Also called · hydration · water intake
What it is
Water is the nutrient the body reacts to losing fastest. An animal survives losing all of its body fat, and half of its protein, but losing 20% of its water is fatal.
What it does
Cats naturally drink little
Their desert ancestry gave them a strong ability to concentrate urine, and the price of that ability is a high risk of urinary stones. This is the basis for recommending wet food.
First priority in stone management
In managing urinary stones, securing water intake comes before adjusting any ingredient.
How to feed it
If you feed dry food only, look first at adding wet food or improving the drinking setup.
Always available.
What to watch for
Restricting water when you see increased thirst and urination is dangerous. Those can signal diabetes or kidney disease — the answer is a veterinary visit, not less water.
Concerns this ingredient relates to
General nutrition information. It does not replace a diagnosis or a prescription. If your animal has a medical condition or is on medication, talk to your veterinarian first.