Research Article
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Investigation of the effect of water temperature on water consumption of cats

Year 2023, Volume: 7 Issue: 1, 50 - 54, 30.04.2023
https://doi.org/10.30704/http-www-jivs-net.1278513

Abstract

Cats can naturally obtain their water requirements on the water content of their food. The wild cats usually do not need to drink water, because their prey (e.g., birds, small rodents, insects) contains about 70-75% body water. The same situation is applied for domestic cats too, which eat canned wet food that contains high level of water. However, if the water level of the diet is less than 60%, cats need additional drinking water. A mature cat must consume 60ml/kg/day water to maintain its body functions without any problem. Otherwise cats will be easily dehydrated and chronic dehydration can lead some health problems such as bladder and renal diseases and circulatory problems. Any practical method that could increase cats water consumption, would have a reducing effect on the before mentioned diseases.
Regarding the water consumption, the taste of water has been found as effective as the other physiological stimulants such as mouth dryness, plasma osmolality and blood volume. Temperature is considered to be very important for the taste perception of animals. The preference for the water temperature varies among the animal species.
So we hypothesized that, cooling the drinking water can encourage cats to drink more water and we aimed to investigate the effect of the water temperature on water consumption of cats.
This research has conducted with 8 domestic, mature and healthy pet cats (Felis domesticus) that live indoor. We measured the water consumption of cats for two weeks. During the first week, temperature of water has not been intervened, and the cats' normal water consumption were measured. On the 1st day, 500 ml water, measured with graduated cylinder, was provided in a standard water bowl. After 24 hours, the remained water has been measured and noted. After each measurement, cat owners refreshed the drinking water. In the 2nd week, we started to add four ice cubes to the water bowl, three times in a day. First week, cat’s average normal water consumption has found 142,26±8,09 ml/kg/day. (p<0,05) In the second week, water consumption increased to 203,97±12,52 ml/kg/day after water cooling. “The Paired Samples T-test” has been used to compare normal and cooled water consumptions of 8 cats. Statistical analysis has been done with the SPSS program (Ver. 17.0).

References

  • Alipourmazandarani, F. (2021). Water consumption of cats (Felis catus), Degree Project, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SLU Department of Animal Environment and Health.
  • Bartlett, P.C. & Van Buren, J.W. & Bartlett, A.D. & Zhou, C. (2010). Case-control study of risk factors associated with feline and canine chronic kidney disease. Veterinary medicine international,  957570.
  • Bjornvad, C. R., Nielsen, D. H., Armstrong, P. J., McEvoy, F., Hoelmkjaer, K. M., Jensen, K. S., Pedersen, G. F., & Kristensen, A. T. (2011). Evaluation of a nine-point body condition scoring system in physically inactive pet cats. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 72, 433-437.
  • Brown, C. (1998). The Biological Importance of Water, Bio Factsheet. Curriculum Press, Unit 305B, The Big Peg, 120 Vyse Street, Birmingham. pp.1-4.
  • Chew, D. J.& Buffington C. A. T. (2007), Non-obstructive Idiopathic/Interstitial Cystitis in Cats: Thinking Outside the (Litter) Box, Paper presented at World Small Animal Veterinary Association World Congress Proceedings, OHIO, US.
  • Debra L. Z. (2002). The carnivore connection to nutrition in cats, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 221(11), 1559-1567.
  • Degen, A. A. & Kam, M. (1998). Roosters Prefer Cool Drinking Water in Both Summer and Winter, Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 7(3), 258-262.
  • Forrester, S. D. & Roudebush, P. (2007). Evidence-based management of feline lower urinary tract disease. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 37(3), 533-558.
  • Grant, D. C. (2010). Effect of water source on intake and urine concentration in healthy cats. Journal of feline medicine and surgery, 12(6), 431-434.
  • Hall, J. M. & Hung, F. & Zurich, M. W. (2003). The influence of diet on the body condition of the house cricket and consequences for their use in zoo animal nutrition, Zoologische Garten; 73, 238-244. 
  • Handl, S. & Fritz, J. (2018). The water requirements and drinking habits of cats, Royal Canin Veterinary Focus, 28(3), 32-40.
  • Hawthorne A. J. & Markwell P. J. (2004). Dietary Sodium Promotes Increased Water Intake and Urine Volume in Cats, Journal of Nutrition, 134(8s), 2128S-2129S.
  • Houpt, K. A. (1991). Feeding and drinking behavior problems. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 21(2), 281-298.
  • Little, S. (2012). The Cat: Clinical Medicine and Management. St. Louis, Missouri, US: Elsevier Saunders. pp. 982-985.
  • Michaud, J. P. (1991). A Citizen’s Guide: To Understanding and Monitoring Lake and Streams, Washington State Department of Ecology, pp.11.
  • Myrcha, A. & Pinowski J. (1970). Weights, body composition and caloric value of post-juvenile molting European tree sparrows, Condor, 72(2), 175-178.
  • National Research Council, (2006). Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats. The National Academies Press, Washington, DC, pp. 841-845.
  • Nesheim, R. O. & Atkinson, R. & Beisel, W.R. & Grinker, J. A. & Horton, E. & Jansen, R. ...Yates, A. A. (1993). Nutritional Needs in Hot Environments, In: Marriott B.M. (ed.), Chapter 9, Bernadette M. Marriott, National Academy Press, Washington DC, ISBN. pp. 173.
  • Nguyen, P. & Reynolds, B. & Zentek, J. & Paßlack, N. & Leray, V. (2017). Sodium in feline nutrition. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 101(3), pp. 403-420.
  • Noyan, A. (2011). Yaşamda ve hekimlikte fizyoloji, Ankara, Türkiye: Palme Yayıncılık, Ondokuzuncu baskı, pp. 6-9.
  • Pachel, C. & Neilson, J. (2010). Comparison of feline water consumption between still and flowing water sources: a pilot study, Journal of Veterinary Behavior Clinical Applications and Research, 5(3),130-133.
  • Reece, W. O. (2009). The sensory organs, In: Reece, W.O. Functional Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals. pp. 130. Iowa, US: Wiley-Blackwell.
  • Reece, W. O. (2012). Functional Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals / Evcil Hayvanların Fonksiyonel Anatomisi ve Fizyolojisi, Çötelioğlu Ü., Özcan M., Ankara, Türkiye: Nobel Akademik Yayıncılık, 4. Basımdan Çeviri, s. 36-40.
  • Rogers, Q. R. & Baker, D. H. & Hayes K. C. & Kendall P. T. & Morris J. G. (1986). Nutrient Requirements of Domestic Animals - Nutrient Requirements of Cats (Revised Edition), Washington DC, National Academy Press, First printing, pp. 17-30.
  • Ross, A., Willson, V. L. (2017). Paired Samples T-Test. In: Basic and Advanced Statistical Tests. SensePublishers, Rotterdam. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-6351-086-8_4
  • Teng, K. T., McGreevy, P. D., Toribio, J. L., Raubenheimer, D., Kendall, K., & Dhand, N. K. (2018). Strong associations of nine-point body condition scoring with survival and lifespan in cats. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 20(12), 1110–1118.
  • Turner, D. & Bateson, P. (Eds.). (2013), The domestic cat : the biology of its Behaviour (3rd ed.), Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp.199.
  • Zanghi, B. (2017). Water needs and hydration for cats and dogs. Proceedings, Nestlé Purina Companion Animal Nutrition Summit. Vancouver BC, pp.15-23.
Year 2023, Volume: 7 Issue: 1, 50 - 54, 30.04.2023
https://doi.org/10.30704/http-www-jivs-net.1278513

Abstract

References

  • Alipourmazandarani, F. (2021). Water consumption of cats (Felis catus), Degree Project, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SLU Department of Animal Environment and Health.
  • Bartlett, P.C. & Van Buren, J.W. & Bartlett, A.D. & Zhou, C. (2010). Case-control study of risk factors associated with feline and canine chronic kidney disease. Veterinary medicine international,  957570.
  • Bjornvad, C. R., Nielsen, D. H., Armstrong, P. J., McEvoy, F., Hoelmkjaer, K. M., Jensen, K. S., Pedersen, G. F., & Kristensen, A. T. (2011). Evaluation of a nine-point body condition scoring system in physically inactive pet cats. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 72, 433-437.
  • Brown, C. (1998). The Biological Importance of Water, Bio Factsheet. Curriculum Press, Unit 305B, The Big Peg, 120 Vyse Street, Birmingham. pp.1-4.
  • Chew, D. J.& Buffington C. A. T. (2007), Non-obstructive Idiopathic/Interstitial Cystitis in Cats: Thinking Outside the (Litter) Box, Paper presented at World Small Animal Veterinary Association World Congress Proceedings, OHIO, US.
  • Debra L. Z. (2002). The carnivore connection to nutrition in cats, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 221(11), 1559-1567.
  • Degen, A. A. & Kam, M. (1998). Roosters Prefer Cool Drinking Water in Both Summer and Winter, Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 7(3), 258-262.
  • Forrester, S. D. & Roudebush, P. (2007). Evidence-based management of feline lower urinary tract disease. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 37(3), 533-558.
  • Grant, D. C. (2010). Effect of water source on intake and urine concentration in healthy cats. Journal of feline medicine and surgery, 12(6), 431-434.
  • Hall, J. M. & Hung, F. & Zurich, M. W. (2003). The influence of diet on the body condition of the house cricket and consequences for their use in zoo animal nutrition, Zoologische Garten; 73, 238-244. 
  • Handl, S. & Fritz, J. (2018). The water requirements and drinking habits of cats, Royal Canin Veterinary Focus, 28(3), 32-40.
  • Hawthorne A. J. & Markwell P. J. (2004). Dietary Sodium Promotes Increased Water Intake and Urine Volume in Cats, Journal of Nutrition, 134(8s), 2128S-2129S.
  • Houpt, K. A. (1991). Feeding and drinking behavior problems. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 21(2), 281-298.
  • Little, S. (2012). The Cat: Clinical Medicine and Management. St. Louis, Missouri, US: Elsevier Saunders. pp. 982-985.
  • Michaud, J. P. (1991). A Citizen’s Guide: To Understanding and Monitoring Lake and Streams, Washington State Department of Ecology, pp.11.
  • Myrcha, A. & Pinowski J. (1970). Weights, body composition and caloric value of post-juvenile molting European tree sparrows, Condor, 72(2), 175-178.
  • National Research Council, (2006). Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats. The National Academies Press, Washington, DC, pp. 841-845.
  • Nesheim, R. O. & Atkinson, R. & Beisel, W.R. & Grinker, J. A. & Horton, E. & Jansen, R. ...Yates, A. A. (1993). Nutritional Needs in Hot Environments, In: Marriott B.M. (ed.), Chapter 9, Bernadette M. Marriott, National Academy Press, Washington DC, ISBN. pp. 173.
  • Nguyen, P. & Reynolds, B. & Zentek, J. & Paßlack, N. & Leray, V. (2017). Sodium in feline nutrition. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 101(3), pp. 403-420.
  • Noyan, A. (2011). Yaşamda ve hekimlikte fizyoloji, Ankara, Türkiye: Palme Yayıncılık, Ondokuzuncu baskı, pp. 6-9.
  • Pachel, C. & Neilson, J. (2010). Comparison of feline water consumption between still and flowing water sources: a pilot study, Journal of Veterinary Behavior Clinical Applications and Research, 5(3),130-133.
  • Reece, W. O. (2009). The sensory organs, In: Reece, W.O. Functional Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals. pp. 130. Iowa, US: Wiley-Blackwell.
  • Reece, W. O. (2012). Functional Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals / Evcil Hayvanların Fonksiyonel Anatomisi ve Fizyolojisi, Çötelioğlu Ü., Özcan M., Ankara, Türkiye: Nobel Akademik Yayıncılık, 4. Basımdan Çeviri, s. 36-40.
  • Rogers, Q. R. & Baker, D. H. & Hayes K. C. & Kendall P. T. & Morris J. G. (1986). Nutrient Requirements of Domestic Animals - Nutrient Requirements of Cats (Revised Edition), Washington DC, National Academy Press, First printing, pp. 17-30.
  • Ross, A., Willson, V. L. (2017). Paired Samples T-Test. In: Basic and Advanced Statistical Tests. SensePublishers, Rotterdam. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-6351-086-8_4
  • Teng, K. T., McGreevy, P. D., Toribio, J. L., Raubenheimer, D., Kendall, K., & Dhand, N. K. (2018). Strong associations of nine-point body condition scoring with survival and lifespan in cats. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 20(12), 1110–1118.
  • Turner, D. & Bateson, P. (Eds.). (2013), The domestic cat : the biology of its Behaviour (3rd ed.), Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp.199.
  • Zanghi, B. (2017). Water needs and hydration for cats and dogs. Proceedings, Nestlé Purina Companion Animal Nutrition Summit. Vancouver BC, pp.15-23.
There are 28 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Veterinary Surgery
Journal Section Research Articles
Authors

Zeynep Tatlıağız 0000-0002-5732-2436

İbrahim Akyazı 0000-0002-8808-8216

Publication Date April 30, 2023
Published in Issue Year 2023 Volume: 7 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Tatlıağız, Z., & Akyazı, İ. (2023). Investigation of the effect of water temperature on water consumption of cats. Journal of Istanbul Veterinary Sciences, 7(1), 50-54. https://doi.org/10.30704/http-www-jivs-net.1278513

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