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Tags: Cats, Felines, cat information, cat health 

Reply Owning a Feline: The Essentials
The Watering Hole

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Punkin Avis
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PostPosted: Sun Sep 16, 2012 1:21 pm


Bringing your Cat to Water


Cats have very low thirst drives. They dont drink like dogs do and some can be very persnickety about how they get their water, where they get their water and how it is presented to them.

Cats NEED water. A cat can only go 2 days without it before suffering from illness and health problems. Water intake can also indicate UTI's, diabetes, or other underlying health problems. (or lack thereof)

Make sure that the water is ALWAYS fresh, and available at all times and easily accessible to the cat.
PostPosted: Sun Sep 16, 2012 1:29 pm


Types of Water Dishes


Bowls

The easiest solution is the stand still bowl next to their food. It should be changed daily, and often. Make sure it is clean. Keep in mind the water levels to indicate a possible problem with water intake.

Automatic Water Dispenser

Large and similar to the Automatic feeder. This continuously makes sure that there is a somewhat fresh scource of water for the cat. Usually with a filter, the water does need to be changed out often along with the filter. The levels of the water are easy to see with a clear plastic top.

The Fountian

A plug in unit that cycles the water so there is a constant cycle of fresh clean water. These can be used when you want to break your faucet feline of their finicky habit of needing the water flowing in order to drink. These come in a variety of shapes and sizes and prices. Remeber function over fancy. Its also a little harder to moniter your cats water intake.

The Bubbler

Similar to the fountain, this is a a plug in unit that bubbles the water creating oxygen to make it fresher. Keep in mind, this one does make noise and some cats are scared of it.

Punkin Avis
Captain

Chatty Cat

12,000 Points
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Punkin Avis
Captain

Chatty Cat

12,000 Points
  • Cats vs Dogs 100
  • Sausage Fest 200
  • Team Edward 100
PostPosted: Sun Sep 16, 2012 1:34 pm


Breaking Bad Habits


You have a faucet drinker, a toilet bowl drinker, or a cat that simply refuses to drink water. We often times create these by leaving the faucet on and having outrageous water bills because the cat refuses to drink from anything else. Invest in something like a fountain and try different types of waterers to see if they will help.

Toilet bowls aren't just the dogs anymore. Keep the lids down, and the doors closed to break the kitty of the habit. Provide an alternative source for the kitty to drink from.

Make sure that the water is fresh at all times and that you offer what your kitty will drink from.
PostPosted: Sun Sep 16, 2012 1:38 pm


Dehydration in Cats


This is a big issue in felines. Simply not getting enough water, or refusal to drink. To do a dehydration test, gently pull on the scruff (the area behind the neck) to check the elasticity in the skin. Snaps back quickly? Shes hydrated. Takes awhile? Dehydrated. If your kitty has not been drinking at all, take her to the vet asap as it could be an underlying medical condition.

There are alternative methods to getting your cat to get more water into her system. Such as adding water to their kibble (1/3 part water to 2/3 part kibble) or feeding them more wet food (which has water for processing). Keep an eye on the level of their water intake and how much they use their box to ensure that the cat is healthy and getting enough water. When in doubt, take her to the vet.

Punkin Avis
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Chatty Cat

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Owning a Feline: The Essentials

 
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