Cats have their own distinct drinking preferences. Some don’t like to drink from water bowls near their food, while others enjoy drinking out of a fountain or even the kitchen sink.
These preferences may have come from cats’ wild ancestors and can help keep them healthy. For domestic cats, keeping their water dish about 3-5 feet away from food is ideal.
Contents
Location
Cats in the wild often return their prey to shelters, which may be close by but not directly near to their water source. Evolution has taught them that their prey may contaminate this water source and so they’ll often drag it away to another location.
Some people believe that keeping a cat’s food bowl and water bowl separate is best. They worry that if water spills into the dish, pieces of food could easily fall into the latter and create an unsanitary mess.
Though this is a commonly held belief in cat circles, it’s not always accurate. Many wild cats would avoid drinking from still water due to the possibility of bacteria present that could lead to sickness and disease.
Taste
If your cat doesn’t seem to enjoy drinking water next to their food, there may be a reason. In the wild, cats tend to keep their dishes far apart to prevent contamination from bacteria or other sources.
When your cat drinks more when its water and food bowls are separated, it’s important to be patient as they may take some time to get used to the new arrangement.
Your cat’s taste buds are hardwired to prefer running, oxygenated water over still room-temperature water. That is why some cats enjoy the dripping or swirling motion of a recirculating cat water fountain instead of hunching over a bowl.
Selecting a high quality water source is critical to guarantee your cat gets all of the minerals and chlorine they require for healthy growth and development. Filtered water works best as it’s free from heavy metals, toxic chemicals and other hazardous elements. For cats who require special medical attention or needs, adding water-soluble vitamins or additives may be beneficial.
Smell
Cats possess a remarkable sense of smell that is unique among animals. In addition to regular olfactory receptors, they possess an extra nasal organ located at the roof of their mouth that picks up on pheromone signatures that other animals cannot detect with their regular senses.
These pheromones play an integral role in mating, territory marking, social interactions and cat communication.
Cat’s anal glands produce an oily, foul-smelling liquid which is normally discharged during defecation but can also be released when cats feel stressed or excited. This fishy odor causes cats to feel uneasy and cause them to scoot or rub their rear ends or obsessively lick the anus.
Sulfate-rich substances in cat litter can lead to skin infections that cats find unpleasant to smell. So if your feline companion seems to be constantly rubbing her back or sucking water from the bowl, it could be time for an evaluation at your veterinarian.
Availability
Hydration is essential for cats, as it directly impacts their health and wellbeing. Hydration helps regulate organ function, transports nutrients to the intestines, and keeps a balanced level of minerals and fluids within their bodies.
Water also reduces the risk of urinary stones and flushes out toxins in the kidneys, so it’s essential that all cats have access to clean water.
Many cat owners provide their cats with multiple sources of water, such as bowls and fountains. These are often placed outdoors in the garden and used daily by both house cats and outdoor cats alike.
Cat owners reported that over 80% of cats (>80%) received water in bowls, while 90% provided fountains. Furthermore, cats preferred drinking from small bowls rather than larger ones and no preference was noted for the material of the bowl.
