not big
water drinkers, and they produce very concentrated urine. An average
cat will consume about eight ounces of water a day, but the amount of
water a cat will drink in a day can vary. Factors that affect water con-
sumption include diet, environmental temperature and activity level.
Cats who primarily eat canned foods will not drink as much water as
those who eat dry foods. This is because canned foods contain more
water than dry foods. When the weather is hot or after thorough
grooming, a cat may drink more.
Unlike humans, who know they need to stay hydrated when they
are sick, cats do not drink enough when they are sick and they quick-
ly become dehydrated. Cats
often need treatment with
injectable fluids to restore their
hydration when they are ill,
because it is difficult to make
them drink enough water to
keep hydrated.
Water bowls should be
cleaned daily, and they should
be rinsed and refilled several
times a day. You should also
monitor your cat's water intake,
especially as she matures. If you
notice that your cat is drinking
more water than usual, this can
be a warning sign of diabetes
mellitus or problems with her
kidneys.
Researchers believe cats taste water in a more
complex way than we do, which may explain
why many cats like to drink running water.
