Introduction

It’s natural for cats to quench their thirst by drinking plenty of water. However, sometimes cats may drink more water than usual or polydipsia. If your cat has recently developed an excessive thirst, it’s important to understand the underlying causes and potential treatments and management strategies.

What Is Excessive Thirst?

Excessive thirst in cats, or polydipsia, is a predicament in which cats imbibe more liquid than normal. While cats ordinarily partake in around 50 ml of water per kilogram of body mass daily, cats with polydipsia may guzzle up to multiply or treble that sum. This can manifest in different ways, such as your cat drinking from the sink or toilet or drinking from the water bowl more often than usual.

Causes of Excessive Thirst in Cats

Several medical conditions can cause polydipsia in cats. These include: 

Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a prevalent root of polydipsia in cats. Diabetes is a disorder in which the body does not generate sufficient insulin, resulting in unusually high glucose concentrations in the serum. This causes cats to become excessively thirsty as they attempt to compensate for the glucose by drinking more water.

Kidney Disease

Kidney disease can also cause polydipsia in cats. When the nephrons are not performing optimally, they cannot adequately sift and secrete toxins from the organism, resulting in a buildup of pollutants in the plasma. This can cause cats to become excessively thirsty as they attempt to flush out the toxins.

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is a disorder in which the thyroid organ secretes excessive thyroid hormone. This can result in a raised craving and an amplified intake of fluids.

Cushing’s Disease

Cushing’s disease is when the body produces too much cortisol. This can lead to increased thirst and urination.

Diagnosing Excessive Thirst in Cats

If you suspect your cat has polydipsia, it’s important to take them to the vet for a thorough examination. Your animal doctor will presumably do a corporeal assessment and do some blood tests to investigate any hidden medical issues. They could also do a urine examination to observe for any discrepancies in the urine.

Treatment of Excessive Thirst in Cats

The treatment of polydipsia in cats will depend on the underlying cause. If the cause is diabetes mellitus, your vet may prescribe insulin injections to help regulate your cat’s blood glucose levels. If the cause is kidney disease, your vet may prescribe medication to help support kidney function. If the cause is hyperthyroidism or Cushing’s disease, your vet may prescribe medication to help regulate thyroid and cortisol levels.

Preventing Excessive Thirst in Cats

You can take several steps to help prevent excessive thirst in cats. First, it’s important to feed your cat a balanced diet and always provide them with plenty of fresh, clean water. You should also keep your cat’s litter box clean and provide plenty of entertaining toys and activities. Additionally, taking your cat for regular check-ups with your vet is important to ensure that any underlying medical conditions are detected and treated early.

Conclusion

Polydipsia, a state of excessive thirst, is a phenomenon that can afflict cats. Diabetes mellitus, renal dysfunction, hyperthyroidism, and Cushing’s syndrome are some of the pathologies that can be responsible for this irregularity. If you suspect your cat has polydipsia, it’s important to take them to the vet for a thorough examination and treatment. Concomitantly, there are various measures you can adopt to obstruct superabundant thirst in cats, for example, supplying them with a nutritious repast and furnishing them with copious amounts of pristine, hygienic water.