Cat water intake calculator
Enter your cat’s weight to see roughly how much water they need a day.
For an overweight cat, enter the ideal weight your vet suggests.
Not sure of their ideal weight? Estimate it from their shape →Daily water need—ml
To drink—ml
- Range40–60 ml per kg
- — ml
- Water in wet foodDry food
- — ml
- Normal upper limit100 ml per kg; above it, get a vet check
- — ml
Notes
- An estimate for a healthy adult cat. For kittens, pregnant or nursing cats, and cats with a long-term condition, ask your vet first.
- A male cat keeps squatting in the litter box but can’t pee: go to an emergency vet right away. A female cat peeing often or only a little should also see a vet soon.
- Their drinking suddenly goes well up or down from normal, especially with bigger urine clumps, weight loss, low energy or vomiting: see a vet.
- They haven’t eaten, or haven’t drunk, for a whole day: see a vet.
How to measure what they actually drink
Measure the water you pour into the bowl with a measuring cup, then measure what’s left the next day. The difference is what they drank. With a shared bowl or a fountain this won’t be accurate, so watch whether the bowl suddenly empties faster instead.
If what you measure goes over the “normal upper limit” above, take them to the vet. For a cat on wet food, add the water from their food too.
Water needs by weight
Daily water for healthy adult cats from 2 to 8 kg, food included. Tap the chart to enlarge it.
Cat water intake chart, 2 to 8 kg
Free to share with credit · CC BY 4.0
How it’s worked out
An adult cat needs roughly 40 to 60 ml of water per kilogram of body weight a day. This uses the midpoint, 50 ml per kg, including the water in food. Dry food is under 10% water, so cats on dry food get nearly all of it from the bowl.
For ways to get them drinking more, see how to help your cat drink more.
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
Why is my cat drinking more water?
It can be as simple as hot weather, a switch to dry food or more activity. It can also be an early sign of kidney disease, diabetes or an overactive thyroid. If it keeps up, or they’re also peeing more or losing weight, take them to the vet.
My cat eats wet food and barely drinks. Is that normal?
Usually, yes. Wet food is about 78% water, so 200 g of it a day already holds just over 150 ml. Many cats on wet food drink very little from the bowl. As long as their energy, appetite and urine look normal, there’s no need to worry.
Why use ideal weight for an overweight cat?
Water needs track muscle and organs more than body fat, which needs very little water. Using an overweight cat’s actual weight overestimates what they need. If you’re not sure of their ideal weight, your vet can help.
References
- Cornell Feline Health Center. Hydration. Cornell University
- International Cat Care. How to Encourage Your Cat to Drink. iCatCare