Cat symptom
Drinking & urinating more in cats
Noticeably increased thirst and urination together is an important sign that should always be investigated — it points to several treatable diseases.
Common causes of drinking & urinating more in cats
- Kidney disease
- Diabetes
- In cats, an overactive thyroid; in dogs, Cushing's disease
- Certain medications, urinary tract infection, or a uterine infection in an intact female
Who's most at risk
- Middle-aged and senior pets
- Overweight pets
- Cats (kidney disease, hyperthyroidism)
- Pets on steroids or certain medications
What you can do at home
- Always keep fresh water available — never restrict water to reduce urination
- Try to measure how much they drink in a day to tell your vet
- Watch for weight loss, appetite changes, or accidents in the house
When to see a vet
- Thirst and urination are clearly increased for more than a few days
- Also losing weight, eating more or less, or low on energy
- Vomiting, weakness, a painful belly, or a sick intact female with vaginal discharge
- A urine sample (and bloodwork) is the way to find the cause — book a visit
When it's more serious
- Thirst plus weight or appetite changes strongly suggests a treatable disease — get bloodwork.
- These with increased thirst can mean kidney disease or diabetes — see a vet promptly.
- Persistent increases warrant a urine test and bloodwork to find the cause.
What your vet may do
- Confirm increased drinking/urination and rule out infection
- Bloodwork and urinalysis to check kidneys, blood sugar, and thyroid
- Imaging or further tests based on results
- Treat the specific disease found
Questions to ask your vet
- What's driving the extra thirst — kidneys, diabetes, thyroid?
- Which tests do we start with?
- Is this manageable, and what's the plan?
- What should I monitor at home?
Frequently asked questions
What causes drinking & urinating more in cats?
Noticeably increased thirst and urination together is an important sign that should always be investigated — it points to several treatable diseases. Common causes include: Kidney disease; Diabetes; In cats, an overactive thyroid; in dogs, Cushing's disease; Certain medications, urinary tract infection, or a uterine infection in an intact female.
Is drinking & urinating more in cats an emergency?
See a vet today. See a vet right away if: Thirst and urination are clearly increased for more than a few days; Also losing weight, eating more or less, or low on energy; Vomiting, weakness, a painful belly, or a sick intact female with vaginal discharge; A urine sample (and bloodwork) is the way to find the cause — book a visit.
What can I do at home for a cat with drinking & urinating more?
Always keep fresh water available — never restrict water to reduce urination Try to measure how much they drink in a day to tell your vet Watch for weight loss, appetite changes, or accidents in the house
Sources
Reviewed by the Webvet Veterinarian Team
This guide is general information, not a diagnosis, and does not replace an exam by your veterinarian. If your pet is in distress, contact your vet or an emergency clinic right away.