Thread: Monty still not drinking enough… advice is welcome

We have water bowls in a couple of sinks, and those are probably the main source of water for one of the four and the other three use them as well. They really like to play with the bowl in the sink, plus you can sometimes have the faucet dripping for their amusement.

We use both straight tap water and filtered water. The tap water has a definite chlorine smell, but the cats often seem to prefer that to the filtered. So you could try some different water sources (though that could be a long term pain). Perhaps Monty might even like water flavored with some of these dental formulas (although our cats won't go near the stuff).

Canned food is very high in moisture content (we are actually paying big bucks for a can of mainly water!). Certainly feeding lots of canned may be required, and you should feel lucky if that works (I know some cats that won't eat much canned). Cats that eat exclusively canned do not need much if any additional water.

And of course we have two fountains, which are certainly the main water source for three of our four cats (though one never uses one of the fountains).

Originally Posted by NCarver

The tap water has a definite chlorine smell, but the cats often seem to prefer that to the filtered.

Yes, I have heard and read a number of times that many cats actually like the smell of chlorine a lot! Much to the chagrin of people who had used chlorine to clean a rug the cat had peed on, after which that rug became a favorite cat loo.

And thank you for reassuring me about the water content of canned food. I knew it was high, and now I know it's that high I feel a lot easier.

Originally Posted by Antonia

And thank you for reassuring me about the water content of canned food. I knew it was high, and now I know it's that high I feel a lot easier.

Look at your cans. The couple I looked at said "moisture 78% max" while dry says 10% max. That means the canned is 3/4 water. Makes it look pretty expensive when you think about that. Also explains why our girl that eats mainly canned eats many times per day: water isn't that filling in the long term.

I don't know whether it would help but I give Freyja a vitamin drink called viyo, and you can dilute it with water. They're little 30ml sachets and they don't touch the sides when I put one down for her. She likes them best as concentrate but I found if I dilute them it encourages her water intake. I know you've tried other water flavourings so this might not be much use, and mercifully I've not had the same problem with Freyja that poor Monty's got, but it might be worth a try. You can order them from PetPlanet.co.uk.

Hope the poor fella's feeling better soon, it's hard to take when they're not themselves.

Originally Posted by NCarver

Look at your cans. The couple I looked at said "moisture 78% max" while dry says 10% max. That means the canned is 3/4 water. Makes it look pretty expensive when you think about that. Also explains why our girl that eats mainly canned eats many times per day: water isn't that filling in the long term.

Wow... I just checked the small print on a pouch of Whiskas... 80% fluid!
Daylight robbery indeed, but at least it serves my purpose.

Thanks Candes & Karen.

I googled for Healthymouth, but I can't order it online at a Dutch retailer. The idea of it also helping to prevent gum trouble sounds good though... I will try and find an alternative that I can order over here.

The stainless steel drinking bowl I've already tried. They weren't any more interested than in their usual ceramic bowl... I guess our three spoilt brats are hard to please.

The vet told us about Viyo and suggested we try it. But until now, Monty seems quite pleased with his Whiskas - I make sure most of the jelly is for him and top it up with a generous shot of tuna-tin water. Have to feed him separately though and put his plate in the small entrance hall next to the kitchen, so that the 'grrrrrls' leave him alone. Little Minnie is always horrible... she leaves her own plate to nick from his!

But he seems to get much more fluid inside him now... saw him this morning tasting the water from the saucer underneath the pot of cat grass.

Sounds like the poor chap's making a step in the right direction, let's hope he keeps it up - early days but you must be so relieved.

Originally Posted by FreyjaRoMaine

Sounds like the poor chap's making a step in the right direction, let's hope he keeps it up - early days but you must be so relieved.

I am feeling easier, thanks.
How are your girls getting on?