Oscar is about 10 weeks old. He eats from a bowl without a problem, but when it comes to drinking water from a bowl, he would rather tip the bowl over and drink the water off the floor. Or, drink water from the shower after I get out. Is this normal? Is there anything I can do to convince him to drink from a bowl? I'm worried he'll dehydrate when he spills his water and it dries up and there's nothing in the shower.
2006-11-07 05:53:18 · 10 answers · asked by faelfe 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Thanks everyone! I appreciate it!
2006-11-07 06:17:43 · update #1
Kitty may be playing with his water more than drinking it. Maybe having it on the floor or from the tub gives it some taste that appeals to him.
If kitty is eating a diet of wet food (as he should be) he actually may not need to drink. Cats are desert creatures that evolved to get their moisture from their meals, and they have a very low thirst drive. Wet food has about the same water content as freshly killed prey and it provides all the moisture kitty needs.
My late great Rusty was with me from his adolescence through his entire adult life and I only ever saw him drink once. That was outdoors, from a puddle. I have never seen my current kitty, Scamper, drink.
If you're wondering why I said kitty should be eating a diet of wet food, check this out:
http://www.catinfo.org
In fact, check it out anyway, even if kitty is already eating wet. What you'll learn will be interesting and will help you ensure a long, healthy life for kitty.
2006-11-07 06:16:58 · answer #1 · answered by Mick 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I want to chime in with Mick here on the importance of using canned meat for at least 50% of Oscar's diet. I can guarantee you will be looking at urinary problems if he eats nothing but dry food. Not right now and before he is four or five for sure.
I would just have a bowl for him near the shower and when you finish your shower fill it with some water and just leave it in the shower. A ceramic bowl wouldn't be too tippable and you can easily change the water every day when you shower.
I always run my cats' water through a Brita water filter as I do my water for coffee because I don't like the taste of the cholorine and there are a number of other things in our tap water that is not good for pets either.
2006-11-07 06:32:18 · answer #2 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually, yes, this is pretty normal. Well, it may not have gotten winged completely. I'm not sure, I have more dogs than cats. But, just keep filling the bowl up. When you get out of the shower, make sure the kitten isn't allowed near the water. And when it's near the water bowl, try holding its body still and not let it move away from it after it eats. That's all I know to say. =(
2006-11-07 05:57:01 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I read somewhere that cats prefer anything besides a bowl to drink water from. They can't see the water in the bowl when they get down close to drink it and they end up sticking their whole nose in the bowl and they don't like that. Therefore they prefer a running faucet or a just used shower.
2006-11-07 06:19:27 · answer #4 · answered by porkchop 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats like to drink from "fresh" water. This means that it isn't "stale" (in a bowl) but "mixed" (like from a fountain or water tower, etc...) When he gets near the water, stir it or gently splash it up with your hand to show that it is "fresh" He probably will eventually drink from the bowl with no problems if you do this.
2006-11-07 05:57:51 · answer #5 · answered by Barcode Branded 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well you could get a weighted water dish. Look on ebay... I am sure they have some... Or I bet most pet stores do as well. Pet stores also sell a 'fresh flow' water dish. It keeps the water constantly flowing.
My cat used to do that. He will only drink water if it is running out of a faucet. Only the freshest for him. Maybe your cat is a fresh water freak too.
2006-11-07 05:55:59 · answer #6 · answered by Kamunyak 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you've got yourself a faucet kitty. :) I've got one of those myself. He meets me in the bathroom a few times a day for me to turn the water on for him (it drips anyways, so he's always got a little).
I would suggest getting a fountain for him. They sell kitty fountains now (at any petstore), but really any fountain will work. One of my cats is constantly drinking from our tabletop fountain. Just make sure you keep clean water in it (and that you refill it every few days as it can ruin the motor if it runs too low).
2006-11-07 06:03:10 · answer #7 · answered by kittikatti69 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some kittens like to play in their water. My advice would be to get him a bowl that he is unable to tip, but is big enough for him to put his paws in if he wants to. I did this for my cats, and they're fine now ;)
2006-11-07 05:57:18 · answer #8 · answered by aniravenwing 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this is normal cats love to drink from running water. weither it is running in the floor or down the drain.
I leave the water in my bathroom sink dripping and my cats drink out of that
2006-11-07 05:55:26 · answer #9 · answered by Pamela P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
cats like fresh water
2006-11-07 06:26:10 · answer #10 · answered by Jessica S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋