There are certain animal behaviors that will never cease to amaze us. Above all, those who seem to incur in a contradiction with respect to the preconceived image we have of them. This is the case of the relationship between cats and water. Why do they scratch the ground when they drink? And why do they put their feet in the bowl of water? All our lives we have thought that cats cannot stand water, however, there are several reasons that can be found behind this strange eating ritual.
Cats love water as long as it is not directed at them. The reason why they avoid bathing and splashing as much as possible, but love to see themselves in their reflection is that they suffer from shiny object syndrome. These cats love reflective surfaces and the rippling effect created by hitting the water with their paws. That’s why the toilet is one of his favorite places to cool off.
They are the youngest kittens, eager to discover the world, the most given to splashing the ground with this type of game. It is precisely for this reason that you have to be careful and keep the water at an optimal level to avoid dangers. In this case, make sure that there are no deep containers full of water in the garden or room where they swarm and that their drinker is always clean. Of course, cats can’t stand drinking dirty water!
If more than one cat lives in your house, the reason why they splash water out of the drinker may be that they are not willing to let their guard down completely. Likewise, the fact of scratching the ground while they drink is one of the ways that these animals have of indicating to their peers that that bowl belongs to them. If you think that your cats may feel uncomfortable, try that each one has its own drinker or distribute them around the house.
Another reason why cats put their paws in the drinker may be due to the sensitivity of their whiskers. When overstimulated, for example by hitting the rims of bowls, it can be uncomfortable and even painful. In this case, one solution is to replace the sprue with one with a shallower rim.
Kittens really like moving water, so a good alternative is to purchase a fountain-type drinker or dispenser. They will never put their paws in the water again!
If your cat is an adult and continues to splash while drinking, once the above possibilities are ruled out, she may just get bored. In these cases, try to spend more time interacting and playing with your pet. If he continues to shed water, discuss this behavior with your vet, as it could be due to an underlying problem.