Why Won’t My Cat Drink Water From Their Bowl? 6 Vet-Reviewed Reasons
Cats are notorious for not drinking enough water. You also may notice that your cat prefers to drink from other locations than the bowl of fresh water that you provide every day. The bowl may be fresh, but that stale toilet water seems more attractive to them.
Why do cats do this? There are a few reasons, and here, we look at the most common ones. The good news is that there's something that you can do about this behavior to get your cat to drink more water every day.
The 6 Reasons Why Cats Won't Drink Water from Their Bowl
1. Instincts
Most cats are not effective drinkers. Cats have a natural tendency to prefer drinking water from running sources. In the wild, a cat would avoid drinking from stale water sources that might harbor excessive bacteria, algae, or parasites. Cats naturally prefer drinking from sources of running water such as rivers or streams.
What to Do
2. They Can’t See the Water
Cats have a blind spot right under their chin. That may prevent them from being able to see the water in the bowl. You may have noticed your cat lowering their face toward the water and then being surprised when they make contact with it. Since they can't smell the water, it's difficult for them to find it. Some cats use a paw instead and test the water level to make sure they know where it is. You may even find that your cat prefers to lick the water off their paw instead of lapping it from the bowl.
What to Do
3. They Don’t Feel Comfortable
If you have a multi-pet household, your cat may not feel safe or secure while drinking water. In the vulnerable position of drinking, cats may be attacked by other animals in the house or be knocked out of the way by an animal that wants to drink instead. If you only have one cat, is the water bowl in a noisy location of the house? Does a toddler often try to grab the cat while they’re drinking? If so, your cat isn’t going to want to use the bowl for long.
What to Do
4. They Don’t Like the Bowl
If the cat’s water bowl is too narrow or deep, they may find it uncomfortable to drink from. Cats prefer bowls that don’t touch their whiskers. Since their whiskers are sensitive, the constant rubbing on the side of the bowl can be uncomfortable. It can cause something called whisker fatigue, which is stressful for your cat. This can also occur with your cat’s food bowls.
What to Do
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5. They Don’t Like the Water
Does your water have a funny taste or smell to it? Is the bowl dirty and in need of a good cleaning? Sometimes the material of the water bowl can give the water a bad taste. Other cats just prefer to drink out of a bowl made from a certain material, like stainless steel or ceramic.
What to Do
6. They Don’t Like the Water Temperature
Some cats jump into the shower after you’re done and lick the warm water from the walls. Other cats might like to lick ice cubes or condensation on windows for a cool taste. If your cat is unhappy because they want the water warmer or cooler, they will avoid drinking and seek out other places to get their hydration.
What to Do
Conclusion
Cats do strange things, and it seems like we are always trying to figure out the reasons for their behavior. If your cat is not drinking from their water bowl, trying a few of the tips in this article should help remedy this situation. Always give your cat clean, fresh water daily, and remember to contact your vet if your cat stops drinking water completely, as this can be a medical emergency.
See Also:
Featured Image Credit: Impact Photography, Shutterstock
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Jessica is a lifelong resident of Chicago who has shared her home with furry, feathered, and scaly pets for over 30 years. Animal enthusiast since childhood Jessica owned and operated a pet care company. Nowadays, Jessica is a full-time writer who loves to explore all animal topics while contemplating the birds and squirrels enjoying the oasis of her backyard.
