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1232362 tn?1333135406

cat won't drink from bowl suddenly

a friend's 16 yr old male in/out cat the past 2 days refuses to drink from his water bowl. he rushes in from outside (we're in the hudson valley having record breaking heat again) and runs to the toilet (never did this  before) and tries to drink from there, flips his water bowl over on purpose, outside tries to drink from hot tub or pool regardless of bowl options offered. could this be dementia or something else? she said he simply will not drink out of any bowl offered but tries vigorously to drink from inappropriate sources! a coworker who used to work at a vet never heard of this behavior-please help; we don't want him to get poisoned or drown!!!
Best Answer
Avatar universal
My guess is that the problem is the water, not the bowl.  Has your friend had any changes in her water supply recently?  Any changes in filtration? He is obviously thirsty and is able to lap and if he has not been allowed to drink for 2 days he is dehydrated.  He needs immediate attention.  He should not be going out in the heat if he is not being allowed to drink.  Try bottled water or let him drink from a toilet that does not have any tidy bowl stuff or other chemicals.  If that doesn't work he needs subqetainious hydration immediately.
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1232362 tn?1333135406
thanks-will tell my friend right away!!
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