A guide from WoofWellCatsEveryday Care

Would You Recognise These Signs of Dehydration in Your Cat?

Dehydration in cats can be subtle. Here's what to look out for, and why it always means a call to your vet.

WoofWell Editorial 3 min read

A calm cat resting on a sunny windowsill

Cats are experts at hiding when something is off.

That's why so many owners never think about how much their cat drinks, until a vet asks.

Dehydration in cats can be subtle. Here's what to look for, and one simple daily change that helps make water a bigger part of your cat's day.

Signs worth knowing

The Cornell Feline Health Center lists signs like low energy, a dry mouth, sunken eyes and skin that is slow to settle when gently lifted.

If you spot these, see your vet.

But day to day, the bigger issue is simpler. Cats have a low thirst drive, so they don't always drink as much as we'd expect from a still bowl.

An owner gently stroking a relaxed cat on their lap

Make water easy to notice and easy to enjoy

Cats Protection and International Cat Care both suggest fresh water in easy-to-reach spots, and running water for cats who like it.

A fountain keeps water moving and filtered all day. Many cats find a stream more interesting than a bowl.

And its lit window helps you keep an eye on the water level, so you notice how much is being used.

The short version

Signs include low energy, a dry mouth and sunken eyes.
Cats naturally have a low drive to drink.
Fresh, moving water makes drinking more appealing.

WoofWell vs. a water bowl

	Bowl	WoofWell
The water	Sits still all day	Moves all day
Fur and crumbs	Float or sink in it	Caught by a filter pad
Your cat's interest	Easy to walk past	A stream they notice
Holds	A few hundred ml	2.2 litres
Material	Often scratchy plastic	Stainless steel
Water level	Noticed when empty	Lit window shows it

A cat drinking from the WoofWell Pure Fountain in a quiet corner

Quick answers before you decide

Will my cat actually use it? Most pets are curious about moving water straight away. Some take a few days. Put it somewhere quiet, keep the old bowl nearby for the first few days, and let your cat choose.

Is it noisy? No. The pump runs at about 30 dB. That's quieter than a whisper, so it won't keep anyone up at night.

Is it a pain to clean? Not at all. Rinse the steel bowl once a week and swap the filter pad every 3 to 4 weeks. There are no hidden corners for slime to hide in.

What does it plug into? It runs on a USB cable, so it works with any phone charger plug you already have.

Try it for yourself

You can't watch your cat all day. But you can make sure its water is always fresh and inviting.

The WoofWell Pure Fountain is R1,199, and delivery is free. Add 4 filters for just R100 more (R1,299, about 3 months of fresh water). Got two pets, or two rooms they love? Buy two Fountain + 4 filters bundles and get R599 off.

Every order ships with Aramex within 5 to 8 business days, anywhere in South Africa. You also get 7 days to return it if it's not right for your home.

Get the WoofWell fountain