Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Make sure kittens are hydrated
• Method 2 of 2: Make a kitten feel comfortable with water
• Tips
• Warnings

Cats and water. Not the best of friends, but like any other animal, cats need water to survive. If you want to make sure your newborn kitten is drinking enough water, you can learn to monitor your cat's drinking habits to make sure he is getting enough water. You can also learn a few basic things about introducing your cat to water, in case he ever needs a bath.

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Method 1 of 2: Make sure kittens are hydrated

1. Leave the kitten with its mother until it is at least four to six weeks old. Kittens learn from their mother to eat, wash and drink water as they grow. Kittens should stay with their mothers for at least a month before they are weaned from the milk and start eating solid foods.
   • If your cat was taken from its mother too early, or if it was orphaned, you can usually start weaning from three weeks.
2. Provide fresh drinking water daily. You shouldn't have to do anything to have a cat to learn to drink, in addition to providing plenty of drinking water in an accessible location for your cat. Every day, pour out the old water and add fresh water for your cat.
   • Don't worry if you don't see your cat drinking regularly just because you put water in front of him.
   • The water can be at room temperature. It doesn't have to be cold for the cat.
3. Make sure the bowl is easily accessible. Experiment with bowls of different sizes and shapes if your cat is hesitant to eat or drink from them. Stainless steel, ceramic, and glass are all easy-to-clean materials and good options for cats. If your cat has trouble reaching into the bowl, get a smaller bowl.
   • Place the cat's food and water next to each other and introduce them to your cat by sitting with him and petting him while you pour food and water into the bowls. The cat should not have to search.
   • The cat's food should be in a different place from the litter box. Like humans, cats don't like to relieve themselves and eat in the same place.
4. Clean the cat's water bowl. Your cat's water bowl can become soiled with saliva and the minerals from tap water, so it should be washed well every few days. Wash the bowl with warm soapy water and a sponge. Then rinse well before refilling it.
   • You don't have to scrub the bowl, but it's a good idea to rinse it out well at least every few days. It will only take a moment and your cat will enjoy drinking from a clean bowl.
5. Try a drinking water fountain. Drinking water fountains can be purchased at most pet stores and are sometimes recommended for cats who do not like to drink water. They work like a regular fountain, where the water in a pond is continuously circulated and bubbled up so that the cat can drink from it. Some cats love these products.
   • They usually cost 20 to 30 euros and they usually work with a plug. Most cats shouldn't need these, but it's a good way to spoil your cat if you want to give it a little something extra.
6. Feed the cat wet food from a can. There is research showing that cats fed only dry food are slightly dehydrated and can suffer from urinary tract problems. Feeding your cat food with more water is usually a good idea. If possible, try to clean your cat a few times a week wet to give food.
   • Wet food is usually more expensive, making it sometimes difficult to feed a cat only wet food. Instead, try buying a few large cans and mixing a few spoonfuls of them into your cat's dry food every day to make sure your pet gets the water he needs.
   • You can also add some water to your cat's dry food. When supplementing your cat's dry food, add some water to the bowl and mix it in to make sure your cat is getting enough water. About two tablespoons of water should be enough.

Method 2 of 2: Make a kitten feel comfortable with water

1. Get a variety that likes to be around water. Most cats don't like being around water, but some breeds do better than others. If you'd like a water-friendly cat, consider one of the following common cat breeds:
   • Bengal cat
   • Turkish Angora or Turkish Van
   • American bobtail
   • Maine Coon
2. Introduce the cat to water early. Kittens are more likely to be calm around water if introduced early. It is okay to try to introduce the cat to water for the first few months of life, calmly and gently, one step at a time.
   • Introduce the cat to water when it is calm and tired. The best time to bathe a cat? Immediately after playing or eating. Cats are usually very active right before eating, so the best time to try to introduce your cat to water is right after eating.
   • Trim your cat's nails before attempting to introduce it to water. Also, wear long-sleeved clothes when trying to play with your cat in the water.
3. Start with some drops. Many domestic cats are fascinated by dripping faucets. As a quick test to see if your cat will be water-friendly and easy to bathe, try running your faucet at a slow, steady rate. Place your cat on the counter and see if he is interested in the drops.
   • Some cats play with tap water, or even drink from the tap. Others ignore it completely. Both are very normal cat reactions.
4. Be careful. Make sure to be quiet, slow, and careful, using warm water in a spray bottle. Speak in a calm voice and hold the cat against your body with one hand firmly under its stomach. Stroke the cat on its neck to help calm it down when you introduce it to water. Move very slowly.
   • In some cases, it is good to wrap the cat in a soft, fluffy, warm towel while doing this. You can use it to dry the cat when you are done and during the process to reassure the cat.
   • Never introduce a cat to water by putting it in the bath. You don't need that much water to clean a small cat and it will only backfire.
5. Dampen a soft washcloth and wipe the kitten's paws. The best way a cat comes into contact with water is through its paws. Use a small spray bottle to dampen a washcloth with warm water and wet the kitten's paws with it. Wait a moment for the cat to feel the sensation of the water on its fur.
6. Add more water as needed. Eventually you can add more water with a spray bottle, and in some cases (with very cooperative cats) even bathe the cat. Work very slowly and only apply a little water to your cat's coat at a time. Hold the cat firmly against you to keep it calm and under control.
   • If you just want to see if your cat will play in water, let your cat set the rhythm. If he screeches and tries to escape when you put some water on his paws, then your cat doesn't like water.
   • If the cat is running away, it is usually best to give it up. Don't force interactions if your cat doesn't want to.
7. Dry the cat immediately. Always keep your kitten warm and dry immediately with a towel, then wrap in a warm, fluffy towel. You may be able to use a silent hair dryer on a low setting unless your cat is afraid of it.
   • Let your cat groom itself and give it a warm place to sleep. Healthy cats are very good at keeping themselves clean.
8. Don't force a cat to interact with water. Most cats don't like water, and most don't need to be washed. So there is no reason to force a cat to do something it doesn't want to do. If your cat doesn't like water, don't force it.
   • Cats generally don't need a bath and should only be bathed when they've rolled into something particularly nasty or poisonous. If you need to bathe the cat, trim his nails first and introduce him to the water when he's tired from playing.
   • Do not submerge the cat in water to wash it. Instead, use a spray bottle to wet his coat and then wash it gently with a washcloth.
   • Dry the cat well if it gets wet. Use a fluffy, warm towel to dry the cat's fur.

Tips

• Make sure your cat has not had any bad experiences with water.

Warnings

• Never force your cat to play with water. Most cats don't want it and it's cruel to expect anything else from them.