why does our cat sometimes dip her paw into her petmate water drinking-fountain?

Question

she loves drinking out of the fountain as well. but why does she sabotage it by putting her paws in it and moving it around? sometimes even using her back feet...?

Answer 1

It's completely normal what everyone else has said.

I've had a cat that drank only from his paw. He'd dip his paw in and wave it around and then lick the water off his paw. He would never drink with his mouth like a normal cat. Vet just said he was a silly cat!

I don't think you have anything to worry about -- enjoy the smile your cat brings to you!

Answer 2

Cats don't have depth perception, so she may be trying to see how deep the water is. Also, some cats can't "see" water! I know it sounds funny but there are people who needed to put food coloring in their water so the cat would know it was there. If that doesn't cover it, maybe she does it because it feels good :) I had a cat once who used to sit at her bowl of water and very carefully take her right paw and gently tip the bowl on its side so the water would run out. Then she would lick it off the floor. I kid you not.

Answer 3

They're trying to feel where the water starts and would rather get a wet foot than getting water up their nose. They can't tell the level of the water by just looking because it's see through, so they "test the waters". lol Even when I let a tiny stream of water flow from the faucet they take a swipe through the stream. Mine love theirs on tap, but lately love the idea that I fill a plastic glass to the brim and set in on the shower floor. Just in case someone happens to tip it over, no mess and I don't have to pay attention to the paw pointing!

Answer 4

one in each of my cats does that too. I haven't any thought why some cats does this. She is a mixed breed cat. I tell her she is an element squirrel because of the fact when I provide her a cat snack she will enhance up on her hind legs and takes the snack between her 2 front paws. i've got had many cats and he or she is the only one that has executed this. Cats are so relaxing and all has such diverse personalities.

Answer 5

My cat does it too, front feet only. He wont drink water out of a bowl, but will drink it as it flows down the petmate. He also dips his paws in my bathwater. As I am typing this he has just climbed up the curtains and is perching on top of the curtain rail, which was fine when he was a wee kitten but he is now grown up and huge, and the curtain rail is bending under the strain, so must end here to attempt to save the rail.............

Answer 6

Some cats just naturally like water. She is just playing in it, probably because she likes to watch the ripples caused by her paw. You should feel lucky you don't have a cat like my old calico. She will sit by the water dish for hours, waiting for one of the other cats to wander up and get a drink. When their face is near the water, she thumps them on the back of the head with her paw. Apparently SHE likes to watch them sputter.

Answer 7

My cat does that to her water bowl and she will lick the water from her paw. My cat does it a lot when she does not want to drink from the bowl ,she will put her paw in the water.

Answer 8

My cat plays with her water as well, but only front paws. I have never seen her use the back ones. I think she likes bubbles in the water.

Answer 9

My cat does the same thing. Its like they enjoy feeling the water with their paws before they drink it? Or maybe they are checking to see if its cold enough??

Answer 10

To see where the water starts so she knows how far down to put her face. It's just a way to prevent her from sticking her nose into the water. Normal cat behavior. Some of it is just playing, also normal cat behavior.