{"id":1588,"date":"2026-06-24T15:23:28","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T14:23:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/news\/?p=1588"},"modified":"2026-06-24T15:23:28","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T14:23:28","slug":"helping-dogs-and-cats-drink-more-water-easy-hydration-tips-that-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/news\/helping-dogs-and-cats-drink-more-water-easy-hydration-tips-that-work\/","title":{"rendered":"Helping Dogs and Cats Drink More Water: Easy Hydration Tips That Work"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Practical advice on pet hydration, from Moor Cottage in Binfield<span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Getting pets to drink enough water can feel surprisingly tricky, especially with cats. But good hydration is one of the simplest ways to support your pet&#8217;s health, energy levels and comfort. The good news is that small changes can make a big difference.<\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s an easy, down to earth guide to helping both dogs and cats drink more, what to watch for, and how the team at Moor Cottage\u00a0can help.<\/p>\n<h2>Why water really matters<\/h2>\n<p>Water helps keep everything ticking along inside your pet&#8217;s body.<\/p>\n<p>Good hydration supports<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Healthy kidneys and bladder<\/li>\n<li>Digestion and appetite<\/li>\n<li>Temperature control, especially in warm weather<\/li>\n<li>Joint and muscle function<\/li>\n<li>Overall energy and wellbeing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Pets that do not drink enough can become dehydrated without owners realising, particularly cats.<\/p>\n<h2>Why some pets do not drink much<\/h2>\n<p>Not all pets are natural big drinkers. If you&#8217;ve noticed your cat not drinking water, you&#8217;re not alone \u2014 it&#8217;s one of the most common questions we hear.<\/p>\n<p>Common reasons include<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Cats prefer moving water<\/li>\n<li>Bowls placed near food or litter trays<\/li>\n<li>Water that is not fresh enough<\/li>\n<li>Stress or changes at home<\/li>\n<li>Feeding mainly dry food<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Understanding these habits helps you encourage better drinking without forcing it.<\/p>\n<h2>Water fountains: why they help<\/h2>\n<p>A cat water fountain is especially popular with cats, but many dogs like them too.<\/p>\n<p>Benefits of fountains<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Flowing water smells fresher to pets<\/li>\n<li>Encourages curiosity and play<\/li>\n<li>Often leads to more frequent drinking<\/li>\n<li>Keeps water cooler and cleaner<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If your pet is unsure at first, place the fountain next to their usual bowl and give them time to explore.<\/p>\n<h2>Wet food and hydration<\/h2>\n<p>Food can play a big role in water intake.<\/p>\n<p>Wet food helps because<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>It contains much more moisture than dry food<\/li>\n<li>It adds water without your pet having to drink<\/li>\n<li>It can support urinary health, especially in cats<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You do not always need to switch fully to wet food. Even adding one wet meal a day can help boost overall hydration.<\/p>\n<p>The team at Moor Cottage\u00a0can advise on the right balance for your pet.<\/p>\n<h2>Simple ways to encourage drinking<\/h2>\n<p>Small tweaks often work best.<\/p>\n<p>Try<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Using ceramic or metal bowls instead of plastic<\/li>\n<li>Placing multiple water bowls around the house<\/li>\n<li>Refreshing water at least once a day<\/li>\n<li>Adding a splash of water to food if suitable<\/li>\n<li>Offering ice cubes as a treat for dogs in warm weather<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Some pets prefer quiet corners, others like drinking where you are. Let them choose.<\/p>\n<h2>Hydration signs to watch for<\/h2>\n<p>Pets do not always show dog dehydration signs or feline equivalents clearly.<\/p>\n<p>Keep an eye out for<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Lethargy or low energy<\/li>\n<li>Dry gums<\/li>\n<li>Reduced appetite<\/li>\n<li>Dark or strong smelling urine<\/li>\n<li>In cats, fewer visits to the litter tray<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you are worried, it is always better to check.<\/p>\n<h2>When a sudden change in drinking is worth a vet check<\/h2>\n<p>Tweaks at home are great for the day-to-day, but a noticeable change in how much your pet is drinking is worth a proper conversation with the practice rather than just adjusting their bowl.<\/p>\n<p>A clear increase in drinking can sometimes be an early sign of conditions like kidney disease, diabetes, an overactive thyroid in cats, or Cushing&#8217;s disease in dogs. A sudden drop in drinking, especially in cats, is also a red flag and shouldn&#8217;t be ignored.<\/p>\n<p>If you spot a change that doesn&#8217;t seem to be explained by hot weather, more exercise, or a recent food change, please book an appointment with Moor Cottage. Catching these things early often makes a real difference to how easily they can be managed.<\/p>\n<h2>How your vet can help<\/h2>\n<p>If hydration is a concern, the team at Moor Cottage\u00a0can:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Check for dehydration or underlying issues<\/li>\n<li>Advise on diet choices to support water intake<\/li>\n<li>Help manage kidney or urinary conditions<\/li>\n<li>Recommend practical changes that suit your pet<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For older cats with kidney concerns, we run a dedicated senior cat clinic at Moor Cottage.<\/p>\n<h2>Keep it simple and consistent<\/h2>\n<p>Encouraging pets to drink more does not need to be complicated. A cleaner bowl, a fountain, or a bit more wet food can all make a difference. The key is finding what works for your dog or cat and sticking with it. If you are unsure, have a chat with Moor Cottage. A quick check now can help prevent problems later and keep your pet feeling their best.<\/p>\n<h2>Quick answers<\/h2>\n<div class=\"faq-list\" data-clickingmad-faqs data-options='{\"category\":\"pet-insurance\",\"openFirstQuestion\":true,\"onlyAllowOneOpen\":true,\"includeStructuredData\":true,\"class\":\"\"}' data-instance-id=\"1\"><div class=\"faq-item\"><h3 class=\"faq-question\">What is a co-payment on pet insurance?<\/h3><div class=\"faq-answer\"><p>A co-payment is a percentage of the remaining claim, often around 20 per cent, that you have to pay on top of the excess. It is usually introduced or increased at renewal as your pet gets older.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"faq-item\"><h3 class=\"faq-question\">What is the difference between lifetime cover and time limited cover?<\/h3><div class=\"faq-answer\"><p>Lifetime cover keeps paying out for the same condition each policy year up to an annual limit. Time limited cover only pays for a set period, usually 12 months from the date of first claim. For chronic conditions, lifetime cover is usually the better choice.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"faq-item\"><h3 class=\"faq-question\">Can I claim for my pet&#8217;s vaccinations on insurance?<\/h3><div class=\"faq-answer\"><p>Generally no \u2014 vaccinations and routine flea, tick and worm treatments are not covered by standard pet insurance. Some practices, including Moor Cottage, offer a separate Pet Health Plan to spread routine care into a monthly fee.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"faq-item\"><h3 class=\"faq-question\">When should I take out pet insurance?<\/h3><div class=\"faq-answer\"><p>As early as possible, while your pet is still young and healthy. Pre-existing conditions are not covered, and premiums and exclusions tend to increase as pets get older.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<h2>How to book and contact us<\/h2>\n<p>To book online or check availability, visit\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/contact-us\/book-an-appointment#vs-xc-branch\">here<\/a>. You can also call us on\u00a0<a class=\"trackfooterphoneclick\" href=\"tel:01344 450345\">01344 450345<\/a>, or pop into Moor Cottage in Binfield during our\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/about-us\/opening-hours#vs-xc-branch\">opening hours<\/a>. For out-of-hours emergencies please call\u00a0<a class=\"trackfooterphoneclick\" href=\"tel:01344 450345\">01344 450345<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Practical advice on pet hydration, from Moor Cottage in Binfield. Getting pets to drink enough water can feel surprisingly tricky, especially with cats. But good hydration is one of the simplest ways to support your pet&#8217;s health, energy levels and comfort. The good news is that small changes can make a big difference. Here&#8217;s an &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/news\/faq\/when-should-i-take-out-pet-insurance\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;When should I take out pet insurance?&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1588","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-general-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO 4.9.8 - aioseo.com -->\n\t<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n\t<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/news\/faq\/when-should-i-take-out-pet-insurance\/\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"generator\" content=\"All in One SEO (AIOSEO) 4.9.8\" \/>\n\t\t<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"aioseo-schema\">\n\t\t\t{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\\\/news\\\/faq\\\/when-should-i-take-out-pet-insurance\\\/#breadcrumblist\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\\\/news#listItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\\\/news\",\"nextItem\":{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\\\/news\\\/category\\\/general-news\\\/#listItem\",\"name\":\"General News\"}},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\\\/news\\\/category\\\/general-news\\\/#listItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"General News\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\\\/news\\\/category\\\/general-news\\\/\",\"nextItem\":{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\\\/news\\\/helping-dogs-and-cats-drink-more-water-easy-hydration-tips-that-work\\\/#listItem\",\"name\":\"Helping Dogs and Cats Drink More Water: Easy Hydration Tips That Work\"},\"previousItem\":{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\\\/news#listItem\",\"name\":\"Home\"}},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\\\/news\\\/helping-dogs-and-cats-drink-more-water-easy-hydration-tips-that-work\\\/#listItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Helping Dogs and Cats Drink More Water: Easy Hydration Tips That Work\",\"previousItem\":{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\\\/news\\\/category\\\/general-news\\\/#listItem\",\"name\":\"General News\"}}]},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\\\/news\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Moor Cottage Veterinary Practice\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\\\/news\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\\\/templates\\\/clickingmad\\\/images\\\/logo.jpg\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\\\/news\\\/faq\\\/when-should-i-take-out-pet-insurance\\\/#organizationLogo\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\\\/news\\\/faq\\\/when-should-i-take-out-pet-insurance\\\/#organizationLogo\"}},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\\\/news\\\/faq\\\/when-should-i-take-out-pet-insurance\\\/#webpage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\\\/news\\\/faq\\\/when-should-i-take-out-pet-insurance\\\/\",\"name\":\"When should I take out pet insurance? | Moor Cottage Veterinary Practice\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\\\/news\\\/#website\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\\\/news\\\/faq\\\/when-should-i-take-out-pet-insurance\\\/#breadcrumblist\"},\"datePublished\":\"2026-06-11T15:48:37+01:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-06-11T15:48:37+01:00\"},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\\\/news\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\\\/news\\\/\",\"name\":\"Moor Cottage Veterinary Practice\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\\\/news\\\/#organization\"}}]}\n\t\t<\/script>\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO -->\n\n","aioseo_head_json":{"title":"When should I take out pet insurance? | Moor Cottage Veterinary Practice","description":"","canonical_url":"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/news\/faq\/when-should-i-take-out-pet-insurance\/","robots":"max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1","keywords":"","webmasterTools":{"miscellaneous":""},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/news\/faq\/when-should-i-take-out-pet-insurance\/#breadcrumblist","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","@id":"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/news#listItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/news","nextItem":{"@type":"ListItem","@id":"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/news\/category\/general-news\/#listItem","name":"General News"}},{"@type":"ListItem","@id":"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/news\/category\/general-news\/#listItem","position":2,"name":"General News","item":"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/news\/category\/general-news\/","nextItem":{"@type":"ListItem","@id":"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/news\/helping-dogs-and-cats-drink-more-water-easy-hydration-tips-that-work\/#listItem","name":"Helping Dogs and Cats Drink More Water: Easy Hydration Tips That Work"},"previousItem":{"@type":"ListItem","@id":"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/news#listItem","name":"Home"}},{"@type":"ListItem","@id":"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/news\/helping-dogs-and-cats-drink-more-water-easy-hydration-tips-that-work\/#listItem","position":3,"name":"Helping Dogs and Cats Drink More Water: Easy Hydration Tips That Work","previousItem":{"@type":"ListItem","@id":"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/news\/category\/general-news\/#listItem","name":"General News"}}]},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/news\/#organization","name":"Moor Cottage Veterinary Practice","url":"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/news\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/templates\/clickingmad\/images\/logo.jpg","@id":"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/news\/faq\/when-should-i-take-out-pet-insurance\/#organizationLogo"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/news\/faq\/when-should-i-take-out-pet-insurance\/#organizationLogo"}},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/news\/faq\/when-should-i-take-out-pet-insurance\/#webpage","url":"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/news\/faq\/when-should-i-take-out-pet-insurance\/","name":"When should I take out pet insurance? | Moor Cottage Veterinary Practice","inLanguage":"en-GB","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/news\/#website"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/news\/faq\/when-should-i-take-out-pet-insurance\/#breadcrumblist"},"datePublished":"2026-06-11T15:48:37+01:00","dateModified":"2026-06-11T15:48:37+01:00"},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/news\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/news\/","name":"Moor Cottage Veterinary Practice","inLanguage":"en-GB","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/news\/#organization"}}]}},"aioseo_meta_data":{"post_id":"1588","title":null,"description":"Practical hydration tips for cats and dogs, plus when a sudden change in drinking warrants a vet visit. Advice from Moor Cottage in Binfield.","keywords":null,"keyphrases":{"focus":{"keyphrase":"","score":0,"analysis":{"keyphraseInTitle":{"score":0,"maxScore":9,"error":1}}},"additional":[]},"primary_term":null,"canonical_url":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"og_object_type":"default","og_image_type":"default","og_image_url":null,"og_image_width":null,"og_image_height":null,"og_image_custom_url":null,"og_image_custom_fields":null,"og_video":"","og_custom_url":null,"og_article_section":null,"og_article_tags":null,"twitter_use_og":false,"twitter_card":"default","twitter_image_type":"default","twitter_image_url":null,"twitter_image_custom_url":null,"twitter_image_custom_fields":null,"twitter_title":null,"twitter_description":null,"schema":{"blockGraphs":[],"customGraphs":[],"default":{"data":{"Article":[],"Course":[],"Dataset":[],"FAQPage":[],"Movie":[],"Person":[],"Product":[],"ProductReview":[],"Car":[],"Recipe":[],"Service":[],"SoftwareApplication":[],"WebPage":[]},"graphName":"Article","isEnabled":true},"graphs":[]},"schema_type":"default","schema_type_options":null,"pillar_content":false,"robots_default":true,"robots_noindex":false,"robots_noarchive":false,"robots_nosnippet":false,"robots_nofollow":false,"robots_noimageindex":false,"robots_noodp":false,"robots_notranslate":false,"robots_max_snippet":"-1","robots_max_videopreview":"-1","robots_max_imagepreview":"large","priority":null,"frequency":"default","location":null,"local_seo":null,"breadcrumb_settings":null,"limit_modified_date":false,"ai":{"faqs":[],"keyPoints":[],"schemas":[],"titles":[],"descriptions":[],"socialPosts":{"email":[],"linkedin":[],"twitter":[],"facebook":[],"instagram":[]}},"created":"2026-06-24 14:19:10","updated":"2026-06-24 15:08:53","seo_analyzer_scan_date":null},"aioseo_breadcrumb":"<div class=\"aioseo-breadcrumbs\"><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/news\" title=\"Home\">Home<\/a>\n\t\t<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb-separator\">&raquo;<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/news\/category\/general-news\/\" title=\"General News\">General News<\/a>\n\t\t<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb-separator\">&raquo;<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb\">\n\t\t\tHelping Dogs and Cats Drink More Water: Easy Hydration Tips That Work\n\t\t<\/span><\/div>","aioseo_breadcrumb_json":[{"label":"Home","link":"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/news"},{"label":"General News","link":"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/news\/category\/general-news\/"},{"label":"Helping Dogs and Cats Drink More Water: Easy Hydration Tips That Work","link":"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/news\/helping-dogs-and-cats-drink-more-water-easy-hydration-tips-that-work\/"}],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1588","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1588"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1588\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1589,"href":"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1588\/revisions\/1589"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1588"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1588"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bracknellvets.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1588"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}