Why is my elderly cat drinking so much water?

There is a very long list of causes for PU/PD in cats and dogs. This article focuses on three of the most common causes of PU/PD in older cats. Three of the more common causes of excessive urination and excessive drinking in cats are diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and hyperthyroidism.

Why do older cats drink a lot of water?

In the vast majority of cats that are drinking excessively it is because they are genuinely thirsty as their kidneys are making more urine, their bodies are detecting the loss of fluid and stimulate the desire to drink.

Should I be worried if my cat drinks a lot of water?

Polydipsia is defined as a cat drinking more than 100ml per kg of their bodyweight per day, but any cat that is drinking more than usual should be seen by a vet, as this may indicate that something is amiss. Of course, let the vet know the amount your cat is drinking if you have measured it.

How much water should a senior cat drink?

Your cat needs a daily amount of about 3.5 to 4.5 ounces of water per 5 pounds of their body weight. For instance, if you have a 10-pound cat, they should be drinking between 7 to 9 ounces of water daily. If the cat eats wet food often, you may notice that it doesn't drink as much water.

What does excessive water drinking in cats mean?

If your cat is drinking lots of water and showing other signs of illness, they should be checked and diagnosed by a vet. In particular, excessive thirst in cats can be a symptom of: Kidney disease. Diabetes mellitus. Hyperthyroidism.

Why is my cat drinking so much?

What are the signs of kidney failure in cats?

How do you know your old cat is dying?

A healthy cat's temperature should be between 37-38 degrees Celsius. One of the signs your cat is dying is when they have lower body temperature. As the heart weakens, other body organs start to shut down, and the body temperature drops below 37.

What are symptoms of diabetes in a cat?

What are the symptoms of hyperthyroidism in cats?

The most common sign of hyperthyroidism in cats is weight loss despite an increased appetite. Other common signs include vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, drinking and urinating more than normal, and an unkempt hair coat. Because the disease develops gradually, signs are often easy to miss at first.

Why is my cat suddenly so thirsty?

Diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and hyperthyroidism are common causes of increased thirst and urination in cats. Increased thirst and urination are symptoms of a number of common diseases, especially in cats over 10 years of age.

What's the average lifespan of a house cat?

Indoor cats live on average 10-15 years, while outdoor cats live on average 2-5 years This handout is intended to help you sort out the pros and cons associated with each lifestyle so you can rest assured your cat will have both an enriched life and protection from environmental hazards.

Why is my elderly cat so thin?

What's going on? Well-recognized causes of weight loss in old cats include chronic renal disease, diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, and dental problems, to name a few.

What are the final stages of hyperthyroidism in cats?

Over time, this progresses to increased blood pressure, severe weight loss, heart disease, blindness, and kidney damage. The slow onset of signs means that cat owners will often miss these changes until the late stages of disease.

How long can an old cat live with hyperthyroidism?

If effectively managed, cats with hyperthyroidism can live for many years with a very good quality of life. If untreated, this disease will cause uncontrolled weight loss, severe heart disease and eventually death.

What are the signs of pancreatitis in cats?

What are the clinical signs of pancreatitis and how is it diagnosed? The most common clinical signs include nausea, vomiting, fever, lethargy, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and decreased appetite. If the attack is severe, acute shock or death may occur.

What happens to an untreated diabetic cat?

Untreated, the condition leads to increasingly weak legs in cats, and eventually malnutrition, ketoacidosis and death. Early diagnosis and treatment by a qualified veterinarian can not only help prevent nerve damage, but in some cases even lead to remission so that the cat no longer needs injected insulin.

Why is my cat drinking and peeing so much?

Three of the more common causes of excessive urination and excessive drinking in cats are diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and hyperthyroidism.

How old is a senior cat?

In recent years, feline ages and life-stages have been redefined, cats are considered to be elderly once they reach 11 years with senior cats defined as those aged between 11-14 years and super-senior cats 15 years and upwards.

How long can a senior cat live with kidney failure?

Cats classified as stage three at diagnosis survived for an average of 1.86 years (679 days) but with some surviving up to 5.75 years. Cats in stage four kidney disease had a median survival of only 1.16 months (35 days). Overall median survival time was calculated as 2.1 years (771 days) from the time of diagnosis.

How do I know if my cat is suffering?

Why is my cat thin at the back end?

Why is my cat thin at the back end? While a cat's rear end is usually slightly narrower, muscle water on the hind end can be caused by age, lack of eating, specific illnesses, or even depression. If you notice a change in the condition of your cat it's important to consult your veterinarian.

How quickly does kidney failure progress in cats?

There are two types of kidney failure in cats. Each has different causes, treatments, and outlooks. Acute renal failure develops suddenly, over a matter of days or weeks.

Are cats in pain with kidney failure?

If your cat is suffering from acute kidney failure you may also notice an arched back or stiff-legged gait, symptoms that your cat's kidneys are causing pain. Chronic kidney failure gradually progresses over years, and the signs may not be noticeable.

What are the first signs of kidney disease?

Generally, earlier stages are known as 1 to 3. And as kidney disease progresses, you may notice the following symptoms. Nausea and vomiting, muscle cramps, loss of appetite, swelling via feet and ankles, dry, itchy skin, shortness of breath, trouble sleeping, urinating either too much or too little.

Do hyperthyroid cats drink a lot of water?

The most common clinical sign of hyperthyroidism is weight loss due to the increased rate of metabolism despite an increased appetite. Affected cats are often restless, and may become cranky or aggressive. They may have increased water consumption and urination.