Content
- Why do cats move water in the bowl?
- Reasons why we found a cat drinking water with its paw
- 1. The water bowl is small
- 2. He doesn't like standing water
- 3. He has fun like this
- 4. He feels insecure or stressed
- 5. He is sick
- Solutions to prevent the cat from putting its paw in the drinking fountain
- 1. Water source for cats
- 2. Properly sized and height bowl
- Enriched and peaceful environment
Ever wonder what goes through your cat's head when he puts his paw in the bowl to drink water? Some cats dip their paw in water and then lick it instead of drinking it directly. Is it a craze? for this curious feline behavior, there are several perfectly logical reasons for the cat, ranging from instinct to boredom to possible symptoms of an illness. But calm down, there's usually no reason to worry when the cat takes this action.
That's why we have this article on PeritoAnimal about cat drinking water with its paw: causes and solutions. Read on to find out and know what to do in each case.
Why do cats move water in the bowl?
Cats dip their paw in water by instinct. The wild ancestors of domestic cats are the key to the mystery that explains why we have a cat drinking water with its paw. Cats are predators, but they can also prey on larger predators. Therefore, they need to watch very carefully where they step, where they eat and what they drink, because an unpleasant surprise can be under the surface of the water.
For all that, wild cats first touch the water with their paws, sniff and lick to check if the water is drinkable. Also, they find out if there are enemies in the water, as they would move by putting their paw in it. So why do we have a cat drinking water with its paw? It is possible that you are following your instincts unconsciously.
But there is another answer to this question. The cats, especially the Older, they don't see the details but the movements. That's why they're such good hunters, because they see their prey when it runs. So they dip their paws into the water to check depth and distance. They shake the water with their paws so they don't accidentally get their nose and whiskers wet. In case of doubt, especially in the case of older cats, a visit to the veterinarian is recommended to check your eyes and vision, as your elderly kitten may have an eye disease.
Reasons why we found a cat drinking water with its paw
Instinct makes the cat protect itself, checking with its paw everything mentioned in the previous section. However, that doesn't justify why your cat always drinks water with his paw. In this sense, the main causes are usually the following:
1. The water bowl is small
Does your cat drink water with its paw? Maybe the water bowl is too small, so that his nose whiskers touch the edge, and that's really unpleasant for him. Therefore, to avoid this uncomfortable feeling, the cat prefers to put its paw in the water and then lick it. If you notice that your cat drinks water from buckets, from the flower pot, or even from the toilet, he may simply prefer a more spacious container. In that case, replace the bowl with a bigger one.
2. He doesn't like standing water
While some cats drink water from the bowl by inserting their tongue, most prefer moving water. It's fresh, clean, and new, factors that cats value a lot, and that's reason enough for them not to want to drink water from the bowl, or at least not directly. So if, in addition to drinking water with your paw, you notice that your cat is drinking tap water, this is probably the reason. For more details, don't miss this other article: why do cats drink tap water?
3. He has fun like this
Another cause that may explain why we have a cat drinking water with its paw is simply because, for him, this looks like something fun. In this case, your environment may not be as enriched as it should be, and your kitten feels the need to look for activities that stimulate him. Does he have enough scratchers and assorted toys? If the answer is no, this is the reason for this behavior.
4. He feels insecure or stressed
If your cat seems nervous or anxious when you dip her paw in water to drink, it may be because she is feeling insecure. Watch your cat: after wetting his paw, does he frantically look around? It is possible that he is stressed, for example, after a change, changes in the house, with the arrival of new cats or other animals in the family.
On the other hand, perhaps the location of the bowl is unfavorable because there is a lot of traffic of people disturbing the cat. Try another place so your kitten feels safer and can drink in peace.
5. He is sick
Finally, we can find a cat drinking water with its paw because it suffers from a health problem that makes it difficult or impossible for him to stand upright. If you notice that he has suddenly started to do this, don't hesitate and visit the vet to examine him and check his health.
Solutions to prevent the cat from putting its paw in the drinking fountain
When drinking water with the paw, the most common thing is for the whole environment to become soaked, for the kitten to step into the water and fill the entire house with splashes, which is not usually good for the guardians. Therefore, it is completely normal to want to understand this behavior and, as far as possible, adapt it to improve coexistence. As most causes indicate that the cat's well-being is being disturbed, it's best to find a solution that suits your specific case. So, depending on the reason, you can apply one or another solution so that the cat does not put its paw in the drinking fountain:
1. Water source for cats
Remember that drinking plain water is very tedious for most. Cats are naturally playful and curious, as well as very clean. some cats love water and have fun with it, therefore, they do not seek moving water just because it is fresher and cleaner.
Our kittens love to spend time watching the water move and playing or throwing it on a plate. If you've noticed that your kitten is curious about water, it might be a good idea to get a cat water fountain. This will keep him entertained and so will he will have fun drinking while you hydrate. Another good reason to choose a fountain for cats is that these animals do not like stagnant water, as we have already explained. They prefer to drink when the surface is circling, as would be natural in a river or stream.
2. Properly sized and height bowl
If the problem is that the bowl is too small or too low, the solution in these cases is to buy a larger bowl and place it at a certain height, although you should keep in mind that some water may fall out. In this other article, we talk about the advantages of raising the cat feeder.
Enriched and peaceful environment
Finally, if your cat drinks water with his paw because he feels stressed, insecure, or nervous and feels he can't lose sight of his surroundings, the solution is clear: you must move the water bowl or enrich your environment. If the bowl is in a very busy area of the house, put it in a quieter place.
Now, if the bowl is already in a quiet area, the problem could be that your kitten is stressed for another reason, such as a sudden shift or lack of stimulation, or bored. In any case, you must find the cause of your stress/boredom and resolve it, as well as check if he enjoys a suitably enriched environment. To do this, don't miss this article: Environmental Enrichment for Cats.
Now that you know the reasons and solutions for a cat drinking water with its paw, don't miss the video where we also explain everything about it:
If you want to read more articles similar to Cat drinking water with its paw: causes and solutions, we recommend that you enter our Curiosities section of the animal world.