How much water does a cat actually need?
Cats evolved in dry environments and carry a weak thirst drive. On a dry-food diet many house cats drink far less than they need, which puts pressure on the kidneys and urinary tract over a lifetime. This guide covers the numbers, the warning signs and the practical ways to get more fluid into your cat — including the functional drink we are developing in Switzerland.
The daily number
A healthy adult cat needs roughly 45–60 ml of water per kilogram of body weight per day, from all sources combined. A 4 kg cat therefore needs about 180–240 ml daily. Wet food is around 75–80% water and can cover most of that; dry food is around 8–10% water, so a dry-fed cat has to drink almost all of it from the bowl — and most do not.
Why cats drink too little
Desert ancestry means low thirst sensitivity: a cat can be mildly dehydrated before it feels thirsty. Cats also dislike still, warm, chlorinated water, bowls placed next to the food, and narrow bowls that press on their whiskers. Multi-cat households add competition around a single water station.
Signs of dehydration
Skin that stays tented when gently lifted at the shoulders, tacky or dry gums, sunken eyes, lethargy, small hard stools, and reduced or very concentrated urine. Recurrent cystitis, crystals or kidney values that creep upwards are longer-term signals. Any of these belongs in front of a vet — this page is information, not veterinary advice.
What actually helps
Add a wet-food meal, spread several wide, shallow bowls around the flat away from the litter tray and food, try a circulating fountain, refresh water twice daily, and offer a flavoured fluid your cat wants to drink. Palatability is the lever: a cat drinks what it enjoys, not what it should.
Where Cat Soda fits
Cat Soda is a non-carbonated, sugar-free functional drink developed in Switzerland specifically for cats. It uses premium poultry hydrolysate for taste cats seek out, taurine for heart and eye health, and a premium omega-3 source for skin, coat and joints. It is a drink, not a replacement for fresh water or a balanced diet. The first pilot batch ships to the waitlist in Switzerland and the UK.
FAQ
- How much water should a cat drink per day?
- About 45–60 ml per kilogram of body weight per day from all sources. A 4 kg cat needs roughly 180–240 ml, and wet food can cover most of it.
- Can cats drink anything other than water?
- Cats can drink water and drinks formulated for cats. Cow's milk, sodas for humans, caffeinated drinks and alcohol are not suitable. Cat Soda is non-carbonated, sugar-free and made specifically for cats.
- Is carbonated soda safe for cats?
- No. Carbonation, sugar, sweeteners and caffeine are all unsuitable for cats. Cat Soda is a still drink with none of those.
- How do I know if my cat is dehydrated?
- Check for skin that stays tented, dry or tacky gums, sunken eyes and lethargy. If you see these, contact your vet.
Be first to try it
Join the waitlist for the first pilot batch in Switzerland and the UK.