Tons of information is available, and someone with a diabetic cat should become as knowledgeable as possible. So keep your diabetic cats routine as stable as possible while youre away. Most cats diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus are overweight. Your cat is drinking from other places, such as toilets or sinks. VEG has locations all over the country, with emergency vets who are available 24/7 to help you and your pet. Lethargy As your cat nears the end of her life she will probably be less active. What You Need to Know. When the electrolyte levels drop because of drinking too much water, your body balance goes down. Some cats become normal again. Your cat may be drinking more water because they are dehydrated or behind in its fluid consumption. If they have always drunk a substantial amount of water since they were a kitten, it's less concerning than if there is a sudden change in their thirst. The cat is eating well but thinks the water bowl has turned into the best open bar in the world. If this goes on past this point, then there is a likelihood of your kitty dying. So stay healthy. This could be a sign of pain or various other serious medical issues including kidney disease, diabetes, and hyperthyroidism. Talking of why your cat isnt eating but drinking water, what about when it comes to why is my cat drinking a lot of water and not eating, as compared to not eating but drinking water normally? Featured Image Credit: AleksandarMilutinovic, Shutterstock. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Sadly, there are occasions when they accidentally take in poison, perhaps from baited food, or by grooming themselves clean of pollens from the Lily family. It could indicate the onset of liver disease, kidney disease, diabetes, or a UTI.Why is my cat drinking a lot of water and not eating? Cats with urinary tract infections also tend to drink more water than normal. From time to time, monitoring is necessary to check if the insulin dose is correct. In other words, the cat is severely polyuric/polydipsic (PU/PD). Vets put overweight or obese cats on a calorie-controlled diet. Caring for a Diabetic Cat: The Good and The Bad of Diabetes Care (9 Interesting Facts), Cat With Long Legs : (10 Cool Cat Long Leg Breeds), Cat Vomit Color Chart : 8 Unique Cat Vomit Colors, Do Cats Eat Rabbits? Here we look at three common causes in some detail. To help determine whether your cat's thirst is normal or a sign of them being unwell, keep an eye out for other symptoms. Sometimes, youll notice that they throw up their food right after eating or when they, Cats arent hard to please creatures. As the damage worsens, new signs reflect the kidneys role as a detox unit: a gradual loss of weight, an increasingly picky and poor appetite, perhaps some vomiting, and just being less bright and interactive. If your cat needs insulin injections, youll need to find a reliable pet sitter familiar with diabetics, a family member or a pleasant boarding situation. Have you found yourself refilling the bowl, yet again? Its not just hyperthyroidism that causes increased thirst and weight loss. Or drinking in new places? Cat Throwing Up? Here's Why and What to Do | PetMD We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. In every one of these, being seen by your veterinarian sooner rather than later will give the best outlook for your pets health and comfort. They have changed remarkably little in the thousands of years since and while its still vital always to provide them with fresh, clean water in good health, most cats drink sparingly. The delivery system is not designed for a cat. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'learnaboutpet_com-leader-3','ezslot_13',166,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-learnaboutpet_com-leader-3-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'learnaboutpet_com-leader-3','ezslot_14',166,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-learnaboutpet_com-leader-3-0_1');.leader-3-multi-166{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. Furthermore, the increased water intake and frequent urination associated with cats who are dying of kidney failure is known as uremia. Pharmacists may tell you that you can use the bottle only for 1 month. Learn more. When an older cat is presented to the veterinarian with the common symptoms of drinking lots of water, urinating tons and losing weight, a diagnosis of feline diabetes can actually be good news. Although there are various reasons why your cat would resort to drinking a lot of water and not eating, the major ones, unfortunately happen to be adverse. There are various reasons that can cause your cat to drink water excessively. This is a life. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. One example is screening for high levels of growth hormone in the cats bloodstream. There are many possible reasons why a cat may suddenly start drinking more water, including diabetes: Increased thirst is a very common symptom of diabetes in cats. Rotating internship with Veterinary Specialty Hospital North County (San Diego). Hyperthyroidism in cats may also cause other symptoms, including: Diagnosis is made based on bloodwork. Bloodwork and urine testing will likely be recommended. Cats Drinking Lots Of Water - CatsWorldClub.com This may be a tough topic for many of you who love your pet dearly but are also in desperate need of a vacation. Excessive Thirst in Dogs: Is it Normal or Serious? | Hill's Pet There are many causes of your cat drinking a lot of water, some more serious than others. An avid Petfulreader wrote in to tell us she couldnt find Lantus for under $285 a bottle for her diabetic kitty. Remember too that so-called wet foods are so wet that an 8lb cat, eating these alone, might only drink a mere fluid ounce of water a day, while the same cat eating dry food would drink 5 times that amount. If your cat is drinking a lot and has diarrhea, it might just mean that they are replacing the fluid they have lost in their poop. Your Cat Seems Disoriented Some aging cats may seem lost or confused in a familiar environment. The sugar referred to in the title is more accurately called glucose; in this form of diabetes, the body fails to produce or to respond to insulin, which causes blood glucose levels to rise. Initially, she treated all species, but focussed on small animals from 2014. Fur. When an older cat is presented to the veterinarian with the common symptoms of drinking lots of water, urinating tons and losing weight, a diagnosis of feline diabetes can actually be good news. Drinking more is usually the first and principal sign of Diabetes Mellitus. Youll quickly adapt to the cats daily routine of injections, and it usually isnt too much of a bother. This disease can even affect the heart. Furthermore, cats, when tamed, can fall in two categories. Hes often drinking more and may have some vomiting or diarrhea. This is an older cats disease. Cat Nutrition: What Makes a Nutritional Cat Food. Excessive thirst is a symptom of numerous medical conditions in cats, both physical and mental. She has written about pets and pet health for many websites, blogs, and pet magazines and loves to help owners understand their pets through her writing. Sick pets (and older pets) require additional mental and physical care than your average pet. Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. These diseases technically result in a thirsty cat because your cat will be urinating a lot and not because it doesn't already get enough water. Why Is My Cat Drinking A Lot Of Water And Not Eating? 7 Clear Facts (2023) In reality, there is no simple answer to this question. There are various reasons a cat could be drinking excess water, including underlying conditions, some of which include kidney problems and diabetes. Drinking from places that they normally don't (taps/the toilet/sinks/the bath) Drinking so much that they vomit. These cuddly cats have an unfortunately habit of storing fat inside insulin-producing cells, which smothers their ability to produce vital insulin. Perhaps better known as finicky eaters, cats aren't prolific water drinkers. Delaying therapy can lead to severe and potentially life-threatening consequences. This is an older cat's disease. So a 10-pound cat will typically drink about 8 ounces of water every day. Generally, if a cat on insulin is still drinking a lot of water, and they are on an all low carb canned food diet, (low carb canned foods are what diabetic cats should be eating), then it is very likely that the cat is still having high blood glucose numbers for whatever reason. Here are some simple facts about the cost of treating cat with diabetes today: A 10 ml vial is good for at least 34 months, maybe longer if handled properly. If theyre well, its also worth keeping an eye on their thirst for a few days to see if it settles and monitoring them for other symptoms. Each vet has their favorite, and if your cat doesnt do well, they will switch to a different option. A change in their patterns could be cause for concern. Unfortunately, youre at the mercy of greedy Big Pharma when it comes to filling human scripts, such as insulin, for your pets. An increase in drinking vets call this polydipsia can certainly be a sign of illness. DISCLAIMER: THIS BLOG OR WEBSITE, "Learn About Pet", DOES NOT PROVIDE YOU WITH MEDICAL ADVICE AND IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'learnaboutpet_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_5',157,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-learnaboutpet_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); Its not uncommon for cats to drink more water than usual. These cats will usually respond to treatment quickly, and youve caught the disease before lots of secondary problems set in (pancreatitis, neuropathy, cataracts, to name a few). What's Normal Its a good deal if you can find it. Remember, you can encourage your cat to drink more using running water like taps or water fountains. Many causes of increased thirst will also cause increased urination. However, for other cats, you might just see your cat drinking, where you never saw them drinking before. Pilling a cat is probably much more difficult on a daily basis than giving an injection. Cats dont sweat as we do, nor pant like dogs, though they may groom more in warm weather so that their dampened coat helps them cool off by evaporation. If you notice that your cat is drinking more than usual, take it to the vet as soon as possible so they can run some tests. There are different forms of treatment available including permanent options. Older Cat Not Eating But Drinking: Senior Cat Food Issues - MrBossCat In most cases, these tests are enough to get to a diagnosis. You should therefore rush your cat to the vet in case you notice this. There are several reasons why cats drink large amounts of water. Ketones are a natural toxin and an early warning of trouble ahead. A few more ideas if youre looking to save money on Lantus: Immediately after diagnosis, ask your vet for 2 estimates for stabilization and for ongoing costs so you understand the financial implications. In conclusion, how best can we address the question why is my cat drinking a lot of water and not eating? Here are some other things youll want to keep in mind: A couple of times a week, you should test the cats urine with a dipstick. More often, there are more immediate and dramatic signs, such as drooling, vomiting, twitching, or collapse. Smile serenely. FeedingMeow Mix is like tearing into a big bag of Doritos. Or you could get creative and find a friend with a diabetic cat and split the bottle. The vet will perform a full clinical examination and will need to sample blood and urine to screen for the diseases mentioned and other, less common causes. Liver (hepatic) disease. NY 10036. However, there are health risks associated with feeding your cat too much wet food, and experts recommend feeding your cat a mix of both wet and dry food. If you have recently changed the feline menu from wet to dry food, you can expect to see more forays to that bowl to compensate. The cost has skyrocketed lately. Local, privately owned pharmacies may be your best bet. We took him to the veterinarian. If your cat is not a diabetic yet, get on the healthy bandwagon: Obesity in cats, just like in Americans, is a huge problem. Cat No Longer Eating. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Most experts recommend a diet with about 7% carb content: Some of these regular cat foods are probably better than the prescription diets. This means they may return to being a normal, non-diabetic cat. And do the same for Mr. And lots of water downed in record time. Most specialists recommend that you have your vet put the insulin in a sterile vial and withdraw your insulin from that vial. It's also worth considering whether it's a hot day or whether theyre fed wet or dry food. Too much thyroid hormone can make your cat really hungry, and they might be more vocal and a bit frantic. Talking of why your cat could suddenly stop drinking more water, what about when it comes to cat drinking a lot of water and meowing? If youre sure your cat is drinking more, take action: Drinking more is a sign of problems but its not specific to any one problem. Dr Hannah Godfrey studied Veterinary Medicine at the Royal Veterinary College London. Many veterinary specialists worry about the quality of compounded insulin. Unfortunately, underlying medical conditions are the most common of these causes. Watch your cat for signs of heatstroke including: If the only sign your cat is exhibiting is increased thirst but is not exhibiting any of the above signs, heat stroke is a less likely cause. Why Is My Cat Suddenly Drinking More Water? Well, when it comes to the why is my cat drinking a lot of water and not eating question, there are a couple of reasons your cat may be drinking too much water and at the same time not eating.Why is my cat drinking a lot of water and not eating? They will also need to have an insulin plan, along with regular blood sugar monitoring. Healthy diets, proper weight management, diabetic monitoring and treatment of concurrent conditions are all imperative to a successful outcome for a diabetic cat. When you come to VEG, you can be rest assured that your cat will get the proper care they need. There are many possible causes of your cats increased water intake, some of which are potentially serious and some of which are completely insignificant. If its hot or dry, try setting up a humidifier to help keep your cat cool and decrease the need for more water. If your cat seems extra thirsty and is always hungry, they might have hyperthyroidism. PetsRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. With proper diet and the correct insulin therapy, a significant number of cats can go into remission or have their diabetes reversed. Diabetes is a fairly common disease and can be managed with insulin therapy and other medications. A clue that your cat may have hyperthyroidism is that it is suddenly acting like a kitten again despite he or she being an older cat. Potential symptoms include: head pain. Get the best advice, tips and top tech for your beloved Pets. We are dedicated to helping people and their pets when they need it most. Final Verdict Why Is My Cat Drinking A Lot Of Water And Not Eating. Dry cat food has less water content than canned cat food, so. Firstly, it could be normal for them. If you can measure how much your cat drinks in a day, your veterinarian will be able to do a simple calculation to decide whether it's excessive. Cats who are only fed dry food will often have excellent teeth, but theyll need to drink more than cats who are fed wet food. If youve noticed a change in your cats drinking behavior, consider whether there are any reasons why they might be drinking more, like warmer weather or a change in food. Most cats require very little insulin, so some of the insulin will go to waste, even if it lasts for 6months.