Why Is My Cat Drinking So Much Water? Causes, Red Flags, and Veterinary Tests
Learn why increased thirst in cats is a critical medical signal: normal vs abnormal water intake (mL/kg), top causes (CKD, Diabetes, Thyroid), and lab tests.
If your indoor cat has suddenly started hovering over the water bowl, licking running faucets, or drinking out of bathroom sinks, you are observing one of the most reliable clinical alarm bells in feline medicine.
In dogs, drinking extra water can occasionally be an innocent response to a hot afternoon or active play (see our clinical guide to why dogs drink excess water). In cats, however, increased thirst (polydipsia) is almost never behavioral or benign.
Domestic cats (Felis catus) evolved from the African wildcat (Felis lybica), a desert-dwelling predator. Their bodies are biologically engineered to extract nearly all their daily moisture from prey and produce extraordinarily concentrated urine. When an adult or senior cat noticeably increases their daily water consumption, it indicates that their kidneys, pancreas, or thyroid gland are no longer functioning normally.
Below is an evidence-based clinical guide to understanding feline water intake, identifying the "Big Three" feline diseases responsible for polydipsia, recognizing when excessive thirst is a life-threatening emergency, and navigating the exact diagnostic tests your veterinarian will run.
Direct Answer: What to Do If Your Cat Is Drinking Excessively
If you have noticed your cat drinking more water than usual or producing unusually heavy, saturated urine clumps in the litter box, follow this clinical triage pathway:
[Owner Observes Increased Water Bowl Visits or Sink Drinking]
│
▼
[Check for Acute Red Flag Emergency Signs]
- Persistent vomiting, anorexia, profound lethargy
- Acetone / fruity breath odor (Diabetic Ketoacidosis)
- Extreme straining in litter box with no urine (Urethral Obstruction)
│
┌────────────┴────────────┐
▼ ▼
[RED FLAGS PRESENT] [CAT IS ALERT & EATING]
│ │
▼ ▼
[Immediate Veterinary [Schedule Comprehensive Exam]
Emergency Hospital] - Keep fresh water accessible 24/7
- IV Fluid resuscitation - NEVER restrict water
- Emergency electrolyte - Book clinic visit within 2–5 days
& blood gas panel
│
▼
[Stepwise Veterinary Diagnostic Workup]
1. Urinalysis via Cystocentesis (Optical USG, Glucose, Protein)
2. Complete Blood Chemistry (BUN, Creatinine, SDMA, Electrolytes)
3. Total T4 (Thyroid Hormone Screening)
4. Complete Blood Count (CBC) & Doppler Blood Pressure
- NEVER restrict your cat's water access. Withholding water to reduce litter box mess will cause rapid, fatal hypovolemic dehydration and acute kidney failure within 12 to 24 hours.
- Examine the litter box clumps. Are the urine clumps twice as large and heavy as they were a month ago? True polydipsia is almost always driven by polyuria (excessive water loss in urine).
- Check for emergency red flags. If your cat is lethargic, vomiting, refusing food, or has sweet/acetone-scented breath, seek emergency veterinary care immediately.
- Schedule a comprehensive diagnostic workup. Book an appointment for a physical exam, in-house urinalysis (refractometer USG), full blood chemistry panel, SDMA, and Total T4.
Feline Water Physiology: How Much Water Should a Cat Actually Drink?
To identify abnormal drinking, we must first establish the physiological baseline of normal feline water balance.
DIET MOISTURE VS DAILY WATER BOWL INTAKE IN CATS
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ │
│ 100% Canned Wet Food Diet (~75%–80% Moisture) │
│ ┌───────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ Food Moisture: 140–180 mL/day │ │
│ └───────────────────────────────┘ │
│ Bowl Intake: < 10–20 mL/day (Cat rarely visits water bowl) │
│ │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ │
│ 100% Dry Kibble Diet (~10% Moisture) │
│ ┌───┐ │
│ │15m│ <-- Food Moisture: ~15 mL/day │
│ └───┘ │
│ ┌───────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ Bowl Intake: 130–180 mL/day │ (Cat drinks regularly) │
│ └───────────────────────────────┘ │
│ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
A healthy, non-lactating adult cat requires approximately 40 to 60 mL of total water per kilogram of body weight per day (roughly 0.6 to 0.9 fluid ounces per pound) to maintain homeostasis. However, the amount a cat drinks from a bowl depends almost entirely on the moisture content of their diet:
1. The Wet Food Diet (Canned / Pouch)
Commercial canned cat food contains between 75% and 80% water. A 10-lb (4.5 kg) cat consuming two 3-oz cans of wet food per day ingests approximately 140 to 160 mL of water directly through their meals—meeting nearly 100% of their biological hydration requirements.
Clinical Rule: A cat eating exclusively wet food should almost never drink visibly from a water bowl. If a cat on a wet food diet begins draining water bowls or begging at faucets, they are experiencing significant polyuria/polydipsia.
2. The Dry Food Diet (Kibble)
Commercial dry cat kibble contains only 6% to 10% water. A 10-lb cat eating dry food must actively drink between 130 and 200 mL of water (roughly 4.5 to 7 fluid ounces) per day from a bowl to compensate for the lack of moisture in their diet.
Clinical Definitions: Normal vs Polydipsia
| Hydration State | Measured Daily Water Intake | 10-lb (4.5 kg) Cat Daily Volume | Clinical Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal (Wet Food) | < 15 – 20 mL/kg/day | < 1.5 – 2.0 fl oz (< 60 mL) | Healthy; diet meets moisture needs |
| Normal (Dry Food) | 30 – 50 mL/kg/day | 4.5 – 7.5 fl oz (135 – 225 mL) | Normal compensatory drinking |
| Borderline Elevated | 60 – 90 mL/kg/day | 9.0 – 13.5 fl oz (270 – 400 mL) | Early subclinical renal or metabolic disease |
| Strict Polydipsia | > 100 mL/kg/day | > 15.0 fl oz (> 450 mL) | Pathological; requires immediate diagnostic workup |
Urine Specific Gravity (USG): The Gold Standard of Kidney Function
In clinical practice, veterinarians rarely ask owners to measure daily water intake with a graduated cylinder because measuring evaporation and multi-cat consumption is difficult. Instead, veterinarians evaluate polydipsia by measuring Urine Specific Gravity (USG) on an optical veterinary refractometer (see our comprehensive guide to veterinary urinalysis in dogs and cats).
OPTICAL REFRACTOMETER URINE SPECIFIC GRAVITY (USG) SCALE
1.000 ─── Pure Distilled Water
│
▼
1.008 ─── Hyposthenuria (< 1.008)
│ Active tubular dilution (Diabetes Insipidus, Psychogenic)
▼
1.012 ─── Isosthenuria (1.008 – 1.012)
│ Same osmolarity as plasma; complete loss of concentrating
│ power (>= 66% nephron loss when dehydrated/azotemic)
▼
1.035 ─── Minimum Normal Concentrated Feline Urine Threshold
│
▼
1.060+ ── Hypersthenuria (Healthy Desert Feline Concentrating Power)
Urine Specific Gravity measures the density of urine compared to pure distilled water (1.000), reflecting the physical concentration of dissolved solutes (urea, creatinine, electrolytes).
Per the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) Consensus Guidelines on Feline CKD (Sparkes et al. 2016):
- Normal Feline Concentrated Urine (USG > 1.035): A healthy cat with intact renal tubules routinely produces urine with a USG between 1.040 and 1.060+. This hyper-concentrated urine allows cats to conserve fluid in arid environments.
- Minimally Concentrated Urine (USG 1.015 to 1.035): Indicates partial loss of concentrating capacity. In a dehydrated cat, a USG below 1.035 proves that the kidneys cannot adequately concentrate urine.
- Isosthenuria (USG 1.008 to 1.012): The urine has the exact same osmolality as protein-free blood plasma. The renal tubules are neither concentrating nor diluting the glomerular filtrate. In the presence of elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) or creatinine, isosthenuria confirms that at least 66% to 75% of functional nephrons are damaged.
- Hyposthenuria (USG < 1.008): The urine is more dilute than plasma, indicating that the distal tubules are actively excreting water. This is characteristic of central/nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, psychogenic polydipsia, or primary hypercalcemia.
Note on Dipsticks: Reagent dipstick pads cannot accurately measure urine specific gravity in domestic animals. An optical or digital refractometer is required.
The "Big Three" Causes of Feline Polydipsia
In cats over 7 years of age, over 85% of non-iatrogenic chronic polyuria/polydipsia cases are caused by three specific diseases:
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ THE "BIG THREE" FELINE PU/PD CAUSES │
├───────────────────────┬────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ 1. Chronic Kidney │ - Loss of functional renal nephrons │
│ Disease (CKD) │ - Inability to concentrate medullary filtrate │
│ │ - Biomarkers: Elevated SDMA, BUN, Creatinine │
│ │ - Key Sign: Dilute urine (USG < 1.035), weight │
│ │ loss, decreased appetite, dehydration │
├───────────────────────┼────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ 2. Diabetes Mellitus │ - Insulin deficiency or peripheral resistance │
│ (Feline DM) │ - Glucosuria causes osmotic diuresis │
│ │ - Biomarkers: Hyperglycemia, Glycosuria │
│ │ - Key Sign: Voracious appetite (polyphagia) │
│ │ with weight loss, plantigrade back legs │
├───────────────────────┼────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ 3. Hyperthyroidism │ - Functional thyroid adenoma (elevated T4/T3) │
│ │ - Hypermetabolic state & increased GFR │
│ │ - Biomarkers: Elevated serum Total T4 │
│ │ - Key Sign: Hyperactivity, howling, racing │
│ │ heart (tachycardia), voracious appetite │
└───────────────────────┴────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
1. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
Chronic Kidney Disease is the single most common metabolic disease of aging felines, affecting more than 30% to 50% of cats over 15 years old (see our treatment guide on feline CKD staging and management).
- Pathophysiology: As functional nephrons are replaced by interstitial fibrosis, the renal medulla loses its hypertonic concentration gradient. The kidneys can no longer resorb free water from the collecting ducts, resulting in primary polyuria. To prevent fatal dehydration, the cat's brain triggers compensatory polydipsia.
- Clinical Signs: Gradual increase in drinking over months, larger urine clumps, progressive weight loss, poor haircoat, muscle wasting along the spine, and decreased appetite as uremic toxins accumulate.
- Diagnostic Confirmation: Elevated SDMA (Symmetric Dimethylarginine) (which rises with 25%–40% loss of kidney function), elevated serum Creatinine and BUN, accompanied by a USG < 1.035 on a concurrent urine sample.
2. Diabetes Mellitus
Feline diabetes is overwhelmingly Type 2-like, characterized by peripheral insulin resistance combined with pancreatic beta-cell amyloid deposition and dysfunction (see our protocol for feline diabetes blood glucose monitoring).
- Pathophysiology: When blood glucose concentrations exceed the feline renal tubular threshold of approximately 250 to 300 mg/dL, the kidneys can no longer reabsorb the excess sugar. Glucose spills into the urine (glucosuria). The high concentration of glucose in the renal tubules creates an osmotic gradient, pulling vast quantities of water with it into the bladder (osmotic diuresis). The cat loses massive fluid volumes in urine and drinks voraciously to keep up.
- Clinical Signs: Rapid onset of intense thirst, flooded litter boxes, polyphagia (ravenously hungry), progressive weight loss despite eating large amounts, and in advanced cases, a plantigrade stance (walking flat on the hocks of the hind legs due to diabetic peripheral neuropathy).
- Diagnostic Confirmation: Persistent fasting hyperglycemia, positive urine glucose on dipstick, and an elevated serum fructosamine level (which reflects average blood glucose over the preceding 2–3 weeks, ruling out stress-induced hyperglycemia).
3. Feline Hyperthyroidism
Caused by benign adenomatous hyperplasia or functional adenoma of the thyroid lobes, hyperthyroidism is the most frequent endocrine disorder of middle-aged and senior cats (see our clinical breakdown of feline hyperthyroidism diagnosis and treatment).
- Pathophysiology: Excessive secretion of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) accelerates basal metabolic rate. Increased cardiac output elevates renal blood flow and Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR), while concurrent medullary solute washout impairs urine concentrating capacity. Additionally, thyroid hormones act directly on the hypothalamic thirst center to drive primary psychogenic drinking.
- Clinical Signs: Intense thirst and urination paired with weight loss despite an insatiable appetite, restlessness, nighttime vocalization (howling), unkempt greasy coat, vomiting, and a palpable thyroid nodule ("thyroid slip") in the neck.
- Diagnostic Confirmation: Elevated serum Total T4 (TT4) level. In equivocal early cases, a Free T4 by Equilibrium Dialysis (ED) or repeat TT4 is performed.
Other Important Medical Causes of Feline Polydipsia
While CKD, diabetes, and hyperthyroidism represent the vast majority of cases, several other critical conditions must be evaluated during a diagnostic workup:
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ SECONDARY CAUSES OF FELINE POLYDIPSIA │
├───────────────────────┬────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Pyometra / Stump │ Bacterial endotoxins (E. coli) block ADH │
│ Pyometra │ receptors in collecting ducts; surgical ER │
├───────────────────────┼────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Hypercalcemia │ Ionized calcium impairs ADH; seen in idiopathic│
│ │ feline hypercalcemia and lymphoma │
├───────────────────────┼────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Hepatic Insufficiency │ Loss of medullary urea gradient prevents │
│ & Portosystemic Shunt │ normal tubular water reabsorption │
├───────────────────────┼────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Pyelonephritis │ Bacterial kidney infection destroys medullary │
│ (Upper UTI) │ architecture; presents with fever & flank pain │
├───────────────────────┼────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Iatrogenic │ Glucocorticoids (prednisolone), diuretics │
│ Medications │ (furosemide), or recent fluid therapy │
└───────────────────────┴────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
- Pyometra (or Stump Pyometra in Spayed Cats): Bacterial infection of the uterus (or residual uterine tissue) produces E. coli lipopolysaccharide endotoxins that bind to and inactivate Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH / vasopressin) receptors in the renal collecting ducts. This causes acute nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, triggering sudden massive polydipsia. In intact females, this is a life-threatening surgical emergency.
- Hypercalcemia: Elevated blood calcium interferes with ADH action at the renal tubular cell membrane and can cause metastatic calcification of renal tissues. Common causes in cats include Idiopathic Feline Hypercalcemia (IFH) and neoplasia (lymphoma).
- Hepatic Insufficiency: Severe liver disease reduces the synthesis of blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Because urea is essential for maintaining the hypertonic medullary concentration gradient, the kidneys lose the osmotic pull required to reabsorb water.
- Pyelonephritis (Ascending Bacterial Kidney Infection): Unlike simple lower urinary tract cystitis (which causes frequent straining but rarely polydipsia), bacterial infection that ascends to the renal pelvis damages tubular architecture, causing acute polyuria, flank pain, and fever.
- Iatrogenic / Medication-Induced: Administration of systemic corticosteroids (prednisolone, dexamethasone), loop diuretics (furosemide / Lasix for heart disease), or anti-seizure medications (phenobarbital) directly increases thirst and urination.
When Is Increased Drinking an Immediate Emergency?
While most feline polydipsia develops gradually from chronic disease, certain acute presentations represent immediate life-threatening crises that require same-hour emergency hospital care:
EMERGENCY TRIAGE RED FLAGS FOR CATS WITH POLYDIPSIA
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ 🚨 SEEK IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY VETERINARY CARE IF: │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ • Cat is drinking excessively BUT vomiting repeatedly │
│ • Cat is profoundly lethargic, weak, or unable to stand │
│ • Cat has stopped eating entirely (anorexia > 24 hours) │
│ • Breath smells sweet, fruity, or like nail polish remover │
│ (Diabetic Ketoacidosis / DKA) │
│ • Cat is breathing rapidly or with an open mouth (Tachypnea)│
│ • Known exposure to toxic plants (Lilies) or NSAIDs │
│ • Intact female cat with purulent vaginal discharge │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
1. Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
If an untreated diabetic cat runs out of functional insulin, their body cells starve for glucose and begin breaking down fatty acids for energy, producing toxic acidic ketones (beta-hydroxybutyrate, acetoacetate). DKA causes severe metabolic acidosis, electrolyte collapse, dehydration, vomiting, hypothermia, and coma.
2. Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)
If a previously healthy cat suddenly begins drinking massively, followed within 24 hours by complete cessation of urination (oliguria/anuria), vomiting, and collapse, suspect acute toxic or ischemic kidney damage. Common causes include ingestion of any part of a true lily (Lilium or Hemerocallis species), human NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen), or ethylene glycol antifreeze.
The Stepwise Veterinary Diagnostic Ladder and 2026 Costs
When you present a cat with increased thirst to a veterinary clinic, the veterinarian will follow a structured diagnostic algorithm to isolate the underlying organ system.
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ STEPWISE DIAGNOSTIC ROADMAP │
├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ TIER 1: CORE SCREENING (Every Polydipsic Cat) │
│ 1. In-House Urinalysis via Cystocentesis ($40 – $80) │
│ - Optical Refractometer USG (< 1.035 confirms concentrating defect) │
│ - Reagent Dipstick (Glucose, Ketones, Bilirubin, Protein) │
│ - Centrifuged Sediment Microscopy (Bacteria, WBCs, RBCs, Crystals) │
│ 2. Comprehensive Blood Chemistry & CBC ($140 – $260) │
│ - BUN, Creatinine, SDMA, Phosphorus, Total Calcium, Glucose, ALT │
│ 3. Serum Total T4 ($45 – $85) │
│ - Screen for feline hyperthyroidism in cats >= 6 years │
│ 4. Doppler Systolic Blood Pressure ($45 – $90) │
│ - Screen for secondary hypertension in CKD / hyperthyroidism │
├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ TIER 2: SECONDARY INVESTIGATION (Targeted by Tier 1 Results) │
│ • Serum Fructosamine Test ($60 – $110) [If blood glucose is elevated] │
│ • Sterile Urine Culture & Sensitivity ($80 – $150) [If UTI/Pyelo] │
│ • Ionized Calcium Panel ($75 – $140) [If total calcium is high] │
│ • Complete Abdominal Ultrasound ($350 – $600) [Renal / Adrenal imaging]│
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
2026 Diagnostic Fee Schedule (National Averages)
| Diagnostic Procedure | Typical Cost Range | Clinical Question It Answers |
|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive Physical Exam | $60 – $110 | Evaluates hydration (skin turgor), body condition, thyroid slip, heart murmur |
| Urinalysis (USG + Dipstick + Sediment) | $40 – $80 | Confirms concentrating ability (USG), glucosuria, proteinuria, or hematuria |
| Comprehensive Chemistry Panel + SDMA + CBC | $140 – $260 | Evaluates renal markers (Creatinine, SDMA), blood glucose, liver enzymes, electrolytes |
| Serum Total T4 (Thyroid) | $45 – $85 | Confirms or rules out feline hyperthyroidism |
| Doppler Blood Pressure Screening | $45 – $90 | Identifies target-organ damage from hypertension (common in CKD/thyroid) |
| Serum Fructosamine | $60 – $110 | Differentiates stress hyperglycemia from true clinical diabetes mellitus |
| Urine Culture & Sensitivity (Cystocentesis) | $80 – $150 | Identifies bacterial species and exact antibiotic sensitivities for UTIs/pyelonephritis |
| Abdominal Ultrasound (Radiologist Read) | $350 – $600 | Visualizes renal cortical architecture, pyelocaliceal dilation, nephroliths, and adrenal glands |
| Total Core Diagnostic Package (Tier 1) | $285 – $545 | Standard first-line workup to reach a definitive diagnosis |
Why Restricting Water Is a Life-Threatening Mistake
When cat owners see flooded litter boxes, soaked rugs, or cats constantly drinking from sinks, a common instinct is to take the water bowl away at night or limit water rations.
This is one of the most dangerous actions an owner can take.
[Underlying Disease: CKD / Diabetes / Hyperthyroidism]
│
▼
[Kidneys Cannot Resorb Water (Primary Polyuria)]
│
▼
[Cat Loses Massive Fluid Volume in Urine]
│
┌────────────────┴────────────────┐
▼ ▼
[UNRESTRICTED WATER ACCESS] [WATER RESTRICTED BY OWNER]
│ │
▼ ▼
[Compensatory Polydipsia] [Rapid Hypovolemic Dehydration]
│ │
▼ ▼
[Cat Maintains Blood Volume [Pre-Renal Azotemia & Shock]
& Organ Perfusion] │
▼
[Acute Decompensated Renal
Failure & Death in 12–24h]
In feline medicine, polydipsia is almost always secondary to polyuria. Your cat is not urinating excessively because they drank too much; they are drinking massively because their kidneys are dumping water uncontrollably.
The cat's intense thirst is a compensatory survival reflex orchestrated by the hypothalamic osmoreceptors. If you restrict water:
- The kidneys continue dumping fluid into the bladder because the hormonal and tubular concentrating mechanisms are defective.
- The cat rapidly enters severe hypovolemic dehydration.
- Circulating blood volume drops, causing pre-renal azotemia, cellular shock, and complete cardiovascular collapse.
- An otherwise stable Stage 2 or Stage 3 CKD cat can experience irreversible acute-on-chronic renal death within 12 to 24 hours.
The Rule: Never restrict water. If your cat is flooding the box, provide more clean water bowls and larger litter boxes while pursuing veterinary diagnosis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my cat drinking a lot of water but acting completely normal?
In the early stages of Chronic Kidney Disease, Diabetes Mellitus, or Hyperthyroidism, compensatory polydipsia successfully maintains blood hydration and prevents clinical collapse. Your cat drinks enough to replace what their kidneys lose, masking illness. However, beneath the surface, functional nephrons or pancreatic beta-cells are deteriorating. Early diagnosis during this "acting normal" window provides the best long-term prognosis.
How can I tell if my cat's thirst is diabetes or kidney disease?
Both conditions cause polyuria and polydipsia, but key differences exist:
- Diabetes: The cat is usually ravenously hungry (polyphagia) while losing weight, and urine contains high levels of glucose.
- Kidney Disease: The cat often has a decreased or finicky appetite (hyporexia), nausea, muscle wasting along the spine, and urine contains no glucose but has a dilute USG (< 1.035) with elevated blood SDMA and creatinine. Only in-house urinalysis and blood chemistry can provide a definitive medical differentiation.
Should I measure how much my cat drinks before seeing the vet?
You do not need to wait days measuring water with a measuring cup. If you observe your cat drinking from bowls when they never did before, hovering over water sources, or producing large litter box clumps, that behavioral shift is sufficient evidence. Bring a fresh urine sample (or allow the clinic to collect one via cystocentesis) for immediate refractometer USG testing.
Can wet food cure my cat's increased thirst?
Switching to a high-moisture canned diet is highly beneficial for hydration and kidney health, but it will not cure the underlying pathological disease (such as nephron loss or diabetes) driving the thirst. If a cat with undiagnosed diabetes is switched to wet food, they will still suffer from osmotic diuresis until insulin therapy is initiated.
Sources
- Sparkes AH, et al. ISFM Consensus Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Management of Feline Chronic Kidney Disease. J Feline Med Surg. 2016;18(3):219-242. Available via PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26936494/
- Behrend E, et al. 2018 AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2018;54(1):1-21. Available at: https://www.aaha.org/aaha-guidelines/diabetes-management/diabetes-management-home/ (PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29314873/)
- Carney HC, et al. 2016 AAFP Guidelines for the Management of Feline Hyperthyroidism. J Feline Med Surg. 2016;18(5):400-416. Available via PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27143042/
- International Cat Care (iCatCare). Increased Thirst and Drinking in Cats (Polydipsia). Available at: https://icatcare.org/articles/increased-thirst-and-drinking
- PetMD. Why Is My Cat Drinking a Lot of Water? Available at: https://www.petmd.com/cat/symptoms/why-my-cat-drinking-lot-water
- Elliott J, Grauer GF, Westropp JL, eds. BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Nephrology and Urology. 3rd ed. British Small Animal Veterinary Association; 2017.
- Nelson RW, Couto CG, eds. Small Animal Internal Medicine. 6th ed. Elsevier; 2019.
