I asked my cat and she ignored me so I am asking you lot

[IAmReallyFabNow]

Why is my cat drinking so much water each day? More than she used too.

Diabetes?

Or have you changed her food?

Kidney insufficiency

You need to take her to a vet

Have you increased quanitities of dry food?

Mine (I have 3) have all been drinking more since the snow started - I think it must have been because they weren't going out much and having extra drinks from puddles - now the weather's better I've noticed they are drinking less in the house.

Alternatively, he or she could have a kidney issue/infection which would warrant a vet's visit....

Can also be Thyroid problems which will improve with medication, but DO take her to the Vet urgently though, if its Kidneys early treatment can mean she'll be okay, late & you could loose her :(

There are a very large number of reasons a cat can start drinking more. As a vet I still had to take beautiful moggy girl to the clinic last week to investigate her excessive drinking.
Beautiful moggy girl is hyperthyroid so now hates me due to the tablets.

She was at the vet last month for blood tests but these were to check the level of medication in her system for her illness.

Nothing has changed in terms of her food. She has a huge variety of flavours and brands as she is very fussy. She only gets biscuits at bedtime.

I am so not wanting to take her to the vet as she has an illness that means she really shouldn't have any stress. When she goes to the vet she sleeps for the rest of the day and ignores me. I have to make the call though, I know .

BTW she is 16. Is that giving any clues?

at 16 I would suspect Thyroid even more, its common in older Cats

What does it entail, the tests I mean, and then what happens for my cat? I have had her since she was 5 weeks old and she has been fantastic company through some tough times.

it is a simple blood test, & then a tiny pill to the dose she needs to re balance her Thyroid hormones, usually they pick up massively within a few days

Does she show other symptoms??, weight loss, jumpy, looking a bit bedraggled etc?? if not, it may have just started, or it something else causing it, if she's "hissy" if you feel around her abdomen & any sickness or loose stools then that would indicate Kidneys.....that also is a simple blood test

Your Vet will know best, especially as she has other health issues, it may be related to that, I'm not a vet & don't know your lovely girls history, & can only reply based on my experience of the Cats I've owned over the years

Maybe ring your Vet & speak with them, see what they have to say, I'm sure they won't have you stress her for no good reason, & if its Kidneys it really is important she's seen quickly, I lost my old Tom Cat as he seemed to pick up, so I didn't take him & put it down to something he'd eaten....he hadn't, just the weather cooled down so his Kidneys were under a bit less stress, he had to be PTS:(

I am sorry you lost your precious cat .

I have phoned the surgery and the receptionist will put my question to the vet and they will call me back if they need to see her.

I just have an awful feeling in my stomach.

She seems fine in herself. She hasn't lost any weight and her fur and eyes are shiny.

The receptionist said I will need to monitor her water intake and some how I might have to get a urine sample from her and make a note of her toilet habits. I have no idea as she goes in the garden.

Vet has rung and said she needs blood tests so I am taking her early on Saturday. Thanks all, I might have delayed it if it hadn't have been for you telling me to get her checked. I hope she is okay.

Good luck IAmReallyFabNow Glad you're getting her seen properly :) I hope she's okay too, but more chance of that if you catch anything nasty early....I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for her too

Thank you. Trying not to worry. She came up to me when I was on the phone to the vet and I left the room so she didn't hear me .

Just to say that mu cat has been diagnosed with renal insufficiency- I had to leave him at the vet for blood work, drip etc for a couple of days- but now he's doing very well-he's on a special diet and has to have one pill a day. It's quite common in older cats. So don't panic

My old girl was the same. Drinking lots all the time. She has a kidney problem and is now on one pill a day (which she loves as it's meat-flavoured) and a special diet. She's doing absolutely fine which isn't bad considering she's almost 20!

I will have to buy a litter tray.

The receptionist said she would have blood taken from her jugular. I preferred it when they said neck.

I took my cat to the vet this week for the same reason, he started drinking lots of water in the last couple of months. I got the results of his bloods today and he has early kidney disease apparently. When I took him in the vet told me he looked in great condition so it was only the drinking that alerted me to any possible problem. He's 11 years old so not mega old. Anyway, they told me that if I put him on the prescription diet it should "work wonders" for him and I don't have to give him tablets so far. He has to go back for another blood test in 6 months.

Annieonamapleleaf, sorry to hear you've reached this point with your cat. Heartbreaking

Interruptingcow, how old was your cat when she was diagnosed? I'm feeling a bit today because my cat hasn't been in this vulnerable a position before and now I feel like he's starting to get old. I hope he is with me for a good few more years. Can the diet and meds really help to keep them at a good quality of life for a fair while?

Cat been to the vet. Poor thing was scared half to death when a dog got really close to her carry case and growled at her. I had asked the owner if they could keep the dog away but they didn't try very hard . Eventually the owner's father offered to take the dog out and I was very greatful.

FabCat has lost weight . Was very good when the blood was taken. The vet said her coat was still shiny so it was a good sign. She came home, had breakfast and has been trying to find a quiet place to sleep, away from the noisy kids.

Thanks everyone for prompting me to take her. Results should be back Tues/Thurs.

HavingKittens - she was 19 when diagnosed, almost a year ago. She'd never had a thing wrong with her before and I was convinced I was going to lose her. She's been absolutely fine on the diet and with the pills. Blood tests always come back good and she maintains a healthy weight. She's currently snoring her head off on the sofa next to me, the picture of cat contentment!

IARFN, hope FabCat is okay. Let us know the results.

I will, thank you.

Vet just phoned .

I really wasn't expecting there to be a problem and there is . Her kidneys are failing a bit and some electrolites?? are too high.

Vet on thursday for a jab, and to talk about things.

MIL says she is old.

DH says she is old.

FabCat looked at me really confused.

Oh sorry to hear this fab

Both mine had urinary crystals when they were older. Didn't kill them - other things did. But does mean you will be on a special diet if that's what it is. There's a great online supplier btw which is 60% less than the vet charges for the special food.

Hope your cat turns out to be just thirsty. :)