LaPerm cat hydration tips & water fountain advice

LaPerms are gorgeous cats, but they're known for being particularly indifferent to water — and at three years old, if yours is already showing a low thirst drive, it's worth taking seriously now rather than later. Cats evolved in arid environments and naturally have a weak thirst response, which means most cats on dry food are chronically underhydrated without their owners realising it. Kidney disease is the leading cause of death in older cats, and low water intake over years is a major contributing factor. The two things that move the needle most are wet food and a water fountain. To point you in the right direction — is your LaPerm eating dry or wet food at the moment, does she have any existing kidney or urinary issues, and have you already tried a fountain of any kind?

That's a really common setup — dry food plus a still bowl is honestly the worst combination for a cat with a low thirst drive. Still water doesn't appeal to cats instinctively; they're wired to be cautious of stagnant sources. A fountain changes that completely because the movement triggers their interest. Before I suggest one — does she tend to be cautious around new objects in the house, or does she generally investigate things fairly quickly? And is noise a factor for you — would a quieter motor matter?

Perfect — a curious cat makes fountain adoption much easier. For a LaPerm in your exact situation — dry-fed, no health issues yet, low natural drive — I'd go with the Catit Flower Fountain. It has a flower-top design that produces a gentle stream and a wider basin, which gives cats the option to drink from the flow or from the pool depending on what they prefer. That dual option is genuinely useful for cats who are picky or slow to adopt new drinking habits. The filter is good quality, it runs quietly, and it's one of the more reliable units for long-term use. I'd also strongly suggest introducing even one wet meal a day alongside it — just a small pouch at breakfast, for example. That alone can dramatically increase her daily water intake because wet food is roughly 80% moisture. The fountain plus one wet meal is a realistic combination that should make a meaningful difference within a few weeks.

Yes — placement and patience are the two things. Put it somewhere she already visits naturally, not tucked in a corner. Cats prefer drinking away from their food bowl, so a metre or two of separation is ideal. Switch it on and just let her discover it at her own pace — don't place her in front of it or make a fuss. Some cats drink from it within hours, others take three or four days. If she's hesitant after a few days, try placing a small treat or a tiny bit of tuna juice near the base to draw her over. Once she's investigated and drunk from it a couple of times, it usually becomes routine quickly.

That combination is genuinely one of the best things you can do for her long-term health. At three she's young and there's nothing to reverse — you're just building good habits now that protect her kidneys over the years ahead. If you want to go a step further down the line, you can get a simple pet water intake tracker or just monitor how often you're refilling the fountain to get a rough sense of her daily intake. Good luck with her — LaPerms are brilliant cats.