Switched to vet food - doesn't drink now

[AngieR]

Well after a dicey first week we are doing much better but now that he is 100% on wet food he doesn't appear to be drinking. He is back to his usual self and is peeing still so I'm trying not to freak out but any thoughts on getting him to drink water too?

 

[BJM]

If he's being better regulated and getting moisture in his wet food, he may not need to drink.
The thirst and increased urination from diabetes should be less with better control.

You can check for dehydration by following the instructions in my signature link Secondary Monitoring Tools. If he's not dehydrated, he's doing well!

 

[Anitafrnhamer]

I wouldn't be too concerned. When I switched my non-sugar cat to wet food he hasn't drunk from a water bowl since. You can always add a little water to the wet; I do that daily.

 

[Olive & Paula]

I add water also. The DM is quite dense. Smokey still drinks a lot but now only have to fill the waterer every 4 days instead of daily and it's a half gallon capacity.

 

[AngieR]

Have any of your cats had diarrhea with the switch of food? He's still hungry and eats but this is a first!

 

[AngieR]

If he's being better regulated and getting moisture in his wet food, he may not need to drink.
The thirst and increased urination from diabetes should be less with better control.

You can check for dehydration by following the instructions in my signature link Secondary Monitoring Tools. If he's not dehydrated, he's doing well!

Thank you! So helpful!

 

[Julia & Bandit (GA)]

Well after a dicey first week we are doing much better but now that he is 100% on wet food he doesn't appear to be drinking. He is back to his usual self and is peeing still so I'm trying not to freak out but any thoughts on getting him to drink water too?

Since we made the switch to only canned food about 8 years ago, the only time Bandit ever drinks water is when his BG is out of control. My younger cat, Orpheus, doesn't drink water, either since he came to live with us and no longer ate dry food. I have a pet fountain, and on rare occasions I see Orpheus drinking from the stream, but that's it.