Hydration Tips - Meals
Keeping your kitty hydrated doesn’t have to be a daily battle!
Here are my top 3 tips to ensure your fur baby is getting all the hydration they need. <3
*I may earn commission from the links shared in this article! Thank you for supporting!
*I am not a professional! Any concerns you may have about your pet’s health should be discussed with your veterinarian or a licensed pet nutritionist.
TL;DR: Give your kitty wet food, ideally with at least a 2:1 ratio of water mixed in (2 parts food:1 part water). Try bone broth for extra flavor! If you have a kibble addict on your hands, try soaking the kibble in some water or bone broth. When in doubt, throw a liquid treat into the mix. Operation hydrated kitty is a go!
Tip # 1: Offer wet food instead of kibble
I know, I know. Kibble is easier, and some cats love the stuff (*cough* Remmy). I used to give my kitties 1/4 cup of kibble twice daily, and I split a 5oz can of wet food daily. Now, they get 1/2 tablespoon twice daily, and they split 2 5oz cans daily. Sometimes they even get a little lick mat snack! Slowly transition your kitty away from dry food as much as possible. But remember, the best food for your kitty is whatever you can afford! Your cat wants to be with you, and being in a loving home is the most important thing. If you can’t squeeze wet food into the budget right now, check out tip #2!
Here are some wet food options I choose for my kitties, including budget-friendly options:
Huge variety of flavors! (we usually choose a beef option, like this Beef & Liver Feast)
Cost: $ (~0.29/oz)
Great variety of flavors! (we have a poultry allergy in our house, so we usually opt for Tic Tac Whoa!)
Cost: $$ (~0.58/oz)
4 unique flavors (3/4 are poultry free! Woo!)
We also love the rabbit pate
Cost: $$$ (~0.95/oz)
Tip # 2: Add water or bone broth!
If you can offer wet food, great! If you can’t, let’s make it work anyway! Whether you’re feeding wet or dry, try adding water to your cat’s meal. Your cat may turn their nose at overly watery food, so start small and work your way up. I recommend trying a 3:1 or 2:1 food to water ratio to start (ex: 3 oz of wet food:1 oz of water, or 1/4 cup kibble: ~1 tablespoon water). You can try substituting or adding bone broth (like the beef, chicken, or turkey options from Open Farm) for added flavor. Ideally you can work your way up to a 1:1 ratio, but my family has personally been stuck at 2:1, so again, anything is better than nothing. :)
Pro tip: make sure the water/bone broth is at least room temp, not cold. Most kitties don’t love cold food (but yours might! Whatever works for your family is best).
Tip # 3: Try soupy snacks like treat tubes or pouches!
And yes, I’m going to tell you to try to add water or bone broth to these too. Don’t hate me!
If kitty is bugging you during the day, you want to add enrichment to their schedule, or adding straight liquids at mealtime isn’t working, try a soupy treat. These can be served alone or on top of your kitty’s meals. Think treat tubes like these ones from Churu or Delectables. Think broth pouches like these ones from Fancy Feast. There are tons of options out there. Yay hydration!
Pro tip: visit a local pet store and snag 1 of several options instead of investing in an entire case up front. Then stock up on whatever your kitty loves. Of course, as soon as you buy a case, your cat may change their mind…
In a nutshell, as quoted in this video I made, Doja Cat said it best. Keep it juicy. 😉
Happy Hydrating!
P.S., Check out our Amazon Storefront, where I compile all our favorite foods, toys, beds, and sick kitty essentials. <3
