January 24, 2010

Dear Obie,
I have a cat named Juniper who doesn't drink as much water as our vet says she should. Our vet keeps telling me to encourage her to drink more water. How do you get a cat to drink more?
Signed, George
St. Charles, Louisiana

Dear George,
Trying to get a cat to drink more often can be very frustrating for humans, especially when they know that drinking plenty of water is vital for a cat's health and well-being. In fact, urinary tract problems due to dehydration is one of the most commonly diagnosed conditions in cats. Water is also essential in helping the body digest food and absorb nutrients, and to flush out bodily waste. Water also helps control a cat's body temperature.

Water is the second most important nutrient in your cat's body, next to oxygen. A cat can go for days without food and lose up to forty percent of their body weight and still survive. But when a cat loses just ten percent of it's body's water, important organs will begin to shut down. A loss of fifteen percent of body water will kill a cat.

So what is a human to do when kitty refuses to drink? Well, you can start by making your cat's water more appealing. Start by keeping Juniper's water bowl clean. Just as a human will not drink from a dirty glass, cat's don't want to drink from dirty water bowls. Yuck! And a dirty water bowl can be a breeding ground for nasty bacteria. I don't know about you, but I have no desire to drink bacteria.

Many cats prefer to drink running water. My humans have a pet fountain in the corner of the living room, and I love it. The sound of running water is appealing to cats, and running water has less chance of developing bacteria. Also, cat's prefer cool water, and water that flows through a pet fountain is cooler than standing water. Plus, the filter keeps the water much cleaner.

Here's another hint. If Juniper is still being obstinate, try adding a little tuna juice to the water. We cats go nuts over tuna juice! The smell of the tuna will make Juniper want to drink the water.

If Juniper is still being stubborn, talk more with your vet to find out if they have any helpful hints.

Thanks for your email!
Your friend,
Obie

*****

Dear Obie,
I have three cats, a dog, and a parrot. I do my best to take good care of my pets, and I love them dearly. I've been thinking a lot recently about what makes a good pet owner. Do you have any thoughts on the subject?
Signed, Paul
Canby, Oregon

Dear Paul,
I believe there are several characteristics that can define who is a "good" pet owner.

A good pet owner makes sure their pet is fed only the highest quality food and always has access to fresh, clean water. A pet's diet goes a long way towards determining the quality of a pet's health.

A good pet owner will make sure its pets are spayed or neutered. Pets that are fixed live longer lives, and are less likely to have behavioral or dominance issues.

A good pet owner makes sure their pets are up-to-date on all their vaccinations, and receive regular check-ups from a veterinarian.

A good pet owner keeps their home and yard safe for their pets. Poisons and chemicals are safely locked away, and hazardous items are kept out of a pet's reach. It's no different than making a home safe for a toddler.

A good pet owner will provide their pet with either a microchip or a collar with identification and a number where they can be reached. Many pets that end up in shelters are family pets that wander away from home and get lost, and without a tag or microchip, it is nearly impossible to get them back home again.

A good pet owner keeps their pets safe by containing them in a house or yard. An indoor-only cat will live anywhere from twelve to seventeen years on average, while an outdoor cat normally lives only two to three years!

A good pet owner gives their pet a lot of love and attention. Pets crave approval and love from their humans. Giving them what they need makes them feel happy and secure.

A good pet owner will get their pet to a vet at the first sign of illness. Waiting a few days to see if your pet gets better can often have the opposite effect, and makes it harder for your vet to treat them.

Paul, if you meet all the criteria on this list, then I would consider you a good pet owner!

Your friend,
Obie

*****

"What is more beautiful; feline movement or feline stillness?"
-Elizabeth Hamilton

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Remember, I am not a vet. I am a cat. Please talk to your vet before making any health decisions regarding your pets! And please visit my human's webpage at www.donamiet.com