My Cat refuses to drink from a dish...

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   keyplayerposted 14 years ago

   My Cat REFUSES to drink from a dish.  He will drink from mud puddles, occasionally from our fish pond but prefers to stick his head under a flowing faucet and drink the water running into the drain while his head gets sopping wet. 
   
   TWO concerns: (a) he eats almost exclusively DRY food which means he needs LOTS of water which he isn't getting, and (b) it's a $#$%#$%#% nuisance tending taps all day to try to ensure he drinks enough. We're on a WELL and can't leave a tap running all day.
   
   We have tried every possible sort of container, even a table-top fountain to no avail.  The WATER can't be the problem as what we put in bowls is the same water he laps up with gusto from the washbasin or tub drain.  HELP!!!!!

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      Diane Insideposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      That's intersting, never heard of a cat that didn't mind getting his head wet while he drank. Funny.
      
      I wish I could help, but I don't know. All I can think of is leave a bowl of fresh water out daily and if he gets thirsty enough he will drink from it.
      
      I know this is not the answer you are looking for but like you said you can't leave a faucet running non stop.
      
      Sorry couldn't be more helpful.

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         PaulaHenry1posted 14 years agoin reply to this

         My Lucky does this! All except for the running water. He will wait till you are done in the shower and drink the water off the bottom of the tub, toilet bowls are his friend and my flower pots on the deck after it rains. However, I found that if I fill a plastic drinking cup full of cold bathroom water, he will drink from it. I guess I would try a fountain simulated drinking bowl that I see at local pet stores or different cups or pots? If all else fails, call your vet for advice. Good Luck!

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         cincin3posted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Sometimes trying bottled watered helps.  As this wates is filtered and is rid of the chlorine.  Some cates prefer this

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      Boots_Mom62posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      My cat used to do the same thing. My vet said that exclusively dry food can cause him to develop a blockage/constipation and to give him some wet food, too. Some of the wet food nowadays has "gravy" with it, which sometimes my cat will drink instead of water.
         If your well water is like what we had for 15 years before moving back to town, your cat might be tasting the iron and other metals in it--which is nasty. ={  Have you tried bottled water with your cat?? You wouldn't have to get the really expensive type (even a store brand would work), and a 20 ounce bottle would go a long way with the way cats drink. And put it in the refrigerator to keep it cold, as some others have suggested. Also, if using plastic dishes, wash them out about every other day. Hope this helps.

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         Miss Steakposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Cats prefer COLD, running water. Give your kitty refrigerated water, in a crockery bowl. The bowl stays colder, longer, than most. You can also put ice cubes in their water and they'll suck it right back. I wish you well.
         
         Miss Steak

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      beverleejbposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I would place the water in a large dinner plate
      Good luck!
      AND PUT SOME DRY FOOD IN THAT WATER, THAT MIGHT WORK

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      tritrainposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      My dog will only drink filtered water.
      
      He's a water snob.

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      Uninvited Writerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      My cat will only drink water from a cup or a glass, never his bowl. That might be a solution.

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         Ron Montgomeryposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         We have cats like that too.  They drink from water glasses and highly prefer to drink from a glass after one of us has sipped from it.
         
         I used to have a cat that would only drink from the toilet; no bowl, glass or anything else, only the toilet.

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            Sufidreamerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            That makes sense - they let you take a sip and, if you don't die, the water is safe to drink.

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               Uninvited Writerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               I never looked at it like that

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               EmpressFelicityposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               
               
               One of our cats likes to sleep on the bed. One night I was woken up by a slurping sound. He had stuck his head inside the glass of water I keep on my bedside table, and was drinking his fill. 
               
               I now use a very tall, narrow glass for my bedside water...

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                  Pearldiverposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  That sounds like the cat got your teeth!!

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      druidanaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      lol, sounds just like my Dexter.......so when he's up on the counter wanting the fauset turned on..................i make it a wee drip for him. he likes that. that way i KNOW he's getting water. every so ofter he will drink from the water basin.....but he prefers the running water. silly boy
      dru

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      blondeyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      try putting ice cubes in the water......sometimes cats drink from toilet bowls cause the water is so cold.
      my cat loves the above and is hooked on it!

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      J Sunhawkposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Small bowls might touch a cat's whiskers. Some cats don't like that. Maybe try a bigger bowl.

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   Lisa HWposted 14 years ago

   There are gadgets that will help keep pet water cold.  They do like the colder water, and sometimes their dishes get "less fresh" than they like.  Have you tried a disposable paper dish to see if, maybe, the dish you're using has picked up "old smell" (the way plastic often does)?

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   Bill Manningposted 14 years ago

   My Spinkie eats only dry food and also likes to drink from a running faucet. I turn one on now and then when she lets me know she wants a drink.
   
   But she does not seem to drink much. I have a water bowl for her and if she has to she will drink from that.
   
   So I guess if your cat gets thirsty enough she will learn to drink from the bowl. You teach kids how to not be picky, you do the same with animals.

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      keyplayerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Thanx to all for some interesting advice.  My BIG concern is that MALES can develop urinary problems from under-hydration.  I got some interesting info from a jA vet (pay site) which I'm going to try.  I've had «finicky» cats B4 but this guy (a suspected FERAL rescue) is just plain s-t-r-a-n-g-e.  Our dog loves him though so I guess we just have to muddle along with these idiosyncracies.
      FAD

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         Pet Ownersposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Please be very, very wary of any pay site. HUGE Red Flag right there.

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         beverleejbposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Hello, our cat was a male Persian and the food I am a rep for he most always drank water because the food just seems to make him thirsty.
         He was an extremely healthy  cat.
         no kidney stones.
         I can check with the company and find out why their food keeps my cat drinking

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   ftclickposted 14 years ago

   finicky comes to mind.

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   TigerLillyRoseposted 14 years ago

   My cats prefer running water too, and have no problem with sticking their head under the faucet, whether I want them too or not.  I would think a pet drinking fountain would work, but if you've already tried that, hmmm. I would leave water in the sink for one of my cats. Usually they follow me to the bathroom (well,they actually follow me everywhere) and I automatically turn the tub on to trickle while we are there.
   
   What did the vet suggest and did it work?

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   caninecrtiticsposted 14 years ago

   Try a automatic cat waterer or leave a faucet dripping like i do it doesn't affect the water bill hardly at all.

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   Pet Ownersposted 14 years ago

   Here are some basic cat facts to clear up the many myths and mysteries out there pertaining to cats:
   
   -Cats are the strictest of all carnivorous mammals.
   
   -Cats, as obligatory carnivores, have a naturally low thirst drive to begin with -- any Zoo or encyclopedia will conform all this. Do NOT believe what adverts and Vets endorsing pet foods tell you. Look into the facts and make an INFORMED judgment for yourself.
   
   -Cats' jaws do NOT rotate
   -Cats do not even have teeth which are designed to grind -- they are more like scissors, for shearing and tearing.
   
   But don't believe me, the Zoo, or an encyclopedia -- just open your cat's mouth and look in!
   
   Please do some research on cats (any Encyclopedia, any Library) to learn just why the Urinary tract problems; Diabetes; stones/crystals and, of course puking is so very common in cats. And PLEASE look to UNBIASED sources with no conflicts of intere$t before heeding ANY advice, anywhere.
   
   Many renowned Holistic (i.e "healthy" veterinarians such as Dr Michael Fox, Martin Goldstein, Elizabeth Hodgkins, Marion Smart, Lisa Pierson, etc. have info at our fingertips. Just google for their credentials. They  believe in following BASIC common sense to PREVENT all these maladies before you need to drug up your pets.

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   libby101aposted 14 years ago

   One thing about any cat, be it lion, tiger or domesticated, they derive most of their water from their food! A lion gets most of his water from the blood in meat from their prey! But...they do still drink some water because of the heat!
   
   I would switch the food to soft food... maybe mix it!
   
   I also would try something to mimic a faucet dripping! Find something that recycles water! I believe if you check I've seen several small waterfall replicas... maybe you could use one of those????

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   wordscribe43posted 14 years ago

   Cats like very large and wide bowls so their whiskers are not touching the sides.  You might want to experiment with some new water bowls...  Good luck!

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    animaluverposted 14 years ago

    I agree with Libby, cats are designed to get their water from their food so feeding cats dry food exclusively is bound to lead to other problems like dehydration.
    
    I had a cat that drank from faucets and the tub too.  Turned out he was clinically blind -- could be kitty is having a problem seeing standing water in a bowl where as drinking water that is moving or on a very shallow surface is easier.  Every time my cat tried drink water from the bowl, he'd wind up snorting it up his nose.  It was so sad, we wound up leaving facets dripping.

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    Kidgasposted 14 years ago

    There are devices at the pet store (saw one at Petsmart) that are essentially little fountains.  You fill with water and the water recirculates but look like it is coming out of a tap or hose.  Just search cat water fountain on google and you will see what I mean.

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    Home Girlposted 14 years ago

    Try to eat nothing but a dry cereal(and without milk, please) whole day long and we'll see what tap you'll be sitting under! Just a thought.

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    Pinkidillyposted 14 years ago

    You may want to get a water bowl that has a fountain in it. Some cats prefer aerated water and that is what it sounds like with your cat. Cats are very particular about water but there are water bowls with an aeration system. Check your local pet store.

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    Kathryn LJposted 14 years ago

    My dogs were fussy about their drinking equipment (although rainwater from puddles seemed to hit the spot.) A pudding basin with the Harrods' logo on it seemed acceptable and they now drink willingly from it.  Maybe your cat has similar snobish tendencies?

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    psycheskinnerposted 14 years ago

    Sounds like your cat might like: http://www.amazon.com/Drinkwell-FWB-RE- … B00063446M

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    Patmar Unitedposted 14 years ago

    My cats like running water so I bought a fountain waterer with a filter.  Like many before, I recommend giving a mixture of wet and dry food.  I give my cats dry food for breakfast and wet food with a little dry food on the side for dinner.  My male cat loves the gravy more than the food itself.  Good luck

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    Pearldiverposted 14 years ago

    My Cat refuses to drink from a dish...
    
    
    What is Wrong with some pet owners?
    
    Why are they Always expecting their pets to do the very things they wouldn't do?

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    kazemaru2posted 14 years ago

    Cat nip helps in coaxing cats to do something just don't depend on it.

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    michifusposted 14 years ago

    its quite common with cats to prefer muddy water. However, what is your cat's water bowl made from? Glass or ceramic is best, metal and plastic can give the water an odd taste. Mind you, a ceramic toilet will give water an odd taste, but some cats seem to like it.

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    caninecrtiticsposted 14 years ago

    Thats why I use automatic cat water fountains or a dripping sink

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