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Hydration is the backbone of feline health. It supports kidney function, urinary tract health, and digestion. Chronic dehydration is one of the most common feline health issues, as many cats only drink about half of what they actually need (Kosmal et al., 2025).

It is physically difficult for cats to drink. Cats are designed to eat their moisture, not drink it. On top of this, they have a low thirst drive and feel vulnerable while drinking. Even with fresh water out, most cats drink less than they need.

Most cats drink only about half of what is recommended. In a clinical study, cats consumed only 100–150 ml of water per day (Kosmal et al., 2025), or roughly a half glass of water. The National Research Council recommends 200–240 ml of water per day for the average 10 lb cat, or roughly a glass of water per day (National Research Council, 2006).

Dehydration in cats frequently goes unnoticed – clinical signs usually don't appear until a cat is more than 5% dehydrated (AAHA Fluid Therapy Guidelines, 2024), which is why prevention is critical. Subtle clues include low energy, hard stools, less frequent urination, or tacky/sticky gums. When in doubt, ask your vet.

Chronic dehydration is linked to several of the most common feline conditions, such as:

• Lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD): cats fed an exclusively dry diet have a 2.64x greater risk of developing FLUTD than cats fed a mixed diet (Piyarungsri et al., 2020).
• Chronic kidney disease (CKD): cats with CKD tend to be chronically dehydrated, which can worsen kidney function. CKD affects up to 50% of senior cats (over the age of 10) (Marino et al., 2014).
• Constipation: stool quality is directly tied to hydration status. Improved hydration status can help alleviate constipation (Klauser et al., 1990).

Yes. Dry food is only ~10% moisture vs. ~80% for wet food. Instead of drinking more water to make up for the dry food, cats compensate by holding onto water by concentrating their urine more. Cats on wet diets take in about 51% more total water than cats on dry diets (Van Diggelen et al., 2026).

It is physically difficult for a cat to drink water from a bowl. Cats are designed to eat their moisture, not drink it. Water fountains can help some cats, but research hasn't shown they reliably increase water intake (Robbins et al., 2019). cat years works alongside your existing drinking setup – delivering hydration through a treat that your cat loves.

cat years is a healthy snack for your cat – delicious like a treat, with the nutritional benefits of a supplement. To be clear, it's not a medicine and does not require a prescription. If you have any questions or concerns before starting your cat on cat years, consult with your vet.

cat years uses a proprietary feline hydration blend of amino acids, electrolytes, and osmolytes that helps boost water absorption, optimize water balance, and keep cells hydrated in healthy adult cats. The formula was developed by PhD experts in hydration and feline nutrition (Kosmal et al., 2026).

For healthy adult cats: feed one treat per day, up to two per day. Daily use drives the best hydration results (Kosmal et al., 2026).

cat years is the best of both worlds: the delicious lickable treat your cat loves and clinically proven to boost hydration. Our proprietary blend of amino acids, electrolytes, and osmolytes helps boost water absorption, optimize water balance, and keep cells hydrated in healthy adult cats (Kosmal et al., 2026). Formulated by PhD experts in hydration and feline nutrition. Vet recommended for daily use.

cat years was founded by cat parents and developed by leading feline veterinarians and PhD scientists, with expertise in hydration and feline nutrition.

At cat years, we love our cats more than anything and just want better years with our cats. Cats age much faster than people, especially in the first two years of life. A common conversion: year one ≈ 15 human years, year two ≈ 24, and every year after adds about 4 human years. By that math, a 10-year-old cat is roughly 56 in human years.

Chickie & Waffles are the two cats behind the brand. Our founder Sarah's cats inspired cat years – Chickie is the playful goofball, and Waffles is the scientist: curious, observant, and the reason we obsess over the research. We hope you find yourself and your cats in the cat years family.

cat years hydration boosters come in chicken and tuna flavors. Every flavor is built on the same clinically proven formula, so you can choose whichever your cat loves most. All recipes use real, whole meat protein – no artificial flavors, colors, or fillers.

cat years follows AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) guidelines. cat years is a treat, not a complete-and-balanced pet food, so it is not formulated to AAFCO nutrient profiles for a daily diet (AAFCO standards apply to foods intended as a cat's primary nutrition). It's designed to be given alongside your cat's regular complete-and-balanced food, not in place of it.

cat years stays fresh through how it's made, not what's added. Each pouch is heat-sealed using the same gentle sterilization process used for premium shelf-stable human and pet food. This cooking process locks in freshness and protects the active ingredients – amino acids, electrolytes, and osmolytes – so every pouch delivers the same clinically proven hydration boost until the printed best-by date.

cat years is made with fresh chicken breast, wild-caught tuna, and a proprietary hydration blend of amino acids, electrolytes, and osmolytes. It is non-GMO and free from artificial flavors, artificial colors, preservatives, by-products, and added phosphorus. cat years is formulated only with ingredients commonly recognized as safe for cats.

Just like us, electrolytes (like sodium) help your cat optimize water balance throughout the body.

Yes – at appropriate levels, salt (sodium) is safe and essential for cats. In fact, there is strong evidence that a cat’s blood pressure and kidney function are not affected by sodium in the same way as humans. In two- to five-year studies, no adverse health effects were found in healthy senior cats fed high salt diets containing 750mg of sodium per day (Chetboul et al., 2013; Reynolds et al., 2014; Reynolds et al., 2023).

cat years is formulated with sodium levels well within safe daily intake ranges for healthy adult cats. In our clinical research, cat years hydration treats containing 0.99% (or 182mg) of sodium increased total water intake and improved hydration markers, with no negative impacts (Kosmal et al., 2026).

Some treats and foods add phosphorus to enhance taste (often hidden in “natural flavors”). cat years intentionally uses ingredients without added phosphorus. Based on third-party lab testing, cat years contains just 0.1% phosphorus – nearly half the level found in other market leading lickable treats.

Phosphorus is essential, but too much can be hard on a cat's kidneys – especially for cats with or at risk of kidney disease (Dobenecker et al., 2018).

cat years is made with fresh chicken breast and wild-caught tuna, so it contains chicken and fish – two ingredients some cats are sensitive to. It is non-GMO and free from grain, dairy, soy, artificial flavors, artificial colors, preservatives, and by-products. If your cat has a known protein allergy, talk to your vet before introducing cat years.

cat years uses only the highest-quality ingredients, including fresh chicken breast and wild-caught tuna. It's non-GMO and free from artificial flavors, artificial colors, preservatives, by-products, and added phosphorus.

cat years is a low-calorie treat at just 11 kcal per serving. Treats should make up no more than 10% of a cat's daily diet (AAHA-AAFP Feeding Guidelines, 2020), and two cat years a day fit within that limit for most healthy adult cats.

All cat years products are produced with a leading supplier in Thailand that specializes in premium wet cat food and treats. The facility meets the highest standards for quality, cleanliness, and safety – including non-GMO, GHP (Good Hygiene Practices), U.S. FDA, BSI (British Standards Institution) Food Safety, and Dolphin Safe certifications. Our product is third-party lab tested. Ingredients are locally and globally sourced.

Each batch of our wild-caught tuna arrives at our processing facility with a certificate of origin specifying where and how it was harvested. We only work with fisheries that use dolphin-friendly fishing techniques, in line with best practices for environmental responsibility and sustainability.

Our boxes are made with 70% recycled materials. Recycled options don't yet exist for our pouches, but we're closely monitoring as the technology develops.

Yes. In a University Department of Animal Bioscience led study, one cat years Hydration Booster per day drove a statistically significant increase in hydration. This is based on two key biomarkers – increase in total water intake and decrease in urine specific gravity (i.e., urine concentration) (Kosmal et al., 2026).

cat years was developed in collaboration with leading experts in feline health, hydration science, and animal nutrition:

• Dr. Anna Kate Shoveller, Ph.D.: Professor Animal Biosciences, with focus in Companion Animal Nutrition, Amino Acids, Metabolism
• Dr. Lawrence E. Armstrong, Ph.D., FACSM: Professor Emeritus, Physiology and Nutrition, Hydration expert with focus in water-electrolyte imbalances and hydration biomarkers
• Dr. Ashlie Saffire, DVM, Feline Specialist: Board-certified in feline practice, former President of Feline Veterinary Medical Association
• Dr. Pauline Kosmal, Ph.D.: Postdoctoral Fellow, Animal Biosciences, with focus on feline hydration, drinking behavior, and dietary polyphenol supplementation

Hydration in cats is measured through several biomarkers, including:

• Total water intake (TWI): all water consumed from drinking, food, and treats
• Free water intake (FWI): water consumed directly from a bowl or fountain
• Urine specific gravity (USG): how concentrated a cat's urine is. A healthy USG range is 1.020–1.035 (Reine & Langston, 2005) – higher numbers mean more concentrated urine and usually less hydration
• Serum biochemistry and CBC (Complete Blood Count): blood markers that reflect hydration status

In our clinical study, cats given cat years showed both higher TWI and lower USG – two of the most important indicators of improved hydration (Kosmal et al., 2025; Kosmal et al., 2026).

cat years is recommended by world-renowned veterinarians who specialize in feline health. Watch a video from our Lead Feline Veterinarian, Dr. Ashlie Saffire, former president of the Feline VMA (Veterinary Medical Association).

Yes – cat years' clinical study was conducted at a world-renowned University Department of Animal Bioscience, with all testing non-invasive and under a formally approved Animal Use Protocol (AUP), the gold-standard ethical review process for academic animal research. The cats lived in a free-roaming environment with enrichment, toys, social interaction, and care from trained staff. (Kosmal et al., 2026).

cat years can be given any time during the day. It works as a treat between meals or as a meal topper – which is especially helpful for picky eaters.

cat years is easy to feed. Hand-feed straight from the pouch, squeeze into a bowl, or onto a plate.

cat years is shelf-stable, so unopened pouches don't need refrigeration. We recommend feeding the complete pouch at once.

If you need to save leftover product, here's how:

• Opened but not fed at all: refrigerate the pouch and use within 24 hours.
• Served in a bowl or on a plate (cat didn't finish): refrigerate the remaining product in the pouch for up to 24 hours.
• Cat licked directly from the pouch: we don't recommend saving it — throw away any remaining product

cat years hydration boosters can work quickly. Cats adjust their drinking habits in response to a change of dietary moisture within 24-48 hours (Van Diggelen et al., 2026). In our clinical study, cats given cat years showed an increase in total water intake and lower urine specific gravity (key hydration markers) after a five-day treatment period (Kosmal et al., 2026).

cat years is formulated for healthy adult cats. For kittens (under 12 months), pregnant or nursing cats, or cats with special dietary needs, we recommend talking to your vet before introducing cat years. The ingredients are gentle and generally suitable for cats with sensitive stomachs. If your cat has a pre-existing health condition or any allergies, we recommend talking to your vet before introducing cat years.

cat years is safe when fed as directed – up to twice daily for healthy adult cats. Like any treat, occasional extra servings generally won't cause harm, but treats overall should make up no more than 10% of your cat's daily diet (AAHA-AAFP Feeding Guidelines, 2020). If your cat consumes a much larger amount than intended, contact your vet.

cat years is formulated specifically for cats. If a small amount is accidentally eaten by another healthy pet, it's unlikely to cause harm, but contact your vet with any concern.

Hydration plays an important role in supporting cats with chronic conditions like CKD and FLUTD. cat years has no added phosphorus and is formulated with ingredients commonly recognized as safe for cats, making it a thoughtful option to discuss with your vet for cats with or at risk of kidney issues. Every cat is different – we always recommend talking to your vet before introducing cat years to a cat with any chronic illness or on a prescription diet.

cat years is clinically proven to boost hydration (Kosmal et al., 2026). Hydration supports urinary tract health and kidney function – two of the most common feline health concerns.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your cat’s hydration, please contact your vet.

Always consult your vet before starting cat years Boosters if your cat is currently taking other supplements or prescription medicines.

Safety is at the forefront of cat years at every step:

• cat years contains no added phosphorus and is formulated with ingredients commonly recognized as safe for cats
• PhD-developed formula, created by experts in hydration and feline nutrition
• University-led clinical testing for both efficacy and safety (Kosmal et al., 2026)
• Third-party lab testing on every formulation
• Certified manufacturing facility holding non-GMO, GHP, U.S. FDA, BSI Food Safety, and Dolphin Safe certifications
• Ingredients chosen with feline health in mind – including no added phosphorus, no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, and no by-products

cat years is made with simple, high quality ingredients and is generally well-tolerated, but every cat is different. If your cat shows any signs of an adverse reaction (including vomiting, diarrhea, itching, swelling, or unusual behavior), stop giving cat years immediately and contact your veterinarian for personalized guidance.

Yes! As cat parents ourselves, we know cats can be picky. Try a free sample (no credit card required) – there's science to flavor, and we crafted our hydration boosters to be irresistibly delicious. One free sample per household.

We back cat years with a 30-day great taste guarantee: your cat loves it, or your money back. Contact us at care@catyears.com and we'll make it right.

We crafted a recipe that targets what cats care about most, with the highest quality ingredients:

• Taste: cats prefer umami and kokumi flavors (McGrane et al., 2023). Our wild-caught tuna, chicken liver, and natural dried yeast deliver both. The same amino acids that boost hydration amplify those flavor signals.
• Smell: cats have a sense of smell up to 14x stronger than ours (Bradshaw, 2013). During cooking, our amino acids undergo the Maillard reaction – the same chemistry that gives a seared steak its crust – boosting aroma.
• Texture: cats rely heavily on aroma and texture, not just taste. Our smooth, creamy texture carries flavor across the tongue with every lick.

cat years is a low-calorie treat (11 kcal per serving) – it's designed to supplement, not replace, your cat's regular meals. When used as a meal topper, it can encourage picky eaters to eat more of their regular food. If you notice your cat consistently eating less, talk to your vet.

Yes – we recommend one treat per cat per day, up to twice per cat per day. This ensures every cat gets the full hydration benefit.

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Email us at care@catyears.com or call (888) 891-8302 – we aim to respond within 24 hours. Your experience is too important to us. We don’t use AI – we have real people on our team dedicated to making sure you and your cat have the best care.

We offer one free sample per household. It's plenty for your cats to share a taste and see if cat years is a hit. If everyone's a fan, our multi-cat bundles make it easy to keep every cat in your home hydrated. Questions? Reach our care team at care@catyears.com.

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