Diabetes mellitus
Diabetic cats drink excessively as high blood sugar spills into the urine, pulling water with it. Weight loss despite a ravenous appetite is a classic combination. Insulin therapy manages the disease effectively.
Cat Symptom
My Cat Is Drinking Excessively — Expert Online Vet Help
Increased thirst in cats is a classic sign of metabolic disease — diabetes, kidney disease, or hyperthyroidism. Get a same-day expert assessment and guidance on essential bloodwork.
Licensed Vets
$65 Flat Fee
Same-Day Rx
24/7 Access
Moderate urgency — consult a vet within 24–48 hours
When to worry about increased thirst
Expert online help when your cat is drinking excessively
Licensed vet video assessment of your cat's drinking and urination patterns
Same-day appointments — most seen within 1–3 hours
Prescriptions delivered next business day when appropriate
$65 flat fee — no memberships or hidden charges
Guidance on bloodwork needed for diagnosis
Clear next steps for managing metabolic disease
Polydipsia (excessive drinking) and polyuria (excessive urination) in cats are hallmark signs of metabolic disease. Diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and hyperthyroidism are the three most common causes in middle-aged and senior cats.
TelaVets connects you with a licensed veterinarian who can assess clinical signs via video and guide you on the blood tests needed for diagnosis — often the same day.
Signs to watch for when your cat is drinking excessively
- Drinking from unusual sources (taps, toilets, puddles)
- Filling the water bowl more frequently
- Large clumps in the litter box
- Accidents outside the litter box
- Weight loss despite good appetite
- Vomiting
- Lethargy or reduced activity
- Poor coat condition
Common causes of drinking excessively in cats
- Diabetes mellitus
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
- Hyperthyroidism
- Liver disease
- Pyometra (unspayed females)
- Hypercalcemia
- Medication side effects
- Psychogenic polydipsia (rare)
Why is my cat drinking excessively?
Increased thirst in cats almost always signals an underlying medical condition that benefits from early diagnosis and treatment.
Chronic kidney disease
Damaged kidneys cannot concentrate urine, causing excessive water loss and compensatory drinking. CKD affects 1 in 3 cats over age 10 and is manageable with early intervention.
Hyperthyroidism
Excess thyroid hormone increases metabolism and water turnover. Hyperthyroid cats often drink more, urinate more, and lose weight despite eating well. It is the most common hormonal disease in senior cats.
How our vets assess this online
Our vets assess excessive drinking through a detailed video consultation and guide you on the diagnostics needed for a definitive diagnosis.
- Review of water intake changes and litter box output
- Assessment of weight, appetite, and coat condition on video
- Discussion of vomiting, lethargy, and behavioral changes
- Evaluation of age, breed predisposition, and medication history
- Recommendations for bloodwork (CBC, chemistry, T4, urinalysis) and follow-up management
Treatments we may recommend
Based on your cat's assessment, our licensed vets may recommend:
Bloodwork coordination and result interpretation
Insulin therapy guidance for newly diagnosed diabetes
Prescription renal diet for kidney disease management
Methimazole or thyroid management for hyperthyroidism
Subcutaneous fluid therapy guidance for CKD
Appetite support and anti-nausea medication
Ongoing monitoring plans and medication adjustments
All medications are prescribed only when clinically appropriate by a licensed veterinarian and dispensed through our FDA-compliant pharmacy.
Monitoring thirst in cats
Schedule annual senior bloodwork starting at age 7–8
Maintain a healthy weight — obesity increases diabetes risk
Feed a balanced, moisture-rich diet appropriate for your cat's life stage
Monitor water intake and litter box output as part of daily care
Seek vet evaluation promptly when thirst or urination patterns change
Why pet parents choose TelaVets
Licensed DVMs Only
Every consultation is with a licensed Doctor of Veterinary Medicine — not a chatbot or technician.
$65 Flat Fee
One transparent price covers your full video consultation and treatment plan. No facility fees or surprise charges.
Same-Day Appointments
Most pet parents are connected with a vet within 1–3 hours of booking, 7 days a week.
Next-Day Prescriptions
When medication is appropriate, prescriptions are issued same-day and delivered to your door next business day.
Stress-Free Home Visits
Your pet is assessed in their calm home environment, which often makes symptoms easier to evaluate on video.
Secure & Private
Encrypted video calls and HIPAA-compliant records keep your pet's health information protected.
How TelaVets works
Book your consultation
Pick a same-day or upcoming slot — appointments available 7 days a week.
Connect with a licensed vet
Your vet assesses your pet via secure video, asks detailed questions, and reviews their history.
Get your treatment plan
Receive a diagnosis, personalised care plan, and same-day prescriptions delivered next-day.
What Our Pet Parents Say
Join thousands of happy pet parents who trust TelaVets for their furry family members care
"Fantastic service! My dog gets extremely anxious at the vet, so having a virtual appointment from home was a game-changer. The vet was kind and helpful, and getting his medication delivered the next day made the whole process stress-free and more affordable than going to the clinic."
DL
David Long
Verified Pet Parent
"The vet I spoke with Dr. Ricksaw was very knowledgeable and nice. He took the time to go through all of my options and ideas with me. Reassured me that all we were doing for my dog's anxiety was good and gave me a couple of new ideas as well."
CH
Courtney Hughes
Verified Pet Parent
"I would definitely use them again. I'm cat sitting for 2 weeks and needed to see a vet. I was so worried about the kitten. I used Televets the cat got his prescription and all is good. Excellent service!"
M
Maria
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr Corey was amazing, helpful, compassionate and well versed. I would highly recommend using this. It is so much easier than trying to get a 3 legged cat into a carrier, take him to a doctor's office and stress him out, love it!!!"
JG
Jackie Gardner
Verified Pet Parent
"I had a TelaVets Zoom appointment and couldn't be more impressed. They spent a lot of time with me, walking through every option to help my cat recover from her skin issues. I've also reached out about getting her medication through Chewy.com, and they've been extremely helpful every step of the way."
LD
Lara Durand
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr. Moppin is a dedicated professional who truly cares about his furry patients and their humans, too! It's such a relief that Dr. Cole took the time to listen and address my concerns thoughtfully. Thank you for taking care of our cats 🐈"
WW
Wanida Walker
Verified Pet Parent
"This service was amazing! My dog ran out of his medication before we were able to get in with a new vet and they were able to help get him a short term supply quickly. I would definitely use them again!"
AT
Amanda Tobias
Verified Pet Parent
"Knowledgeable, professional caring provider! Needed urgent Vet care on a weekend and TeleVet kept me from having to miss a day of work, as well as half the price of local weekend options. Thank you!"
JH
Jana Humble
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr. McGinnis was very knowledgeable and listened to my cat's issues. She addressed the problem and may have come up with an answer after 5 years of trying with local vet practices."
MK
Marilyn Kerr
Verified Pet Parent
"Fantastic service! My dog gets extremely anxious at the vet, so having a virtual appointment from home was a game-changer. The vet was kind and helpful, and getting his medication delivered the next day made the whole process stress-free and more affordable than going to the clinic."
DL
David Long
Verified Pet Parent
"The vet I spoke with Dr. Ricksaw was very knowledgeable and nice. He took the time to go through all of my options and ideas with me. Reassured me that all we were doing for my dog's anxiety was good and gave me a couple of new ideas as well."
CH
Courtney Hughes
Verified Pet Parent
"I would definitely use them again. I'm cat sitting for 2 weeks and needed to see a vet. I was so worried about the kitten. I used Televets the cat got his prescription and all is good. Excellent service!"
M
Maria
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr Corey was amazing, helpful, compassionate and well versed. I would highly recommend using this. It is so much easier than trying to get a 3 legged cat into a carrier, take him to a doctor's office and stress him out, love it!!!"
JG
Jackie Gardner
Verified Pet Parent
"I had a TelaVets Zoom appointment and couldn't be more impressed. They spent a lot of time with me, walking through every option to help my cat recover from her skin issues. I've also reached out about getting her medication through Chewy.com, and they've been extremely helpful every step of the way."
LD
Lara Durand
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr. Moppin is a dedicated professional who truly cares about his furry patients and their humans, too! It's such a relief that Dr. Cole took the time to listen and address my concerns thoughtfully. Thank you for taking care of our cats 🐈"
WW
Wanida Walker
Verified Pet Parent
"This service was amazing! My dog ran out of his medication before we were able to get in with a new vet and they were able to help get him a short term supply quickly. I would definitely use them again!"
AT
Amanda Tobias
Verified Pet Parent
"Knowledgeable, professional caring provider! Needed urgent Vet care on a weekend and TeleVet kept me from having to miss a day of work, as well as half the price of local weekend options. Thank you!"
JH
Jana Humble
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr. McGinnis was very knowledgeable and listened to my cat's issues. She addressed the problem and may have come up with an answer after 5 years of trying with local vet practices."
MK
Marilyn Kerr
Verified Pet Parent
Related resources
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Frequently asked questions about drinking excessively in cats
drinking excessively in cats can have many causes. Our licensed vets use your pet's history, symptom pattern, and a visual assessment via video to narrow down the most likely cause and recommend appropriate treatment.
If your cat's drinking excessively has lasted more than 24–48 hours, is severe, or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms (lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting), book a consultation immediately.
Yes. Our vets can assess your cat's symptoms via secure video, ask detailed diagnostic questions, and prescribe appropriate treatment — all without a clinic visit.
If medication is clinically appropriate, our licensed vets can issue prescriptions same-day with next-day delivery to your home.
Mild drinking excessively often isn't an emergency, but if your cat shows severe distress, difficulty breathing, collapse, or other alarming signs, seek emergency in-person care immediately. When in doubt, book a consultation — our vets will help you assess the urgency.
Get expert help for your cat's drinking excessively today
Same-day appointments — $65 flat fee — licensed vets