New Member

Posts: 3
From:Massachusetts
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 11-21-2003 02:23 AM         

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Hi there I'm new to the board. I've read the posts about not eating, drinking, or going to the bathroom. My cat is eating fine and going to the bathroom but I never see him drink. I thought maybe he did while I was at work but when I was home all weekend with him, I didn't see him drink once. Also he usually leaves cat hairs in the bowl and there aren't any. Other than that he seems fine. He runs and plays, eats fine, and sleeps fine. Should I be concerned? He's had urinary infections before and is now permanently on medication to prevent them but I only give it once every few days. I have given him water with some tuna and tuna ?juice? in it. He drinks a little of that but I don't want him to get in the habit of only drinking that. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

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Member

Posts: 84
From:Hull, UK
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 11-21-2003 05:58 AM         

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Does your cat have wet or dry food? Cats gets alot of the fluid they need from their food if they have wet food.

I never see one of my cats drink but she pees for England and she is healthy so I know she must be taking in fluid. Maybe your cat is just shy about you watching it drink!

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Member

Posts: 81
From:Fairfield, CT
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 11-21-2003 06:50 AM         

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I have several cats and even though we have water bowls is three different places they seem to find other sources. Just this morning I watched Milo jump into the tub at swat at the spout for the last remaining drips of water. Another one used to drink from the toilet ewwww. I made sure to never use any of those drop in cleaners and I made sure the bowl is clean! Luckily I haven't seen her do this in a long time.

I don't know how to check if a cat is dehydrated. I'm sure someone else here could help in that area.

[This message has been edited by wtpooh (edited 11-21-2003).]

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Member

Posts: 84
From:Ontario Canada
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 11-21-2003 07:06 AM         

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To check if a cat is dehydrated:

Symptoms of dehydration include sunken eyes, exhaustion, appetite loss, depression and a dry mouth. To check that your pet has been getting enough water, pull the skin on the scruff of his neck and let it go - it should flatten back into place. If the skin stays in position or returns to normal only after he has shaken himself, your pet may be low on fluids.

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New Member

Posts: 3
From:Massachusetts
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 11-21-2003 12:02 PM         

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Thanks everyone. He doesn't have sunken eyes, I'm having a hard time telling if his mouth is dry because he doesn't like me touching it, but it does seem a little dry, and I did the skin test and it seems to fall back in place. He's got a lot of extra skin. We moved a few weeks ago and I was just worried because he's eating fine, its just not seeing him drink. He refuses to eat wet food. He doesn't show any signs of dehydration except for a slightly dry mouth. Other than that, healthy as can be. Any other thoughts would be appreciated and thanks for all the responses!

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Member

Posts: 84
From:Hull, UK
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 11-21-2003 01:43 PM         

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Sounds to me like you have a secret drinker, you would be surprised where they find water to drink. One of my cats favourites is to lick the condensation off the windows, o bathroom mirror, or worse still I put a glass of water by my bed at night and the cat has a good taste of that too, unfortunate but I just make sure she is wormed regularly!

One thing I would try though is using bottled water, perhaps the water in your area is too chlorinated for your cat, they really hate the taste, or collect rainwater, all cats seem to prefer rainwater to tap water

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Member

Posts: 123
From:Vancouver, WA USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 11-21-2003 03:34 PM         

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they do find water all over. Recently my cat has started jumping into the shower as soon as I get out and licking the sides. He also gets into the sink and drinks any standing water in there, not to mention drinking out of any glass I leave unattended!

If he seems healthy, there isn't much to worry about.

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New Member

Posts: 3
From:Massachusetts
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 11-21-2003 05:41 PM         

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A secret drinker...he can be kind of sneaky. Poor cat's blind (genetically defective/inbred cat, the person I got him from won't fix her cat, claiming since she's catholic, so are the cats, so we think my cats probably inbred) anyway, he may be blind, but he sure can sneak around. I went up the stairs and he tackled me, taking my sock with him. So I'm guessing he's okay. Thanks again for your help!

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