Bathroom Guide

Why does my cat not always drink the water in her water dish?

I leave two bowls on water on the kitchen floor, and I change them daily. However my two-year old female cat MUCH prefers to drink from the bathroom faucet. I know this is common, but why?

Public Comments

1. She may just perfer it. I have the same type of thing with my dog. He will only drink water from the sink, rather than from a bottle
2. Cats especially like their water to be very fresh. Because you said your cat likes to drink from the faucet confirms this. Think about changing the water more often, or buying a cheap water fountain they make for cats. It keeps water circulating and keeps it from getting stale.
3. Cats are picky. They like really, really fresh water. I have a cat that will not drink out of anything except the kitchen faucet, and another that prefers the fish tank. It helps to mix in some canned food with dry (if you feed dry), to make sure your cat gets enough water. It will keep your cat much healthier in the long run.
4. My cat used to prefer to hop on the counter, and drink from the sink. He'd drink from the water that was left in any dirty bowls, or drops just sitting in the sink. I can't be positive, but I feel, and many others did as well, that it's flavored, and maybe that's why. I'm not sure why your cat wants to drink from the bathroom faucet though. lol. But still, maybe there's just something he likes about it.
5. very good question..lol i get my cats bottled water.. chill it and everything.. and they prefer the toilet.. go figure
6. my cat does the same thing idunno y they do it but i think its because they like the fresh moving water---probably some instinctual thing rite?
7. They love fresh running water to drink. Mine do the same thing but also drink from their bowl also.
8. It's fresher. The water coming from the faucet is flowing and aerated, the water in the bowl is stagnant, even if not very much so by human standards. You might want to consider getting a water fountain for pets - they love the flowing water and it produces a pleasant sound for people too. :)
9. Instinctively animals usually prefer running water as (in the wild) it's a sign that it is fresh. Cats have very sensitive noses and water can easily become spoiled or soured by spraying air freshener (even in another room) or if it is next to the food bowl (it can absorb the odours of the food), even the litter tray if it's nearby. You can test this theory for yourself the next time you paint, by putting a bowl of water in the room overnight and closing the door. Give it a good sniff in the morning and you'll see what I mean. Or............you could always try this link. http://www.safepetproducts.com/product.asp?specific=184&gclid=CNvsy-zQ3Y0CFQcMEAod9VcLbw
10. Wouldn't you rather have really fresh water? lol My cat likes the tub! They make dishes that have pumps in them and filter the water as it moves, cats usually LOVE it!!! Petmate Fresh Flow Pet Fountain. Put that in the search engine and you should find lots of places to purchase them! Get an extra pump as soon as you can, hard to get - pet stores usually have entire fountain but not replacement pumps! Go anywhere but the evil Wal-Mart to get it, the world thanks you for that.
11. Once a cat drinks water somewhere else besides their bowls, they will want to drink there from now on. Don't allow her to drink there anymore. She might take a few days to get back to drinking from the bowl. She will get thirsty enough to go back to the bowls. Unless you don't mind it, but you don't want finicky kitties!! GL
12. My cat prefers the drain in the bathtub.....
13. Some animals like colder water. faucet water tends to come out cooler than water that has been sitting out and has raised to room temperature. My German Shepherd will only drink water from a faucet on hot days, or from her bucket that sits on the colder basement floor...try putting an icecube in the dish. but you could expect wet kitty prints all over the kitchen after She plays with the floaty cube :)
14. My cat was the same. We worked out that if we put her water in a glass dish, she would drink, and we have managed to put the dish as close to the sink as we can, changing it 2 or 3 times a day, as this also helps.