Cat not drinking

[China Doll]

Hi All,

We got a cat last week from a rescue centre who has settled in extremely well. However he doesn't seem to drink anything at all, (I've seen him drink twice from his bowl on the first day so I know he knows where it is), he's not going outside yet so not drinking puddle water, he doesn't drink from the toilet (lid is always down), his water bowl is always fresh and not overly cold and is left to sit so I don't think it's the chorine. We have also tried different depth bowls/plates and that doesn't seem to make any difference. He has biscuits available at all times and eats 1.5 pouches of jelly or gravy cat food in the morning and evening, he has a great appetite.

He appears totally healthy, in no distress, loves to play, is very active and is very friendly with us. Should we be worried about the fact he's not drinking any of his water? Is it possible he's getting enough from his food? I've generally gone with the feeling that he knows where it is and he'll have it if he wants it but it plays on the mind a little.

Cheers :c)

[mickrog]

place the water dish well away from the food dish otherwise a cat is reluctant to drink from it.

[Mosaic]

They are very odd critters. If it is ill, it will stay 'asleep' in a ball. If it is moc=ving about and being a cat, let it be and don't worry. It is a lucky cat to have a home and remember, they eat all sorts of sh1te when living rough so don't doubt your own care standards.

[wolf63]

My two are indoor cats and I rarely see them drink - Frankie does 'HUGE' pees in the litter tray so he is getting fluid from somewhere, his sister has more delicate pees.

This is my favourite cat site - http://www.fabcats.org/owners/index.php it won't answer all your questions, but it is a start.

[wolf63]

What is the cat's name? How old is he? Has he been de-nutted? Where are the pictures? :-)

[China Doll]

THanks everybody, he's just lapped up some water that was used to boil (water had gone cold I should add!) some off cuts of chicken for him... he's clearly not got a problem with water, he just doesn't fancy tap water.

Wolf - His name is Eric, he's a little ginger fella, we got him from battersea nad he's apparently between 1 & 2 (I actually think he's a bit younger), he is of course de-nutted. His favourite game is fetch and he plays it like a small dog, running and returning his 'ball' (read 'rolled up tescos bag that he adores'), and he pretent growls as he's bringing it back. I'm not sure how I'd get a picture on here particularly but will ask snags and see if I can put one up :c)

[snags]

Wolf... here he is:

http://i151.photobuck...6/snagged_01/Erik.jpg

[Eve]

Awww! I'd have said my two were younger when I rescued them (18 months and 2 then) but they filled out quite nicely once they were being looked after properly, probably from being a bit skinny and unsettled before. Heathcliffe was the same, very skinny when I got him.

Bags and boxes go down well. My hoover box is now a permanent fixture under the table in the kitchen and Primark (or similar) paper bags are a favourite. I have to doublecheck the washing machine and dryer every time before I shut the door too!

[wolf63]

china and snags - what a handsome young lad, he looks bright and healthy. Ginger cats are beautiful.

My Princess Merlin never plays - she is stupid beyond all description. Her brother Frankie is a nice cat and plays with his toys - he won't play 'fetch' with me. He will play 'hide from the crazy fat hoooman' - usually when I am trying to find him to give him his asthma inhaler.

It isn't fair that they are allowed to get stoned on catnip without being arrested.

Enjoy your little boy - they are 'unique' (annoying, vicious, frustrating) little animals. :-)

[ladybirder]

What lovely clean ears he has:-)

[237SJ]

They say ginger cats are always Toms. I`ve never seen a ginger female cat. Why is that?

[Eve]

I've heard the same about red torties (like my two girls) something in genetics that they are only ever female.

I'm sure my great aunt's ginger cat was female though.

[nungate]

What a lovely puss! I know this because his twin lives in my house - he is a double for our Henry! Does he have white paws? I shouldn't worry about the not drinking water ours seldom drink water and they are all fine (we have 4 now) they eat sachets from whiskas and felix, and all sorts of stuff they are all indoor cats, though Molly has taken to the odd foray into the garden after spending 10 years refusing to cross the threshold! Don't worry too much, if he is eating and using the tray etc he will be getting all the fluids he needs - occasionally I give ours cat milk they love a little dab of cream as a rare treat, I have even tried them with bottled water but they tend to ignore it! One of them can turn the kitchen tap on if he gets thirsty!

[China Doll]

Thanks all, we like him... I will see if I can get a picture of his with his favourite 'ball'.

There are ginger females but they're rare, I found that out the other day too :c)

[ladybirder]

You can have female gingers as well but they are more unusual.

[wolf63]

I think that 75% of ginger cats are male - haven't managed to find an explanation of why this is - well, an explanation that I can understand.

[ummmm]

Awwwww......I have ginger rabbits :-)

Oh....and a ginger OH...

[welshlibranr]

wouldn't worry China Doll, he knows where the water is, and if he needs it he'll drink, probably getting enough from his food, if he was on dry food I'm sure he'd drink more........the important thing is that he's eating well and happily playing...can't be anything wrong with him!...........

[Eve]

Looks like genetics, just found this on torties:

"Contrary to popular belief, not all tortoiseshell cats are female, though the majority are. The genes that produce the tortie pattern are located on the X chromosome, and two genes are required (the red tabby gene on one X and the black gene on the other). As females have two X chromosomes and males typically an X and a Y, the only way a male will be a tortoiseshell is if he has an extra X chromosome (XXY). This rare genetic error results in a sterile male cat with feminine traits".

http://jennifercopley...a170162#ixzz1aEFSbcEs

[nungate]

Cats also love the silver paper wrappers off choccie biscuits rolled into a ball
not the plasticky sort, the good old fashioned wrappers. better watch out too when you file your nails as well they are fascinated by emery boards they do love to chew on them - cotton buds too Henry is forever running around the house with one in his mouth ( I think he was a smoker in a previous life!) and we don't know where he finds them but he thinks it a great game when we try to catch him to take it off him