Ok. She only likes really fresh water. She used to drink out of the toilet a lot. I've even caught her drinking my bath water or licking the tub after I've had a shower. Here lately she doesn't do either and she seems really thirsty. If I put out a bowl of water she'll look at it and walk away. She might dip her paw in for a second, but she won't drink it. (This is fresh water). I once caught her trying to drink some water out of the sink and I shooed her away. If I have a cup of water, she will try to dip her paw in it or drink it, or knock the ice cubes out on the floor and play with them. I don't know what to do.
Also, when I'm at my computer, she sits on my chair and tries to chew on my hair. Again I shoo her away, I have NO IDEA what that's all about!
2007-02-03 09:58:13 · 13 answers · asked by So_many_questions 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
By the way...now she won't even drink out of the toilet. It's like she's getting no water at all. I've even tried running a little water for her in the sink so she can drink it (like if she hops in the sink in the bathroom and tries to lick the faucet, I'll turn it on really gently so it can drip or run slowly, but she doesn't drink that either!)
2007-02-03 10:13:18 · update #1
My cat is the exact same way. When I first got her all she would do is drinking running water from the sink. She refuses to drink from a bowl and would drink water off of the floor of our shower. What I've actually had to start doing is instead of setting out a bowl of water, I set out a cup of water. It's a large cup that her entire head will fit into and I just fill it to the brim each morning. I would recommend trying this - it's made life for me AND my kitty so much easier. Best of luck!
2007-02-03 10:02:22 · answer #1 · answered by Lhynne 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You are going to have a serious problem on your hands in less than 24 hours unless your cat gets some fluids. It may be that she has an illness and this is what is manifesting.
I noticed that everyone else that answered didn't seem to recognize that your cat is not drinking water at all now.... that is my understanding. This is a sign that something is very very wrong. You will need to contact your vet right away. A cat can't live long without any fluid, it's organs will shut down.
You should also take note whether she is grooming herself or not. Is she licking the walls or floors? Good luck
2007-02-03 11:57:04 · answer #2 · answered by ineeddonothing 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Your cat's toilet bowl drinking is completely normal. I have two cats and both prefer the toilet bowl. Just try to keep it clean and if you use chemicals to clean it, make sure you flush it MANY times to get rid of the chemicals. Cats like fresh flowing water. You could try buying one of those little fountains they make for cats that has flowing water if the toilet bowl drinking bothers you. Your cat might prefer that. My cats almost never touch their water bowl. One of my cats will get on the sink and likes to drink right from the faucet and even sticks his head in it. Go figure! Anyway, some cats just like to play with water because it is part of their breed. I don't know that the hair thing is about but if you have long hair, it might be perceived as a cat toy. I would redirect your cat when she starts doing that and put her on the floor and dangle a string, playing with her. That gives a clear message that your hair is not a toy. Maybe you need to play with her more.
2007-02-03 10:10:34 · answer #3 · answered by Barbara B 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Why do some cats insist on drinking from a dripping faucet?
Cats - like most other animals - prefer their food and water fresh, and running water is most appealing for that reason. Too, the motion of water coming out of a faucet is probably appealing to their sense of hearing and sight. Some cats will even put their paw into their water dish and "swirl" it around so they can drinking "running" water.
What causes this kind of behavior?
No one knows for certain. It seems that genetics may play a part, and that early weaning may also have an influence. The majority of cats that show this behavior are Oriental breeds (Siamese, Burmese, etc.) or their crosses. This suggests that there may be a genetic basis for this behavior. Young kittens have a very strong sucking instinct. Oriental breeds tend to have a longer natural nursing period than other cat breeds. Kittens being raised by breeders are generally weaned at 6-7 weeks of age, and it is possible that this shorter nursing period frustrates the natural instincts of the Oriental breeds and promotes a tendency towards this behavior. Cats of other, non-Oriental breeds generally have a shorter natural nursing period, and being weaned at 6-7 weeks is usually not a problem for them. However, if these kittens are weaned at a much earlier age (for example, because the queen dies), they seem to be more prone to develop this behavior also. Often the behavior does not start until the cat is several months old, and many cats seem to outgrow it by about 2 years, although for some it becomes a life-long habit.
Cats that ingest large quantities of hair are more prone to hairballs. In most cases, the licking and chewing these cats do may be annoying, but it is not dangerous to the cat. Contact your veterinarian right away if your cat develops vomiting, diarrhea, stops eating, or becomes lethargic.
How can I discourage my cat from this behavior?
Sometimes young cats will outgrow this behavior. Gently tapping the cat on the nose and saying, "No" when the cat starts the behavior may help, or squirting the cat with a water bottle. To be effective this must be done immediately, as soon as the cat is starting the behavior.
Some people whose cats lick their hair at night have resorted to wearing a hat to bed!
Some people find that if they give the cat one item that he is allowed to chew, he is satisfied and leaves other things alone. In some cases, changing the cat to a high-fiber dry food or giving the cat chew toys designed for dogs seems to help.
It is also important to make sure your cat is getting plenty of exercise. If possible, set aside several times a day to play with your cat. Try to provide a stimulating environment for your cat, using toys, a fish tank, bird feeders, or specially made videos for cats.
I have a kitten that eats everything else, kleenex, toilet paper, boxes, chews on wood, metal, carpet fibers, etc. I have to watch him like a hawk. I just found out he got into my candy dish on a high counter top and ate the wrapper and part of a chocolate bar. I have kitty proofed my home and have a water bottle and have a scat cat that sprays at him, it is motion detected and when he jumps on the counter, it goes off and he jumps down. I just have to replace the batteries often.
I hope you find the information helpful.
2007-02-03 10:11:29 · answer #4 · answered by Stephanie F 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Cats are not like dogs, they DO NOT like a stale bowl of water, they prefer running water out of most and since they normally can't find that in a human world....they go after dripping faucets, bathtubs, even licking our hair when wet. Go to a pet store and buy a cat drinking fountain. Its like a pump ffrom a fish tank and it circulates the water non stop like a fountain and the cat will love you for it. She is always thirsty cause she never has enough water....this will cause many illnesses as well.
When she pats the water with her paw and then walks away....she is LOUDLY telling you.....I don't like it and its not what I want and NEED.
Her chewing on your hair, let her do it. Cats and all animals groom each other out of respect and as a sign of loyalty. If she wants to groom you, let her, to diss her will only make her think you do not like her as she likes you and will not be close to you, listen to you and might even run away.
Cats are nothing more than a 3 yr old child that can't talk.....just listen to their body language, their change in tones in meows, etc. They will even come and get your attention and want you to follow them just so they can show you want is wrong...they are NOT dumb animals by far....actually some of the most intelligent. They will even tell you if the litter box is dirty, if you have a stanger around the house outside, etc. Just listen and watch...get a few books or read online too if you have too.
2007-02-03 10:05:36 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Very normal. Leave the tub dripping some. That way you avoid the toilet if it bothers you so much. I understand the hair thing bugs you. It is only trying to show affection.
2007-02-03 12:18:12 · answer #6 · answered by SHAy 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
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2017-02-17 03:04:55 · answer #7 · answered by John 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
like your cat, my cat doesnt like to drink out of bowls. That's just the way some are. So we put out little dixie cups with water in them throughout the house and thats what my cat drinks from, you should try it.
2007-02-03 11:05:29 · answer #8 · answered by iloveyou! 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The chewing on the hair my cat does just because it is long and he like to play with it.The water thing you might want to have check up to make sure she doesnt have have intestinal parasite.It is very easy for them to get because they clean so much after using the litter box.
2007-02-03 10:03:05 · answer #9 · answered by stegall_sherry 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
cats like the minerals added to the water you find in your sink and toilet.. they like chewing on hair because it resembles string and the perfumes in your shampoo/conditioner are stimulating for them.
your cat drinking out of the toilet is healthy for her teeth and chewing on your hair is annoying but just gently tap her on the nose or keep a spray bottle of water handy and spray her in the face
2007-02-03 10:01:27 · answer #10 · answered by Lauren S 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋