Why Is My Russian Blue Cat So Thirsty? [Proper Reasons]

Why Is My Russian Blue Cat So Thirsty

So, Is your Russian blue cat seem to be more thirsty to drink water than it usually does? Is it always seeking its bowls, puddles, or any kind of water source? Well, the most simple explanation for this condition can be due to the hot weather or a change in your fuzzy’s activity levels. But, these reasons are not satisfactory enough for you to take the matter lightly.

Usually, cats including the Russian blues consist of a low thirst drive. So, if you are unsure about the sudden increase in its thirst, then it is a matter of great concern. Because an abnormal increment in the Russian Blue cat’s thirst can be a symptom of major health problems like kidney failure, diabetes, liver disease, etc.

In this article, I will be talking about the causes related to your Russian blue’s excessive drinking. Furthermore, I will also be discussing some topic related important facts and information for your convenience.

How Much Water Should Your Russian Blue Be Drinking?

In reality, the drinking volume and pattern of different cats are different respectively. But, in general, a cat should drink 60mls/kg per day of water. This means a normal cat of 4 kg weight should drink 240mls per day which is equivalent to a cup of water for healthy bodily function.

Furthermore, the diet of your cat is also responsible to provide the needed moisture to your pet. So, while calculating the volume of drinking water for your cat, you should also analyze the moisture levels of the cat foods. Usually, wet food contains 80% moisture while dry food contains 10% moisture.

After doing the calculations, a 4kg cat eating dry food needs to drink up to 200mls of water per day. Whereas, the same cat of 4 kg eating wet foods should drink up to 30mls of water per day.

If you are still unsure about how much your Russian blue should drink, then I recommend you to consult your veterinarian for details.

How To Know If Your Russian Blue Cat Is Abnormally Thirsty?

Are you doubtful about the abnormality of your Russian blue’s recent drinking pattern? Because it can be difficult to know exactly how much your cat is drinking as they derive most of their moisture from the food. But, It is always wise to ensure the matter for your peace of mind as well as for your pet’s well being.

The following are some of the tips for ensuring the abnormal drinking pattern of  your Russian blue cat:

Analyzing the Changes in the Behavior

You should look out for the following behavior changes in your cat:

  • Repeated trips to the usual water bowl.
  • Decreased appetite
  • Repeated trips to any nearby unusual water sources.
  • Enhanced nap hours.
  • Change in normal demeanor (more meowing or hyperactive)

Water Intake Test

The water intake test requires You to measure the volume of water your cat drinks. Follow the following steps to gain some accurate measures:

  • Take a measuring jug and fill it with water up to the desired measurement.
  • Fill the water bowl of your Russian blue cat with water from the measuring jug.
  • Keep the bowl away from the reach of your other pets (if any).
  • Let your pet drink.
  • After 24 hours measure the remaining water.
  • Repeat the method 2 to 3 times or even more to get an average.

Other Signs To Look Out For

The following are the other signs from your cat that you should look out for :

  • Increase in urination frequency.
  • Appetite change.
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Why Is My Russian Blue Cat So Thirsty And Drinking A Lot Of Water?

Finally, in this segment, you will find the answers to the main question of this article. Because I will be talking about the probable causes that are making your Russian blue cat thirsty to drink water excessively. The following causes include both normal conditions and serious health issues that can be dangerous to your pet’s health.

Hence, without further ado, the following are the probable causes of your Russian blue cat’s excessive water drinking:

Chronic Kidney Disease/ Kidney Failure

Chronic Kidney Disease or CKD is common in 20% to 50% of cats mostly over the age of 15 to some degree. Vets claim all the cats over the age of 15 years will certainly face this problem, because as cats are committed carnivores their kidneys work extra hard for filtration.

The kidneys soon begin to fail to cause an unbalance of the water levels in the felines’ body producing more dilute urine. So, Cats drink more water to keep hydrated.

In addition, cats also begin to lose their ability to concentrate their urine, making them drink water more often. Some other symptoms of CKD are weight loss, appetite loss, bad breath, vomiting, and seizures.

Blood tests and urine tests will help to confirm the condition, which will be irreversible and progressive. The treatment can only sustain the current functions of the kidneys, by dietary change, more water intake, and medications.

Hyperthyroidism

Problems in the Thyroid glands are not limited to us humans, Russian blues along with other cat breeds suffer from it too.

Particularly, cats suffer from hyperthyroidism, where the hormone called thyroxine produced from the thyroid glands due to a tumor becomes hyperactive. The hyper activism of this hormone causes another hyperactivity of the cats’ metabolism.

As a result, your pet faces weight loss, high blood pressure, high heart rate. But, the less known symptom is polydipsia. As the name suggests polydipsia is the term given to excessive thirst. This excessive thirst is caused due to increased kidney filtration due to high blood pressure from hyperthyroidism.

Diabetes

Diabetes in cats. Wait, what? Cats can have sugar diabetes just like us? Surprising and shocking, right? For those of you who did not know, cats including the Russian blues can suffer from diabetes just like humans.

Diabetes is caused due to the lack of insulin. The main function of insulin is to carry the glucose into the bloodstream to the cells where it is converted to energy. In the absence of insulin, the glucose builds up in blood and urine.

Similarly, water is also drawn into the urine with glucose causing an increment of urination. Hence, to replenish the lost water in the body, the cat has an increment of thirst causing it to drink an excessive amount of water than usual.

This disease can be diagnosed by blood tests and urine tests. Besides, the treatment of diabetes for cats involves providing insulin and changes in diet. Diabetes in cats usually occurs mostly in the overweighted cats.

Hepatic Lipidosis

Cats having Hepatic lipidosis suffer from increased thirst, lethargy, loss of weight, loss of appetite, jaundice, and swollen tummy. Hepatic lipidosis is a type of liver disease that is common in cats.

This disease is most common in obese cats and is caused due to the excessive accumulation of fat in the liver due to poor diet. Diagnosis can be done through a blood test and even biopsy if possible. Whereas its treatment involves aggressive feeding of a diet consisting of more liquid.

Pyometra

Pyometra is a womb infection, which usually occurs in female cats that have not to been neutered. The symptoms of this disease are thirst, fever, lack of appetite, vulval discharge, and vomiting. So to avoid this disease you should neuter your Russian blue when she crosses her age to seniority.

Dehydration

Dehydration has a wide range of causes in cats, apart from the above-listed causes. The following are some other causes of dehydration and further cause of your Russian blue cat’s excessive thirst for drinking water:

Dry Or Salty Food

Russian blues along with other breeds of cats do not drink water daily, because as per their origins they are desert animals. So, if they have a daily diet of very dry and salty food they do need to drink a larger volume of water to avoid hydration. Therefore, you should maintain their diet properly.

Blood Loss

The blood vessels rupture due to any source causing blood loss, but the blood vessels cloth over time. Your cat drinks extensively to maintain their blood pressure during the time of recovery.

Over Heating

If your Russian blue is active and playful their body can overheat from hyper activities causing probable dehydration. Your cat instinctively drinks water extensively to avoid dehydration. Another, cause of overheating is very hot weather. And as a result, your cat again drinks more than the usual volume of water.

What Should You Do If Your Russian Blue Cat Is Drinking A Lot?

When Russian blue is drinking a lot of water, then first you should try to break down the cause to simpler levels like environmental level or activity. Has the weather become too hot? Has your cat been playful recently? Is the food too dry or too salty?

If you are clear about the above-mentions not being the cause for making your Russian blue cat excessively thirsty, then you have to analyze their behavior or any symptoms related to the health of the mentioned issues.

I recommend you contact your veterinarian immediately after confirming any of the symptoms or even if you are confused regarding the cause of your cat’s drinking behavior.

A checkup with the vet will clear any doubts regarding the behavior as well as the current health condition of your furry friend. Because as sooner the start of the treatment the greater chance of positive outcomes of the problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Russian Blue Cats Drink More Water As They Get Older?

Cats at their young age already do not drink water on a regular basis. As the cats get older, they are even less willing on drinking water. Due to this, senior cats are more susceptible to getting dehydrated and develop various underlying diseases.

Why Does My Cat Yowl Before Drinking Water?

A lot of cats diabetic cats suffering from kidney disease yowl at the bowl before drinking the water. Some cats having an infected tooth have also shown similar behavior.

Another possible reason is static energy. A combination of various factors like synthetic fiber, metal bowls, and water can create static energy. The whiskers of the cat are very sensitive and can sense the static energy in its surrounding. The yowling can be a way to discharge the stressing static energy.

Conclusion

Due to their origins as desert creatures, cats including your magnificent Russian blue have a low thirst drive. They do not need daily sources of water for drinking like their canine counterparts. But, that does not mean they do not require a sufficient amount of drinking water. As insufficient drinking of water causes various health-related issues. Due to this, you should provide your cat with sufficient drinking water.

A sudden change in drinking patter resulting in excessive thirst in your little feline is a rare sight to be held. Furthermore, it can be caused due to simple environmental dynamism, activity level, or more serious health issues and diseases.

As a result, in any occurrence of your cat’s increased thirst or excessive water drinking behavior, a medical checkup from the veterinarian is most recommended. Moreover, the vet will be able to uncover the reason for the particular behavior or unveil the probable medical reasons.

You can always share your questions, opinions, or experience in the comment sections.

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