For many cat owners it is unthinkable to let their cat roam free outside. Either because it’s just not feasible or because they are concerned about their animal’s safety. If this is the case, it is particularly important to ensure that the indoor cat is kept properly occupied and health-conscious. A fun yet decorative way to help with this is a DIY cat water garden.
Adequate water intake is an important part of a cat’s life. However, cats are not generally big drinkers, nor do they need a lot of fluids per day. An average sized cat (approximately 4kg) should drink around 200ml per day, which can often be achieved with an appropriate diet. Wet food contains a lot of water and is usually sufficient to maintain the necessary water intake.
However, there is no harm in getting the animal to drink a little more. This is especially important if the diet consists of dry food. There is barely enough water in it to keep the cat healthy. On the contrary, dry food is often associated with kidney and bladder diseases (e.g. bladder stones).
A few tips can help encourage cats to drink more.
- The location of the water bowl must be chosen with care as cats do not like to drink where they are eating. However, if the water container is in another room, this is very much in line with the cat’s instinct.
- Water bowls are offered at various locations. Cats are very demanding, they like to be able to choose from different options. This also includes the material of the water bowl, whether it is made of metal, plastic or ceramic. Several water bowls distributed at different locations offer you this choice.
- Water is always freshly offered, daily.
- Running water is stimulating for some cats. Drinking fountains, such as those offered in pet shops, do a good job as water dispensers. If necessary, the tap can also drip, the cats will enjoy catching the drops of water.
- If it should be something very special, it can also be a combination of water and cat-friendly plants. Cat grass is the most commonly used plant. Cats love to chew on it, it helps with digestion. An additional bonus: some plants spread a pleasant smell in the apartment.