Problem Solving & Advice by Pam Johnson-Bennett Cat Behavior Expert & Best-selling Author
Water is important to the health of your cat and how you present and serve it can have a big influence on whether kitty drinks it or rejects it. Here are six tips for making sure the water you serve is appealing:
1. Freshness of Your Cat’s Water
Refill the bowl with fresh water on a daily basis. Cats are very sensitive to taste and if the water stands too long it will start to taste stale. Food and dirt particles can accumulate in the water which can affect taste and also create opportunities for bacteria to build up. If your cat dips a paw in the water he is also contributing to the build-up of bacteria because that paw contains dirt, dust, and debris from having been in the litter box.
Use spring or filtered water when you fill the bowl. Don’t use tap water.
2. A Clean Bowl
Don’t just refill the water each day without washing the bowl itself. Hair, dirt, saliva, and food can stick to the sides. Wash the bowl with mild dish soap and then thoroughly rinse all traces of soap from the bowl before refilling it with fresh water. Traces of dish soap can burn the cat’s tongue and will also give the water an unpleasant taste. If you don’t wash the bowl daily, you risk the buildup of biofilm. The biofilm may contain bacteria that can include E. coli, listeria, salmonella, staphylococcus aureus, and more. Biofilm can lead to health problems such as urinary tract infections and kidney issues. It has also been linked to periodontal disease in cats and dogs.
3. Bowl Size and Shape to Match Your Cat
The bowl you’ve chosen as your cat’s water bowl may actually be working against you. Choose a bowl that is truly cat-friendly. Your cat has long whiskers on each side of his muzzle and those whiskers are very sensitive. A cat doesn’t want to have to squish them in order to reach the water in the bowl. If you’ve noticed your cat tends to dunk a paw in the water and then lick it, the reason may be that he doesn’t want to have squished whiskers. Choose a bowl that is not narrow and deep. Cats tend to prefer more shallow water (and food) bowls. Just make sure the shallow water bowl stays filled.
A bowl that’s too deep can cause a cat to have to lower his head too much and it takes away any visual advantage he may need to see if anyone is approaching. This is something that can be crucial in a multicat household, especially if there’s any tension between cats. Choose a bowl that allows your cat to still see while drinking water. This applies to the food bowl as well.
4. Location of Your Cat’s Water Bowl
Many cat parents use divided bowls so they can put food on one side and water on the other. Although this may seem as if you’re doing something very convenient for the cat, it’s actually not beneficial. Many cats prefer not to drink water where there is the scent of food. In-between meals, your cat may prefer to be able to drink in a neutral area, away from traces of food. Additionally, with the divided dishes, food particles may fall into the water making it less appealing and allowing for the growth of bacteria.
Even if you don’t use a divided bowl don’t place the water too close to the food bowl. The water can be located around the feeding station area but just not right next to the food bowl. In our house we have several water bowls around the house to make it very convenient for the cat.
Some cats prefer to face the room when drinking water (and eating). If that’s the case, don’t wedge the bowl up against the wall or else your cat will have to drink with his back to the room. Slide the bowl out a bit so the cat has the option of taking a preferred position to drink.
5. Water Level
Stay consistent with maintaining the water level. Don’t let it go down to the last few drops and also, don’t fill it one day to the brim and then only mid-way the next day. Stay consistent. Some cats begin paw dipping because they aren’t sure where the top of the water is on any given day. Cats like consistency in their daily routine.
6. Make Your Cat’s Water Station Fun
If your cat likes to drink from the faucet or play with the water in the bowl, consider getting a pet water fountain. It’s a great way to encourage your cat to drink more water, it creates some extra playtime, and the constant movement of the water keeps it oxygenated.
Even if you don’t get a fountain you can create a little water fun by periodically dropping an ice cube in the water bowl, especially on very hot summer days.
Need More Information?
If you have a concern about whether your cat is drinking enough water, consult your veterinarian.
For more information on cat behavior and training, refer to the best-selling books by Pam Johnson-Bennett. Pam’s books are available at bookstores and online. We’ve included links to Amazon here on our website.
If you have a question about your cat’s behavior or health, contact your veterinarian. This article is not intended as a medical diagnosis nor is it a replacement for your cat’s regular veterinary care. This article is for general information purposes only.
