adding water to food vs just broth

Okay so I am losing my mind trying to get Milo to drink more water. He is a 2-year-old British Shorthair and he just... stares at the bowl. I have tried the fountain, I have tried ice cubes, nothing works. I read somewhere that adding unflavored broth to dry food is safe? I just want him to have some moisture without making a mess everywhere. Is this actually okay or am I going to mess up his stomach? Also, sorry for the long post, I am typing this with one hand while Chloe (my 3-year-old DSH) is hiding under the couch because of the baby noise.

Milo is young, so his system is sensitive. I wouldn't just dump random broth on the kibble. Check the label. If it has onion, garlic, or high sodium, it's a no. I keep Kettle indoors and she only gets water, but I manage my outdoor cat River with strict hydration rules because he eats wild things. If you want to add moisture, look at Hydration hacks for the shy ones. It has some good ideas on how to get them to drink without changing the food texture too much.

I use broth for Copper, but he is a diabetic and I have to be careful. The main issue isn't the broth, it's the salt. Most commercial broths are packed with it. See The salt question for the limits. If you are making your own, just use chicken or turkey water from poaching, no salt. But be aware that changing the texture might make him picky. I had to transition Orchid slowly and she is deaf, so she relies on smell, which broth changes. It's a delicate balance.

That is helpful! I was worried about the salt. I was actually thinking of using a store-bought 'low sodium' chicken broth. Is that okay? I just want to get the kibble to soften a bit. I tried mixing in wet food but he refused it completely, see my post Dry to wet transition struggles where I asked about that. It seems like he hates the texture change. Does the broth mask the texture or just make it soggy?

Texture is a big deal. Cats often reject food that is 'mushy' but not wet enough. Broth can make it feel like wet sand, which is off-putting. I would start with a very small amount, just enough to dampen the kibble, not soak it. Also, check Hidden dangers in store-bought broth before you buy anything. Some brands add preservatives that are hard on the liver. If you are worried about the ingredients, stick to plain water with a little freeze-dried topper instead.

Freeze-dried toppers... I didn't think of that. Do they need to be rehydrated? I am not sure I have the time to soak them for an hour. I just want to pour something over the food and walk away. But if the broth is risky, maybe I will just stick to the water fountain and try to make it more appealing with a different sound? Chloe is very shy, so the noise of the water might actually help her drink more if she is less stressed by the baby.