Cat drinking more – when should I see a vet?
Book a vet visitThis is not usually an emergency on its own – contact your vet if it lasts, gets worse or your cat seems unwell in any other way. It may be linked with kidney disease, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, a urine infection, fever or medicines that increase thirst.
What you can do now
- Contact your vet.
- Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
- Take a photo or short video to show the vet.
- Keep fresh water available.
Don't
- Do not give any human medicine.
- Do not wait if it gets worse.
What it can mean
A sudden increase in drinking may be a sign that something is wrong.[1] Increased thirst can be linked with kidney disease, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, a urine infection, fever or medicines that increase thirst.[1] Cats often drink and wee more together because the more they drink, the more they need to wee.[1] How much water a cat drinks can depend on their diet, with mainly dry food naturally leading to more drinking than wet food.[2]
Other signs that can come with it
sudden
Possible causes
What the experts say
“Overview. Is your cat drinking and/or weeing more than usual? The two symptoms usually come together because the more a cat drinks the more they need to wee, and the more they wee the more they need to drink.”
“How much water our cats drink under normal circumstances depends on their diet. A cat fed on wet food will get a large proportion of the water they need from their food, whereas cats fed mainly dry food will naturally drink more water.”
Not sure how serious it is?
OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.
OkPaw is on Android now – an iPhone version is on its way.
Common questions
Why might my cat be drinking more?
It may be linked with kidney disease, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, a urine infection, fever or medicines that increase thirst.[1]
Can my cat’s diet affect how much they drink?
Yes. Cats eating mainly dry food naturally drink more, while wet food provides a large proportion of the water they need.[2]
Can increased thirst come with increased urination?
Yes. Increased drinking and urination usually come together because the more a cat drinks, the more they need to wee.[1]
Sources
How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages
Itching
Itchy Ears And Head Shaking
Limping and stiffness
Low Energy
Painful Eye / Eye Held Closed
Reduced Appetite