Anyone who owns a cat and a dog will have noticed that the former drinks much less than the latter. You should know that domestic cats come from species ofadapted to arid climates (its ancestors are the wild cats of Africa and the Middle East). Therefore,by nature it is adapted to conserving water. The primary conservation mechanisms are its limited sweating and the excretion of more concentrated urine (compared to dogs, humans, and many other animals.)
WHAT DOES DRINKING LITTLE MEAN FOR OUR CAT?
This natural condition of cats means their kidneys have to work hard to conserve water.
Keep in mind that the average specific gravity of cat urine is >1035 g/L, compared to an average of 1025 for dogs and around 1020 for humans. This meansgreater work for the kidneys of this species compared to others, making them more susceptible to diseases of these organs.
Another point to note is that nature originally expected a shorter average lifespan than our cats can reach with their owner’s care and veterinary treatment. The average lifespan of a cat today ranges from 14 to 18 years, but wild cats have much shorter average lifespans. So it’s normal that highly efficient organs like a cat’s kidneys, having to work harder than nature intended, become worn out during old age.
It is estimated that 1/3 of cats over 12 years old suffer from kidney problems. Chronic kidney failure is one of the most common reasons for visits to the vet for older cats.
WHAT CAN WE DO TO REDUCE THE RISK OF KIDNEY FAILURE IN CATS?
It should be noted that cats, more than other animals, have significant ability to compensate for diseases in general, and the kidneys are no exception. This means that before showing any signs of illness, their body tries to compensate and hide these symptoms. To avoid acting too late, it is important to have your cat checked by a veterinarian at least once a year, and this becomes even more important after 8-9 years old.
One of the main symptoms of kidney disease, for example, is increased thirst and urination.
The best prevention we can do at home is to make sure our cat drinks the right amount of water. Let’s share some tips on this subject
- Choose a diet that includes a portion of wet food.Wet food provides cats with water in addition to what they drink from their water bowl, which is very helpful for the kidneys.. However, as we know, dry kibble helps maintain good oral hygiene, so the recommendation isto give our cats both wet and dry food.. The mixed diet will have the benefits of both types of food.
- To encourage your cat to drink, use large water bowls (maybe a nice glass bowl) or special water fountains.Continuous-circulation water fountains are very useful for cats that prefer running water. So avoid using only a small bowl next to their food.
- Add omega-3 supplements to cats once they reach a certain age. These important heart and kidney protectors are found concentrated in fish oils, which are included in some commercial foods or can be given as supplements by the owner.
Follow these tips and get regular checkups for your cat… they will be grateful.
Dr. Simone Falci
Veterinary Nutritionist
Bibliography:
-Biological variation of urinary protein: Creatinine ratio and urine specific gravity in cats. (Femke Mortier et Al.; Vet Intern Med. 2023)
-Physiology of Domestic Animals (G. Agguggini et Al.; UTET publisher)
-Kidney Diseases of Dogs and Cats (Andrea Zatelli, Edra publisher)