You might expect a cat to be obsessed with food—but water? Whether it’s drinking excessively, tipping the bowl over, splashing their paw around in it, or trying to get in the shower with you, some cats take a particular shine to the essence of life. A cat’s obsession with water can occur for various reasons, ranging from simple mischief to an underlying health condition.
If you’re concerned about your cat’s preoccupation with water, read on to learn more about the possible reasons for their fascination. We also share tips on preventing undesirable water bowl behaviors.
The 8 Reasons Why Cats Play With Their Water
1. Your Cat Has an Underlying Health Condition
If your cat is suddenly drinking more water than usual or paying excessive attention to water, it’s important not to ignore this behavior and talk to your veterinarian. Excessive thirst, medically called polydipsia, may be the first indicator or a problem with your cat’s health. You may spot your cat’s water bowl emptying faster than usual, your cat drinking from the faucet, and/or urinating more frequently.
The most common health issues that may cause a cat to drink more include:
- Chronic kidney disease
- Urinary tract infections
- Diabetes mellitus
- Hyperthyroidism
2. Your Cat Doesn’t Like Their Bowl
Not every bowl is suitable for cats to drink from. Cats’ whiskers are very sensitive and when they rub up against the sides of a small or oddly shaped bowl, it’s very uncomfortable for them. So it’s recommended to get something wide and shallow enough for them to comfortably drink from.
If you spot your cat splashing their paws into the water regularly and licking it off their paws, the bowl size might be the cause.
3. Cats Love Running Water
Cats are biologically wired to seek out fresh, flowing water sources as they would in nature. As Nicky Trevorrow, Cat’s Protection Behavior Manager, explains on the subject of cats drinking from dripping faucets: “This makes sense from an African wildcat perspective, where they would naturally drink from fresh running streams rather than a stagnant pool.”
So, if you catch your cat trying to hop in the shower or licking at a leaky faucet, this is the most likely explanation.
4. The Water Bowl Needs Freshening Up
Cats are fastidious creatures, and a water bowl with even a bit of fur or dust inside simply won’t do. If your cat is tipping over their water bowl or sitting beside it but not drinking, they may be signaling to you that the water isn’t fresh enough for their liking.
If your cat drinks from a water bowl instead of a water fountain, the water needs to be changed at least daily, as it’s easier for it to get gunked up with fur, dust, food, and other little bits and bobs that reduce its freshness.
5. Your Cat Wants Your Attention
If your cat frequently tips over their water bowl or splashes the contents everywhere with their paws, they might be trying to get your attention. A cat that wants your attention may resort to destructive or annoying behaviors like knocking things off furniture or pawing at things to rattle them and make a noise.
If your cat learns that the clattering of the water bowl gets your attention, they might try this trick every time they feel bored. You can combat this by scheduling daily play sessions with your cat to release their pent-up energy.
6. The Water Bowl Is a “Toy”
It’s not unusual to find cats dipping their paws in their water bowl. One of the reasons they might do this is that they’re being playful. If your cat is a kitten, they may be exploring this weird new clear stuff and gauging how much fun they can get out of it. Try distracting your cat with more appealing toys that they can chase or puzzle out.
7. Your Cat Fancies a Swim
Believe it or not, there are cat breeds out there known for enjoying playing with water, and even swimming. These include the Turkish Van, Maine Coon, Egyptian Mau, and Bengal. Before you send your Maine Coon or Bengal on a lap around your pool, bear in mind that not every cat of these breeds will love water—just that they may be more likely to swim than certain other breeds.
8. It’s Too Hot
In the summer months, you might find your cat drinking more than usual to cool themselves down and stay hydrated. They may also seek out other sources of water like tap or shower water. Provide plenty of fresh water as usual and make sure your cat has cool spots to hang out in to avoid overheating.
The 5 Tips for a Good Drinking Experience for Your Cat
Having a positive relationship with water is crucial to your cat’s health and well-being. Here are some tips for making sure your cat is getting the best possible drinking experience.
1. Consider a Water Fountain
Since it’s instinctive for cats to choose flowing water over still water, you might want to consider investing in a cat water fountain to replace their water bowl. This is an especially good idea if your cat is constantly pawing at the water or you’re having to replace the water in the bowl frequently.
2. Choose the Right Bowl
Wide, shallow bowls with a flat base made of stainless steel tend to be the best option for cats, as they’re easy to clean and the sides are wide enough to accommodate a cat’s sensitive whiskers.
3. Mentally Stimulate Your Cat
Sometimes, cats use their water bowl as a toy because they’re bored or want to get your attention. Distract them with some fun, mentally stimulating toys.
4. Change Out the Water Regularly
If you’re using a bowl, you’ll need to do regular spot checks to check the freshness of the water. If you see dust, hairs, or other foreign particles, it’s time to change the water.
5. Give Your Cat Ice Cubes to Play With
In the summer months, you might want to provide ice cubes for your cat to play with. These offer a great way to keep their paws cool when it’s hot out, while offering ample entertainment as they bat them around and slide them across the floor.
Final Thoughts
We hope that this post has helped you get to the bottom of your cat’s preoccupation with water. Luckily, playing with water or seeking out running water is not that unusual and is often instinctive. That said, if your cat is drinking excessively, this isn’t normal. We recommend getting your cat checked out by a vet to find out what’s causing them to drink so much.
- See Also: My Cat Is Obsessed With Their Automatic Feeder, Should I Worry? Vet-Reviewed Causes & Facts
Featured Image Credit: Vershinin89, Shutterstock
