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Why is my senior cat so thirsty despite hyperthyroidism treatment?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Male | neutered | 17 years and 6 months old | 9.5 lbs

Hello my cat is 17 years old and sees the vet very often because he has high blood pressure and hyperthyroidism. He is on amlodipine besylate and methimazole. His kidney levels are fine according to my vet but I see him laying at the water bowl a lot especially right after a meal. She says she sees nothing in his bloodwork to explain this water bowl behavior and I'm just wondering if even tho he's being treated for hyperthyroidism could he still feel very thirsty ?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on July 25th, 2017

Hi there! Sounds like you are an excellent owner! Tony is lucky!

Yes, he can still be thirsty. The medications may be causing this and not necessarily the hyperthyroidism. If all the lab values are normal then I would not be too worried about it.

I hope this helps. Best wishes to you and Tony!

4Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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My cat's thyroid is 1.8 on methimazole. Is it normal for his thirst?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! A T4 of 1.8 is normal and doesn’t indicate hyperthyroidism and it means the dose Tony is on a good dose. I wound investigate other causes of increased thirst: diabetes, liver disease, high calcium cancer, etc if his thyroid is regulated and his kidney values are normal. I hope this helps and I wish Tony the best!

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