How to Stop Cats From Putting Their Paws in Water: 5 Expert Tips
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Cats are adorable; there’s no doubt about that. However, if we’re being honest, some of their peculiar habits can be slightly annoying. One of those habits is approaching their water bowl and giving the water a tap or two with one of their paws. It’s not a dangerous habit, per se, but it can make a mess you’ll have to clean up.
If you’re wondering why your cat puts their paws in their water but, more importantly, how to stop the behavior, keep reading. We have expert tips below to help you end the messy feline habit (or at least reduce its frequency).
The 5 Tips to Stop Your Cat From Putting Their Paws in Their Water Bowl
1. Get a Wider, Shallower Water Bowl
This first step entails purchasing a new water bowl that’s wider and shallower. This will allow your cat to better judge the water in their bowl before drinking and prevent their whiskers from being disrupted.
2. Move Your Cat’s Water Bowl to a Better Position
You want your cat to feel safe and comfortable when drinking. To do this, move their bowl to a spot on the floor that gives them plenty of room to drink from wherever they feel safe. Placing it about 2 feet from any wall is ideal, where they can’t be bothered by your dog or small children.
3. Give Your Cat Plenty of Cat Toys
If your cat is bored, they will play with their water, so be sure to keep them from getting bored by providing plenty of toys and other things to do. Cat scratching posts, a catio where they can be “outside,” or even an old box to play in will all work. Playing with your cat daily will keep them healthy and strengthen your bond.
4. Change the Water in Your Cat’s Bowl Regularly
Cat’s like fresh, clean water, so be sure to change the water in their bowl as often as necessary to ensure it’s always in pristine condition. Some cat parents use a water fountain to entice their cats to drink. Not only will the water always be fresh, but many cat fountains also have filters to ensure the water is clean.
5. Use a Cat Water Fountain
Cats, likely due to thousands of years in the wild, prefer to drink moving water, even if only a little. It is one reason they like drinking from the faucet in your bathroom. A cat water fountain might be the perfect solution if your cat is dipping rather than drinking.
Why Do Cats Put Their Paws in Their Water Bowls?
Before learning how to stop your cat (or cats) from dipping their paws in their water bowls, it’s helpful to know why they do it in the first place. Let’s take a quick look at the most common reasons:
Cats Have Sensitive Whiskers
While they may look like large ordinary hairs, your cat’s whiskers are incredibly sensitive and have roots much deeper than the hairs of their fur. If, for example, your cat’s bowl is too small when they go to drink, it can impact their whiskers and cause pain and discomfort, which is why they may resort to using their paws instead.
The Water Bowl Is Too Deep (or the Water Is Too Shallow)
Cats instinctively look around when they drink to ensure no predators are nearby, even if they’re safe inside your home. If their water bowl is too deep or shallow, your cat can lose their peripheral vision when drinking. If they do, they will use their paws to drink water instead. That way, they can see what’s around them and stay safe while they do.
The Water Bowl Is in a Bad Spot
Like the last reason, this one is for your cat’s safety. For example, a bowl in a corner forces your cat to turn their back to the room, which their instinct tells them is a bad idea. It’s better to place the bowl away from the wall, so your cat can move into a “safer” position when drinking.
Your Cat Is Bored and Trying to Have Fun
A bored cat will do anything to create a little fun. Swatting at their water bowl to see the water move, while not exciting, is better than nothing for a bored cat.
Your Cat’s Water Is Dirty
Cats are fastidious creatures, which means they strive to stay clean. If the water in their bowl is dirty, they will dip their paw in it rather than stick their tongue in to get a drink.
Can Dipping their Paws in the Bowl Harm Your Cat?
Although the risk isn’t huge, your cat could get sick if they dip their paws in their water bowl and lick the water off. That’s because your cat can step in all sorts of nasty stuff while walking around, especially if they’re an outdoor cat.
Feces and urine from other cats are inside your house if you have multiple cats. When playing outside, your cat can run over feces from other animals. Plus, if your cat walks through grass sprayed with insecticides and herbicides, it can cling to their paws and be licked off when they lick off the water.
Can Your Cat’s Proclivity for Dipping their Paws in Water be a Sign of Illness?
Although relatively rare, it may be a sign of illness if your cat has recently started dipping their paws in their water bowl. For example, if your cat has vision problems, they won’t be able to see their water or bowl clearly and may reach out to find the water. Also, older cats may have problems with mobility. If they do, sitting up while dipping their paw to get a drink might be less painful and thus their preferred method of drinking. The same can be said if your cat is suffering from arthritis or has been injured somehow.
Final Thoughts
Although dipping their paws in the water bowl may seem harmless, some cats can get sick if they have a toxic substance on their paws. However, it’s unlikely to happen if your cat stays indoors and cannot access household cleaners or other dangerous materials. It’s also a sign that something isn’t right, whether the bowl’s size, position on the floor, the quality of the water, or some other reason.
We hope the tips we’ve shared today, and the reasoning behind this odd habit, have been helpful. Water is essential for a long, happy life, so be sure your cat is comfortable with the water bowl’s design and location.
Featured Image Credit: yykkaa, Shutterstock
