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Cats are notorious for acting in confusing and amusing ways. But when do they cross the line from quirky to concerning? One area that can be a sign of concern is that they’re constantly lying down when drinking water. By lying down, we don’t mean sprawled out on their side; we mean crouched with their feet and belly touching the ground as opposed to squating with their belly off of the ground or standing.
While it can be a quirky behavior, it can also be a sign of a deeper problem. Here, we highlighted six different reasons that your cat might lie down to drink water.
The 6 Reasons Why Your Cat Lays Down to Drink Water
1. Anxiety
| Seriousness | Moderate |
| Signs | Hiding, skittish, decreased appetite, pacing, and hypervigilance |
If you just brought home a new cat or introduced your cat to a stressful situation, they could be lying down while drinking water due to anxiety. Lying down is a way to make themselves feel smaller and less noticeable, which can make them more comfortable while drinking.
If you provide a comfortable and loving home for your cat, they should get more comfortable with time, but if they suffer from too much anxiety, they need medical help to get over their issues entirely.
2. Diabetes
| Seriousness | Serious |
| Signs | Excessive thirst, excessive urination, weight loss |
If your cat lying down to drink is a new and consistent thing, there might be an underlying medical problem. Diabetes increases a cat’s thirst and water consumption, meaning that a cat with diabetes may spend more time at the water bowl. The more time a kitty has to be there, the more likely they may be to lie down as a resting measure.
They’ll also urinate more often, and it’s common for them to lose weight.
3. Dehydration
| Seriousness | Serious |
| Signs | Weakness, lethargy, poor appetite, and dry mucous membranes |
Dehydration can increase a cat’s thirst, so when they get access to water, they may be at it awhile, potentially lying down as they try to drink enough to balance their bodily fluids. Mild dehydration may only need more consistent access to water and a little encouragement to drink, whereas moderate or severe dehydration is likely to take some veterinary intervention. If you suspect that your cat is dehydrated, contact your veterinarian.
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4. Kidney Disease
| Seriousness | Serious |
| Signs | Excessive thirst, dehydration, weight loss, lethargy, bad breath, reduced appetite |
Similar to diabetes, cats with kidney disease will have an increased thirst, potentially extending the time they spend at the water bowl. While kidney disease can’t be cured, it can be managed with proper veterinary care, and the earlier it’s caught, the better. So, if you’re noticing that your cat is drinking more water than normal, see your veterinarian.
5. Pain
| Seriousness | Moderate |
| Signs | Meowing, limping, limited movement, extra sensitivity to touch |
When you’re in pain, you do whatever you can to reduce the amount of pain that you feel. Your cat is the same way. If the pain is in an area that makes it uncomfortable to stand up or crouch while they’re taking a drink, they’re likely not going to.
If your cat is experiencing pain, they’re often sensitive to touch and resist certain movements. Keep an eye on them, and if you see them acting differently in other ways, they might have an injury that should be checked out professionally.
6. Exhaustion
| Seriousness | Mild |
| Signs | Lethargy, lack of appetite, and falling asleep |
Have you ever been so tired that you don’t want to move?Your cat can feel the same way. While it’s rare for a cat to get this exhausted, if there’s something that’s been preventing them from sleeping, it’s possible. Try to help your cat get a good night’s sleep, and see if they start standing up when they’re drinking from there on out.
When to Take Your Cat to the Vet
You don’t want to waste your money taking your cat to the vet over nothing, but you also don’t want to ignore something serious. If your cat has suddenly changed their drinking stance, has increased the amount of water they drink, or is showing any other signs, it’s a good idea to get them checked out.
In Conclusion
If you think that it’s weird that your cat is lying down when drinking, it probably is. You know your cat best, and if it’s abnormal behavior for them, it might be a sign of something more serious. Watch for any other signs or abnormalities and see your vet if you have any concerns or questions.
Featured Image Credit: kalyanby, Shutterstock
