CATS · Real veterinary cases
Old cat not drinking water hiding under bed
A pet owner asked our search engine this exact question. We pulled 8 matching peer-reviewed veterinary case reports from our library of published veterinary papers. Here's what they say — in plain English, with citations.
Plain-English synthesis
## What these cases have in common The cases primarily involve older cats showing signs of not drinking water, hiding, lethargy, and decreased appetite. Many of these cases relate to chronic kidney disease, which is common in geriatric cats, and other conditions that affect hydration and overall health. ## Treatments that worked - **Fluid therapy**: Used in multiple cases (3 of 8), this treatment helps to stabilize hydration levels and is crucial for managing conditions like kidney disease and hypernatremia. - **Water-enriched diet**: Seen in 2 of 8 cases, this approach involves feeding cats canned food with added water to improve hydration and manage conditions like primary hypodipsia. - **Dietary management**: In 3 of 8 cases, adjusting the cat's diet helped manage chronic kidney disease and other related conditions. ## Outcomes The treatments mentioned were successful in improving the conditions of several cats, with fluid therapy and dietary changes showing positive results in managing hydration and associated symptoms. ## Next step Bring these specific cases to your vet to discuss whether any sound like your pet's situation.
Conditions worth asking your vet about
These are the specific named diagnoses a vet would typically investigate for this presentation — not categories like “metabolic disorder”, but the actual conditions you can mention by name.
Chronic kidney disease
Chronic kidney disease is common in older cats and can cause dehydration, lethargy, and hiding behavior due to toxin buildup. Blood tests and urinalysis can help diagnose this condition.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism in cats leads to increased metabolism, which can cause dehydration and changes in behavior. It's common in older cats and is diagnosed with blood tests measuring thyroid hormone levels.
Diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus can cause increased thirst and urination, but if a cat stops drinking, it may indicate a progression to more severe symptoms. Blood glucose testing is essential for diagnosis.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
This heart condition can lead to poor circulation and lethargy, causing a cat to hide. It's common in older cats and diagnosed through echocardiography.
Lymphoma
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that can cause lethargy and hiding in cats. It's more common in older cats and can be diagnosed through imaging and biopsy.
Dental disease
Severe dental disease can cause pain, leading to decreased water intake and hiding behavior. A thorough oral examination is necessary for diagnosis.
Easily confused with: Feline infectious peritonitis · Pancreatitis · Hepatic lipidosis · Urinary tract infection
Real peer-reviewed cases
Each link below opens the full PetCaseFinder write-up of a published case report. Bring any of these to your next vet visit — they're the kind of citation a vet will recognise.
#1 match
Renal toxic disease in a catBrazilian Journal of Veterinary Pathology · 2021 · United States
An 8-month-old male mixed breed domestic shorthaired cat was very tired and had stopped eating recently. It was hospitalized for two days but did not produce any urine during that time. On the second day, another cat from the same home showed similar symptoms. Neither cat had been given any medications or had access to outside areas. Unfortunately, both cats died shortly after being hospitalized.
Read the full case →#2 match
Feline chronic renal failure: long-term medical management.Compendium (Yardley, PA) · 2007 · United States
Chronic renal failure (CRF) is a common condition in older cats that affects their kidneys. If your cat has CRF, you might notice signs like drinking and peeing a lot, eating less than usual, losing weight, and vomiting. While there is no cure for CRF, you can help slow its progression by providing a special diet and keeping an eye on certain health markers, such as blood pressure and levels of specific minerals in the blood. With proper management, you can help your cat feel better and maintain a good quality of life for as long as possible.
Read the full case →#3 match
Primary hypodipsia in a cat with severe hypernatremia.Journal of feline medicine and surgery · 2014 · United States
A 4.5-year-old male domestic shorthair cat was brought to the vet after having muscle tremors, weakness, trouble walking, mild facial twitching, and eating less than usual for two months. The cat was diagnosed with primary hypodipsia, which means he didn't feel thirsty, leading to high sodium levels in his blood. To help him, the vet provided intensive fluid therapy and monitored his condition closely. After stabilization, the cat was managed successfully with a diet of canned food that included extra water. Overall, the treatment worked well for him.
Read the full case →#4 match
Acute on chronic kidney disease in cats: Etiology, clinical and clinicopathologic findings, prognostic markers, and outcome.Journal of veterinary internal medicine · 2020 · United States
This study looked at 100 cats with a condition called acute on chronic kidney disease, which means their long-standing kidney problems suddenly got worse. Many of these cats showed signs like not eating (85%), being very tired (60%), losing weight (39%), and vomiting (27%). The reasons for their worsening condition varied, with some having blockages or infections, but in many cases, the cause was unknown. Cats that survived their hospital stay tended to stay longer in the hospital, and those with higher levels of certain blood markers had a worse chance of recovery. Overall, while many cats could be discharged, their long-term outlook remained uncertain, with survivors living an average of about 66 days after leaving the hospital.
Read the full case →#5 match
Atypical hypoadrenocorticism in a Birman cat.The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne · 2011 · United States
A 1-year-old female spayed Birman cat was brought to the vet because she was having trouble with urinating and defecating inappropriately, was very tired, had stopped eating, and was losing weight. After trying some general treatments that didn't work consistently, the vet diagnosed her with atypical hypoadrenocorticism, a condition related to hormone production, based on the results of a specific test. The treatment plan will likely focus on managing this condition moving forward.
Read the full case →
Your pet's case is probably already published.
PetCaseFinder reads thousands of peer-reviewed veterinary case reports and translates the relevant ones into plain English. Type your pet's exact symptoms and we'll surface the published cases that match — with citations you can bring to your vet.
Run a personalised search →Frequently asked questions
What does old cat not drinking water hiding under bed usually mean in cats?
Published veterinary case reports most often link this presentation to: Chronic kidney disease, Hyperthyroidism, Diabetes mellitus. Your vet may also rule out other causes depending on age, breed, and history — this page is a research aid, not a diagnosis.
How many real cases did PetCaseFinder find?
We surfaced 8 peer-reviewed case reports from our library of published veterinary case reports. The top matches are listed above with full citations.
Is this veterinary advice?
No. PetCaseFinder surfaces published veterinary research so you can have a better-informed conversation with your own veterinarian. Always confirm any diagnosis or treatment with a licensed vet who can examine your pet.