Why Does My Cat Camp Out In Front Of His Waterdish?

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   khawfashposted 14 years ago

   For some time now, I've noticed that he drinks a lot more water than I'm used to seeing him drink, and sometimes he'll just lay around in front of his dish, only to drink more water before he either camps out again or walks off.
   
   And all through the day, I see him drinking way more than my other cat.  Why is he so thirsty, so often?

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      raydrzposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Have your cat checked for diabetes.  Mine did the same and he turned out to be diabetic.  That behavior is called "water worshiping," they drink water all the time.
      
      Good luck.

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      loriamooreposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      One answer could be that your one cat just drinks more than the other. 
      
      Another possibility could be, and this was the case for one of our cats, that it could be diabetic or have a glucose issue.  When our oldest cat started drinking a lot more than usual, we took him to our Vet and bloodwork revealed that he was diabetic and needed daily medication.

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   resspenserposted 14 years ago

   It is probably the dry roasted peanuts or the pretzels.
   

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   cosetteposted 14 years ago

   my bunny is like this too right now. it is because the air is drier, and the heater is running in the house, which dries out a lot of things. notice your skin feels a little drier in the winter months? i also notice i have been drinking more water and am thirsty more often. as long as your cat is urinating and appears comfortable, i wouldn't worry about it.

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      khawfashposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks, Cosette.

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   cosetteposted 14 years ago

   you're welcome.

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   EmpressFelicityposted 14 years ago

   Reading the OP, the first thing that popped into my mind was "kidney problems".  I think there are specialist foods on the market that are designed for cats who have such problems.
   
   How old is your cat?  The older the cat, the more likely it is that they will have dodgy kidneys.

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      khawfashposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      He's almost 13.

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   whiteorchidsposted 14 years ago

   He is looking for a fish, lolololo
   just kidding.
   
   He could be diabetic older cats sometimes become privvy to that disease contact your Vet that is what my recommendation is.

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      khawfashposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      As much as I hate to admit it, I think you may be right.  Some years back, my vet thought he might be diabetic,but after running tests he was found to be ok.  But it looks as if that's changed.
      
      Anyhow, I'm definitely gonna get him checked out.  Thanks for your help, Whiteorchids.

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   TheWriterIVYposted 14 years ago

   The fact that he is almost 13 years old does have something to do with it. As cats get older they become more protective, obsessive if you will about what they believe is their space. I do not know how many cats you have had but if there are more than one their demeanor is different. They are by nature self-isolative. I have had and have many cats and I can tell you that unlike a dog, the cat feels that they own their surroundings not the other way around. No need for alarm, just a habit of him getting older. I have to leave the cold water running just a little from every faucet so that mine can drink despite the fact that there are several bowls of water out at all times - Check out utube for some interesting cats and how they drink water  - Its awesome.

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8. 61

   khawfashposted 14 years ago

   TheWriterIVY, thanks a lot for your response.

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   Cagsilposted 14 years ago

   My recommendation is to take the cat to a vet.

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    khawfashposted 14 years ago

    I'm going to.  Thanks.

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    torimariposted 14 years ago

    Interesting explanations. My one cat is almost 15 and once in a blue moon she chills at her water dish. Otherwise, she is spunky and still plays.
    
    Thankfully she went to the vet a month or so ago and had her blood tests done and doesn't have kidney problems. D: So, the protectiveness and other explanations of that behavior is very interesting. xD

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