Drinking from the Tap or Sink

Many cats will walk past a perfectly good bowl of water and instead beg to drink from a tap, and this preference has sound roots in feline instinct. In the wild, still water can stagnate and harbour bacteria, whereas moving water is more likely to be fresh, so cats are naturally drawn to a running or dripping source.

Moving water is also easier to detect. Cats have a relatively weak thirst drive and can struggle to judge the surface of still water in a bowl, sometimes misjudging where it is; the sound and motion of a tap make the water far more obvious and appealing. Some cats also dislike a bowl placed too close to their food or in a busy spot, or a bowl so narrow that it brushes their sensitive whiskers as they drink.

Because good hydration is so important for feline kidney and urinary health, it is worth encouraging cats that love running water. A pet drinking fountain offers a constant moving source, and using wide, shallow bowls kept away from food bowls and refreshed often can also tempt a reluctant drinker.