The cat sits by the water but does not drink. The cat does not drink water: is it dangerous? Cats need wet food

Panleukopenia, or plague, or infectious gastroenteritis is a very contagious, acute disease, accompanied by fever (high temperature), disruption of the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract (vomiting, diarrhea), cardiovascular failure and, for the most part, ending in the death of animals - both kittens and adult cats.

Causes and causative agent

The causative agent of the disease is a parvovirus with a size of 20-25 nm. The virus is stable at pH 3.0-9.0, heating to 60 °C for 1 hour, resistant to ether, chloroform, pepsin, trypsin. In the external environment it remains viable for up to a year, which contributes to its wide distribution in nature.
The incidence of panleukopenia has its own patterns. All cats, regardless of breed, are susceptible to this disease. It is of a massive nature. Typically, it begins in early spring, reaches its peak in summer, lasts until autumn and gradually subsides towards winter.
The possibility of infection depends on the age of the animal: kittens from 2.5-3 months to 1 year and adult cats aged 8-9 years, when the body’s defenses decrease, are most susceptible to this virus.

The source of infection and the main spreaders of the disease are cats that are sick and have recovered from panleukopenia, releasing many viral particles into the external environment with feces and vomit. The appearance of the virus in a cat’s feces coincides with the onset of clinical manifestations of the disease and reaches a maximum 2-3 days after the disease.
In addition, there is reason to believe that parvovirus infection of the upper respiratory tract occurs during vomiting, so the airborne route of infection with this infection must also be taken into account. Intrauterine transmission of the pathogen and a transmissible mechanism (through blood-sucking insects - fleas) cannot be ruled out.

Symptoms of panleukopenia

The incubation period (the period from the moment of infection to the appearance of the first signs) of the disease lasts from 2 to 10 days. The course and severity of clinical signs vary depending on the age of the cat, the number and virulence (degree of pathogenicity) of the pathogen and the animal’s immunity.
In acute cases, the disease manifests itself as a sudden deterioration in the animal’s condition, refusal to feed, vomiting, and an increase in body temperature to 41 °C or higher. Vomit is greenish-yellow in color with an admixture of mucus and sometimes blood. The color of urine changes to dark yellow with fluctuations to light orange. The feces become liquid, foul-smelling, and often contain blood.
The mucous membrane of the oral cavity is dry and bluish, conjunctivitis and rhinitis develop.

The behavior of the cat also changes: sick individuals look for secluded places, if they have a fever, they look for cool places, lie on their stomachs with their heads thrown back and limbs outstretched, or sit hunched over in a dark place, or over a bowl of water, but do not drink. This indicates, firstly, painful sensations in the abdomen and, secondly, pronounced thirst.
In older cats, moist rales are heard that accompany pulmonary edema. Some cats, regardless of their age, experience coma and seizures.
Sometimes a hyperacute course of panleukopenia is observed, which is accompanied by sudden death of animals.

The acute form of the disease lasts from 1 to 10 days. The likelihood of death depends on the age of the animal. Among young animals it reaches 90%.

Cats that did not die in the first 3-4 days from the onset of the disease remain virus carriers.

Treatment of panleukopenia

First aid for a sick animal is quite simple: if the cat refuses food, you should not force feed or water it. The first thing the owner should do is measure her body temperature. However, at the first symptoms of the disease, immediately contact your veterinarian, who will make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment.
The diagnosis is made on the basis of clinical and epidemiological data and laboratory tests.

Leukopenia is observed in the blood - a decrease in the number of leukocytes to 4000, 3000 and below per 1 mm3.

Panleukopenia is differentiated from toxoplasmosis and enteritis of nutritional origin.
Treatment is symptomatic, which the doctor prescribes to eliminate secondary (secondary) infections. These may include broad-spectrum antibiotics, corticosteroids, subcutaneous injections of isotonic solutions to replenish the body with water and B vitamins.

If your cat has an appetite, this means that she is on the mend and the disease is receding. But do not forget: a recovering cat needs dietary nutrition, especially in the first 7 days after the signs of the disease disappear. And never interrupt the full course of treatment prescribed by the veterinarian (usually a course of 7-10-14 days), even if it seems to you that the cat has recovered. Incomplete treatment usually leads to relapse of the disease, in a more acute form and much more difficult to treat.

Recovery after panleukopenia

It is necessary to limit your cat's carbohydrate intake and gradually increase the amount of protein food. In the first days, the animal is given fermented milk products: cottage cheese, kefir, yogurt, as well as low-fat meat broth with white bread. On the third day, you can introduce fish and lean beef into the diet, always boiled and chopped, in small portions. You should start with 1 teaspoon, doubling the portion every day. You can also use ready-made diets designed to feed cats suffering from diseases of the digestive system.
The cat should eat little, but often - up to 5-6 times a day. The amount of table salt, mineral salts and vitamins should be the same as in the normal diet. In the first month after recovery, the cat should not eat raw food and vegetables.

Your pet - watch this - should not eat grass, this is completely unacceptable.

Cats that have recovered from panleukopenia develop long-term immunity against this infection, which is passed along with milk to future kittens and protects them from exposure to the virus for 10-12 weeks after birth.
The only effective way to combat this insidious infectious disease is preventive vaccinations, as well as isolation of sick animals. To disinfect bedding, bowls and rooms, it is recommended to use soda ash diluted with water in a ratio of 1:20 and formaldehyde in the form of gas.

Feline distemper

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Cats by nature are not big drinkers of water. Our cats' ancestors were desert animals, and in the desert and savannah water is a rarity. Therefore, evolution has adapted their organisms to exist in conditions of lack of fluid.

What does adaptation look like? First of all, they are used to getting most of their liquid from food. Secondly, the urinary system of cats is designed in such a way that their urine is very concentrated. That is, they retain maximum water in the body, releasing a concentrated solution of salts. For comparison, the normal density of human urine is about 1.020, in cats it often reaches 1.070, and a decrease in density below 1.035 indicates problems with the kidneys.

The cat doesn't drink water: why?

However, life without water is impossible, and you need to understand the nuances of the situation if your cat does not drink water.

The following options are possible.

1. The cat doesn't drink water because it doesn't like the container you pour water into. Experiment! Some cats like to drink from deep, large containers, such as three-liter jars or buckets. Others prefer flat and wide containers that resemble a natural watering hole. Still others love fountains and flowing water. One thing is certain: cats do not like to drink water from small bowls whose edges touch their whiskers.

2. The cat does not drink water because it eats only natural food or only wet food. Although water should still be available at all times, cats drink little or nothing on this diet (you may never see it). This is explained precisely by the physiological ability to obtain liquid from food. If your cat eats dry food, she needs to drink water!

3. The cat eats dry and wet food. If a cat does not drink water with this type of diet, this situation is quite problematic. Because she eats wet food, her genes tell her not to drink. But when feeding on dry food, she will experience a lack of fluid, because it is absolutely devoid of water. This can have unpleasant health consequences, such as leading to the development of urolithiasis.

4. The cat does not drink water because it is sick. A cat may not drink water due to various diseases accompanied by nausea. You can understand this if you notice that your cat often sits over the water bowl, but does not drink water. In this case, you need to see a doctor and get tested.

When it comes to drinking, most dogs are not very picky. A bowl of water or a dirty puddle in the park – it doesn’t really matter to them.

But cats are a completely different story. Some will not drink from a bowl of water if it is next to a bowl of food. Others prefer only drinking fountains or a kitchen faucet. There are cats that will not drink from plastic or metal utensils. Some of these preferences are rooted in the survival instincts that cats inherited from their wild ancestors. But in some cases, this selectivity is simply due to the fact that cats are cats.

Let's take a closer look at the quirks in the cat-water relationship and see what you can do to ensure your cat is getting enough fluids.

Cats love running water

You place a bowl full of fresh water in front of your cat, but it remains untouched. But as soon as you open the tap, the cat is right there to lap up the falling drops. There are several reasons why a cat may not want to touch still water. Instinctively, your cat may be suspicious of standing water because ancestral experience tells her that standing water is not always safe and can be contaminated. Running water is safer.

Another reason is the hunched position over the bowl, which makes the cat very vulnerable. Especially if the bowl is in a corner, so the cat is forced to sit with its back to other cats who might jump on it.

Also, dripping water from a faucet or running water in a cat fountain may taste better because it is cool and oxygenated. Plus, the movement of the water makes it more attractive. You probably noticed this when watching a cat play with a trickle of water with its paws.

The placement of the bowls matters.

Some cats will not drink if the bowl is too close to the food bowl. This is most likely due to the fact that in nature, cats try to eat as far away from the water source as possible to keep it clean from bacteria and other contaminants. Placing bowls side by side may cause food pieces to fall into the water. Cats also have a very strong sense of smell, and many cats don’t like to smell food when they drink.

Cats don't like "old" water

Cats are very sensitive to tastes. Try to change the water in the bowl every day, otherwise it will seem musty to your cat. Pieces of food and dust can settle on the water, making it not only tasteless, but also full of various bacteria. If your cat plays with water, dirt from her paws will also get into the water (think of the cat's litter box).

Wash your cat's bowl once a day with dish soap. Be sure to rinse the bowl very well. Leftover product can taste very nasty and can also burn your cat's tongue.

Cats need wet food

Because modern domestic cats are descended from desert-dwelling ancestors, they have little thirst. Compared to dogs, cats do not have an urgent need to find water. They will not, like dogs, look for any source of moisture just to quench their thirst. Because cats do not drink enough water and have very concentrated urine, they develop problems with their urinary system. Experts recommend preventing these problems by feeding your cat wet food periodically.

In the wild, cats eat prey such as mice, which are 70% water. Most wet food has a minimum of 75% moisture, while dry food has only 10% moisture. Therefore, wet food has two useful functions at once - it gives the cat the necessary nutrients and maintains fluid levels in the body.

Cats fed wet food also have a lower risk of developing hyperthyroidism, diabetes, constipation and obesity.

The size and shape of the bowl matters

Cats have very sensitive whiskers. If the bowl is too narrow, then the cat will have to experience the unpleasant sensation of touching the sides of the bowl with its whiskers while it drinks. Try a few different sizes and shapes to see which one your cat likes. Also try bowls made from different materials. Ceramic and metal bowls are much easier to keep clean, but cats often prefer wide glass bowls.

Make some drinking bowls

It would be great if you had several bowls of water around the house. Place them in low-traffic areas and places where the cat spends the most time. The main thing is to remember to regularly wash these bowls and change the water in them.

Monitor the water level

Make sure that the water level in the bowl never gets too low and do not fill it to the brim. Cats are creatures of habit and they really don't like change. Don't pour a full bowl one day and only half the next. Some cats start pawing at the water because they can't see the surface of the water and aren't sure where it might be today. Cats love consistency, so try to always pour water at the same level.

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It has been noticed that some cats touch the water with their paw before starting to drink. On many forums, when discussing this feature, participants ask questions about this “strange” behavior associated with thirst satisfaction. Let's take a look at this mysterious habit and try to understand why this happens, and what (and whether) we need to do something about it.

Cat quirks related to drinking.

Many owners can talk about strange “rituals” that their pets perform around their cups.

Among the “strange” actions most often mentioned are the following:

• Cats move a bowl of water;
• They scrape the floor around the saucer with their paws;
• They trample or roll around on the carpet or floor near the drinking bowl;
• They freeze for a few seconds, staring at the water, before starting to drink;
• First they touch the water with their paw, only then drink;
• They dip their paw, then lick the drops from it, instead of drinking directly from the saucer;
• Spill the contents out. Some people pour so much that the saucer remains practically empty;
• Various objects are placed in the cup;

In fact, their behavior looks strange only if you consider that they approach the saucer only to quench their thirst.

So what is the reason for these unusual actions around the drinking bowl?

Perhaps, it is unlikely that anyone will be able to give a short and accurate answer to this question. A person does not have the opportunity to simply ask the cat herself about the reasons for this behavior (more precisely, we can ask, but she will definitely not answer us). However, there are several hypotheses about why you need to touch the water, instead of just sticking out your tongue and starting to drink.

Perhaps with the help of the cat's paws determines where the surface of the water is. Please note that the cat's eyes are located in such a way that the animal, leaning towards the saucer, does not see anything directly under the chin. Therefore, having previously felt the water with its paw, the cat tries to more accurately determine the distance between the tongue and its surface. This also explains why some cats tend to look at the water before drinking.

Some cats like it play with water. We tend to think that cats don't like water, but in fact, many of them love to play with and even in water. When looking for ways to have fun, cats, and especially kittens, may find that splashing liquid out of a cup and leaving their surroundings wet is a lot of fun!

As for "trampling" or scratching the floor near the saucer, this behavior pattern is often associated with food utensils. Some experts believe that these are instinctive actions aimed at hiding food. Others see it territorial behavior, an attempt to designate ownership of a place around food sources. Probably, some of these assumptions are correct regarding the drinking bowl. This is all the more possible since owners often place food and drink bowls next to each other.

Is it necessary to wean a cat from touching water with its paws?

Generally speaking, if a cat simply touches the liquid with its paw several times before starting to drink, this is completely normal and justified. Most likely, she is simply trying to accurately measure the level of fluid to avoid getting it into her nose. This behavior should not bother you.

However, if the kitten moves the bowl, plays with water, splashing it all over the floor until there is nothing left in the saucer, this behavior needs to be corrected. There are many ways to do this. For example, the following might work:

• Use a shallow dish to reduce the attractiveness of water splashing out of it;
• Replace the saucer with