Cat-Care 
Intro Keeping a simple daily log of urination and water can give you early clues about kidney health. Small, consistent notes—time, volume or bowl level, and behavior—make patterns obvious faster than guessing. This guide helps new owners set up a 14‑day routine and practical recording tips.
One sentence answer Start a short daily record of urination count and water intake: consistent tracking helps spot changes early and gives your veterinarian useful context.
Core principles
- Make tracking simple: short entries increase consistency and reduce error.
- Use the environment: place water and litter in stable, low‑stress spots.
- Prioritize safety: fresh water, clean litter, and escape-proof windows.
- Build trust with the vet: records support conversations, not self‑diagnosis.
New owner 14 day checklist Day 0 setup (first hour)
- Place at least two water bowls in different rooms, away from the litter area.
- Set a comfortable, low‑traffic litter spot. Use the litter your cat already prefers.
- Prepare a small notebook or spreadsheet template labeled Date, Time, Water, Urination, Notes.
Days 1–3 observation (easy start)
- Record water bowl top‑ups or how many times you refill (morning and evening).
- Note each urination event: time and whether the cat seemed strained or quick.
- Weigh your cat once to get a baseline if you can.
Days 4–7 establish routine
- Add simple volume cues: mark bowl as full/half/empty rather than precise milliliters.
- If using a litter box with clumping litter, count clumps or note wet area size.
- Note behavior: extra thirst, frequent trips, or more vocalizing.
Days 8–14 refine and summarize
- Tally daily totals for water and urination so you can compare day‑to‑day.
- Highlight any consistent increases or decreases in either metric.
- Prepare a short summary for your first vet check: average water checks per day, average urination count, any odd notes.
Tips for accuracy
- Track at consistent times (morning, evening) and use simple symbols for speed.
- Keep the method printable and visible near feeding areas.
- If multiple cats share resources, try separate bowls or short video clips to attribute events.
Common mistakes and fixes
- Assuming one-off changes are meaningful → Correct: look for multi-day trends before worrying.
- Overcomplicating measurement → Correct: use simple full/half/empty logs for water.
- Recording only when worried → Correct: record every day to build a reliable baseline.
- Mixing multiple cat data → Correct: label entries per cat or monitor one cat at a time.
When to consult a vet Contact your veterinarian promptly if you notice these triggers: sudden changes in urination frequency, frequent thirst, blood in the litter, vomiting or appetite loss, very lethargic behavior. Bring your 14‑day log to the appointment for context and to help triage needs.
Disclaimer This guide is informational and not a medical diagnosis; consult your veterinarian for health concerns.