9 year old cat asking for (and seeking out water) kidney problem or just no rain

[suwoo]

He normally drinks in the garden and never meows for a drink, but at the moment there are no puddles. He's 9 which isn't that old to have kidney problems is it?

Sorry, have realised the thread title makes little sense

I'm sure you can guess what I am failing trying to say.

My cat is motoring through the water at the moment and is otherwise fine so for him it must be lack of rain outside.

I think 9 would be a bit young for kidney problems?

Title made sense to me

I shoukd think if he usually gets water from puddles and there just aren't any, it makes sense for him to ask for some, rather than it indicating a kidney problem.

Our cat is 10 and sometimes asks, sometimes doesn't. I suppose if he is drinking loads of water there might be a problem but I don't really know what loads is hor a cat.

Am not being very helpful I fear

Thanks you two. He does seem to be drinking loads but I have no idea how much he drinks from the puddles normally.

Kind of pointless thread all round, really.

Not pointless
I have to say I am pleased my cat's water bowl is actually get some use, instead of being routinely ignored in favour of puddles/bird bath/pond/drain pipe etc.!

There should always be a bowl of fresh water available anyway. Also, is he on a wet (tinned) or dry diet? Cats that eat tinned food can get most of their water requirements from that whereas cats that eat dry food will have to drink more.

My 2 never drink from a bowl indoors although it is always available.
One is a housecat and she only drinks from the bathroom sink. Every time anyone uses the loo then goes into the bathroom to wash their hands she's up in the sink ready and waiting. We wait to wash while she drinks. Spoilt or what!
The other doesn't seem to drink at all.
They are aged 3.

If you have any concerns you should see your vet to be on the safe side - only they are qualified to tell you if this is or is not a problem. It is not impossible at any age for kidney problems though they would be more likely in older cats. There are other reasons apart from kidney issues that cause increase thirst too, diabetes being one of the more important ones.

yes cats should always have a bowl of water in the house.

We had an old cat in my childhood who used to wake me up in the night peeing in my sink, four paws balancing around the edge.

I'd get a vet to check him out just in case - a raging thirst was the first sign of diabetes in my eldest cat.

POFAKKED - wish I could train my youngest cat to do this - it would save my house from destruction as he's taken to peeing on anything and everything other than the litter tray... grrr...

I second the advice to get him seen by your vet. If you can get one, a urine sample would be really helpful to them. 9 isn't ancient but they don't read the textbooks, and it would be a shame to dismiss the early signs of a problem as due to hot weather.

Doesn't the cat always have access to water anyway?

He might not have a raging thirst though, this may be usual for him I just don't get to see it.

Yes, he always has access to water. We live in Manchester

He may not have a thirst at other times, it's true - it may just be hotter and drier than other summers. But in that case the worst case scenario is your vet telling you he's ok. Alternatively he could be going undiagnosed with a condition for which he could be treated. If he was mine his urine would be checked. [shrug]