Dogs and cats can have, shall we say, peculiar behaviors at times, right? My little dog, for example, loves to drink straight from the tap when he is perched on our kitchen counter. (He sits on the counter when he is ready to take a quick bath after having played in the mud. At just 11 pounds, he can easily shower off in the sink!) Interesting to me is the fact that I place a perfectly good water bowl right next to him, filled with refreshing water for him to enjoy. Yet he still wants to lick the tap. Why????
Evidently, there are some cats who enjoy the same thing, begging the question: Is it possible to get your cat to drink from a water dish rather than from the sink?
Adorable or annoying?
While it may seem cute for just a second when your cat attempts to quench her thirst from the spout, it can also be a pain in the you-know-what, especially if she tries to hop into the sink every time you are using it to get your own drink or prepare a meal. First step? Determine what is causing her to favor the sink over her water dish.
Motivated by choice or illness?
You may assume your cat’s behavior to use the sink to get a drink is simply a matter of choice. However, you may have to rule out some medical conditions that may be sparking that behavior. When a cat seeks additional water sources, it could be related to an underlying illness. Therefore, schedule a visit with your veterinarian to determine if this could be the case.
If your vet has eliminated any medical problems, you can begin to direct your cat away from the sink. This simply requires making a few simple changes to her space and daily routine.
Reasons why your cat may drink from the sink
Consider where her current water dish is located. This might not be the ideal location for her to enjoy her libations. Cats who prefer high spaces may simply prefer a faucet to a bowl on the floor. If her water dish is located in a loud, high-traffic place, the sink may offer her a quieter, more peaceful setting in which to enjoy a quick refreshing drink. Further, if her water dish is in an area shared with children and other pets, that may also deter her from drinking from it.
Begin to experiment
Remove any stressors that might be keeping your cat from using her water dish. Begin with relocating the dish. If she prefers high places, consider placing the bowl on an accessible counter. If you have multiple cats in the home, go for multiple drinking locations. And be sure to keep the water dish away from the litter box. I mean, seriously, do you want to enjoy a glass of water while taking care of your own business in the bathroom?
It just tastes better.
Maybe your cat drinks from the sink because the water tastes better. Her water dish may have a certain scent or residue in it that deters her from drinking from it. Be sure to regularly clean her water dish using a non-scented cleaner that does not leave any residue. Your vet may also be able to recommend a flavored additive to put in your cat’s water.
As with anything, it takes time and patience to see changes. Be sure to reward and praise your cat when she drinks out of her water dish. She should soon understand that she gets more of your loving affection when she does this, and then hopefully her past behaviors will be washed away!
Source: vetstreet.com and Mikkel Becker
Written by Ann Butenas
An internationally-recognized author and writer, Ann began her professional writing career at age 12 and began speaking while in college. She has been published thousands of times over the past three decades in all media forms, was former editor and publisher of KC Metro Woman magazine, and has also hosted three talk radio shows in the Kansas City area.
