New adopted cat won't drink

So I've had my 15 month old for 24 hours now, and he is doing well he has stayed in my room and he seems to be really liking me but I still have to sort out introducing him to my old cat. Franky only went toilet this morning, nearly 12 hours ago, and that is around the same time he had a drink. I left water out but he hasn't touched it. I gave him some pet milk and he had a few licks but nothing else. His old owner said he drinks water so I am not sure? And he has had some wet food so hopefully that helps. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Hello Starky3, since you are feeding him wet food, which is good for cats that don't have much water intake, he should have his moistures from the wet food, but then again the question is, how much is wet food is he eating? If his water/moisture comes only from the wet food, the amount that he eats play a part in the amount of water/moisture he gets from the wet food.

May I suggest that you add a tablespoonful or two of water to his wet food every time you feed him? Some cats don't mind soupy or maybe more to like gravy meals and some just prefers damp meals. So by adding water to his meals each time will solve your worries of him not drinking enough water.

As for water bowls, some cats don't like to drink from still water and some prefer moving water and that's why they have drinking fountains. So you try adding water to his wet food and see him lick up the juices and for sure you'll know that he is hydrated. And for a young cat, they have strong bladders which they can withhold going to the litter box for a longer time provided the cat is not diagnosed with certain illness.

One way to check if he's hydrated is to lift up his skin just above the shoulder blades near the neck and release and see if the skin returns back to the original in an instant or not. If it does means he is hydrated and if it returns slowly, it means he is dehydrated.

Thanks thats really helpful! I will add some water to his food!! He had a wee drink just before so thats good

You are welcomed