is this a problem?

Question

My cat, who I have now had for over a year, makes a total mess when she is drinking milk or water from her dish. When she scoops the liquid up with her tongue it goes out of the dish and on to the floor! she must get more on the floor than in her mouth.

It doesnt matter about the height of the dish, it still happens.
Is this normal, do other cats spill this much, i have seen cats not spill a drop! does my kitty have a mouth problem? please help thanks

Answer 1

Some cats do this. And, she'll always be that way. It'll even worsen when she gets older. Your cat could have some kind of problem with the shape of her palate (the top part of her mouth) or with her teeth or the way her tongue muscles interact with her teeth and palate to form the lap and suck, but I doubt it. (Try not to feed her wet food because that's the source of most housecat dental sufferings). What I've observed from getting down close when they are kittens is that when they learn how to suckle from their mothers, some cats don't quite make a sealed suck. They kind of keep their mouths open a bit in a seeming smile and somehow learn a fancier way, with a more active little tongue action, how to suck. Those kittens are the ones who grow up to be the splashers and dry food scatterers. BUT, they also tend to be the more intelligent cat for some reason, maybe from the added stimulation of all that open-mouth tongue action when they are nursing age. I have a dry food scatterer right now and it's really an annoying mess. But, I'm stuck with the little critter for a couple of decades. I don't mind the mess, really. He's a charmer and I love him.

Answer 2

I have three cats, and only one of them does the same thing. When he drinks from the water bowl he sloshes water around like a dog would. I think most cats are too sophistocated to make a mess, but I guess there are a few who are a little sloppy. I don't think there is a problem, just put a matt or towel under the water bowl. And it IS okay to give kitty a little milk once in a while as a treat but not all the time--the kind made especially for cats is better, though.

Answer 3

The only thing I can think of is it could have something to do with her teeth. Does she have an underbite or is there anything strange looking about the shape of her jaw or her bite? I'm sure it's nothing to worry about as far as her health is concerned - it's mostly just annoying to you because it makes a mess. Quite frankly, I wouldn't bother taking her to the vet because I doubt they can do anything for her - it's not like they make braces for cats. But you might want to call the vet just to find out what it could be to satisfy your own curiosity and see if they have any suggestions.

By the way, and this is irrelevant to your question, you might want to stop giving her milk. It's not good for cats - cow's milk isn't nutritionally beneficial (or rather, nutritionally complete) to cats and can even cause digestive problems. Mostly though, you don't want to add calories from a food source that doesn't provide adequate nutrition. I would only give milk to a starving cat.

Answer 4

No matter how tall he dish is really does not matter, but the amount of liquid in it does.Try only filling the container a 1/4 full and see how it works out.If you kitty is still messy you might try going to a vet and having her/him checked out.

Remember that owning a pet is a big responsibility and in all cases should be treated as you would a child.Just keep trying different things and I am sure you will find a whats needs to be done for you kitty.

Answer 5

I would have the vet take a look. I have had cats who took food out of the bowl and ate it off of the floor or table.

This behavior doesn't sound right,but it may be OK. Without checking the cat's mouth, I wouldn't know for sure.

Answer 6

does your kitty have longish shaggy fur and a lot of fur around the head almost like a lion mane and a huge raccoon like tail?????
if your kitty is a maine coon mix kitten, kitty will have some interesting drinking habits. mine cannot drink either--gets water akk over his chin and down his neck--sloppy drinker--i have to laff all the time at him.

do not give your kitty milk--is bad for them--they are lactose intolerant. i give mine only a taste occasionally--but it gives kitties loose stools and barfs.

don't worry about kitty being sloppy--put the water glass or dish--mine will NOT drink from a dish--he WILL drink from a glass. but place whatever he wants to drink out of on a napkin of some sort--so it is pretty--but so it helps kitty not be a menace--wet floors slip. he is ok--he probably is like mine.

have a good year with kitty. lafff a lot.......

Answer 7

kitty could have a tooth problem IE a crooked tooth or something stuck on a back tooth that does not allow her to completely close her mouth when swallowing beverages. She could just be sloppy as some puddy tats are. Mine is a real pig.

Answer 8

no way!! this is perfectly normal..my cat spills water everywhere and he is fine, thats what the vet said anyway... does your cat lick up against the edge of the dish, like, scooping the water over the edge??????? if so its fine...

Answer 9

He might try a different type of shaving gel, some of them are designed to help soften up the stubble. Of course that is usually for the shave itself. Over time I would think your skin will become used to the abrasive nature of his chin. A lotion on your skin before making out might help also. Perhaps he could grow a goatee or a beard. Long facial hair does tend to be softer.

Answer 10

the cat doesnt have a probelm, I had a puppy that was 8 months and did the same thing and even put his paw in it and nock it over. I t soon changed. He became more mature. It natural.