Water obsessed cats: you know the struggle if you have one. These felines constantly seek out water. Whether they prefer the sink, faucet, or even the toilet, you’re not alone. While this can be a quirky habit, in some cases it may point to underlying health or behavioral issues worth paying attention to.

by Rita Reimers, Certfied Cat Behaviorist

Competing With Your Cat for the Kitchen Sink?

More and more often, I find myself standing in line waiting to use my sink, my tub, and sometimes even for my water glass. I live with three older cats who are all water obsessed.

Oh you thought cats and water were mortal enemies, right?

Wrong! Especially as cats grow older, they become more and more fixated on water, especially (but not exclusively) running water.

If you find yourself constantly turning on the faucet even though your cat has full bowls of water, it can be a little annoying unless you understand just what is going on with your water obsessed cat.

Reasons for Water Obsession in Cat

Mostly it’s older cats who get extremely and stubbornly fixated with water to the point of annoyance, although younger ones certainly can and do enjoy a good splash. In this article, I am really addressing the issue of cats who will lay by, or even in, the sink, tub, or water bowl for hours on end.

Water obsessed cats will often cry for you to turn on the faucet 23 hours day and won’t let you alone until you do it. They obsess over water relentlessly, and nothing you do deters them from what they want most.

Unfortunately, there can be medical issues contributing to the behavior of your water obsessed cat:

• Urinary Tract Infections
• Urinary Blockages
• Kidney Stones
• Kidney Disease/Failur
• Diabetes
• Hyperthyroidism

Don’t Skip the Vet Visit for Water Obsessed Cats

A visit with your veterinarian is in order to rule out these or other medical reasons for your cat’s keen interest in water. These diseases can seriously affect your cat’s longevity and quality of life if left untreated.

As I mentioned, I had three cats who obsessed over water. My Trouble, pictured above at the sink, used to scream all the time for me to turn on the water for him. I could not wash dishes without him rushing for the faucet the moment he hears me turn it on.

Trouble was 15-years-old, which is the age range when age when Kidney Disease often sets it. Sweet Pea, directly above, was Trouble’s sister. For her, it was Hyperthyroidism that had her laying down in her water bowl, even though she was on medication for it. Sadly, at age 18 my Sebastian (below) had full blown Kidney Failure, and he too was obsessed with water.

Has your vet ruled out a medical cause, but your cat is still demanding the faucet or taking over the sink? I can help you look at when the behavior happens, what your cat gets from it, and how to make daily life easier for both of you.
Explore a private consultation for guidance tailored to your cat and home.

Accommodating  the Water Obsessed Cat

Once you’ve considered whether a medical issue may be contributing to your cat’s focus on water, there are several ways to make life easier for both of you

• Offer a Pet Fountain: Cats in the wild never drink from still water, they look for fresh running streams and other moving sources of water. You may even notice your cat pawing at the water to make it move. Offering your cat a pet fountain that simulates running water will satisfy this natural instinct. A fountain also encourages your cat to drink more often, even if he isn’t obsessed with water. My cats love the Pioneer Stainless Steel Raindrop Fountain. Also offer a large water bowl, like my Sebastian is using here. He may want to stir it with his paw.
• Add Water to Wet Food: This is a good strategy to get more water into your cat’s diet, whether or not he needs it for one of the medical reasons listed above. Many cats do not get enough water into their diets, and this can lead to kidney stones and urinary blockages. A totally dry food diet can also contribute to these issues.
• Give Milk Replacements: While you should never offer a cat cow’s milk because they are lactose intolerant, you can give them cat milk replacements or even goat’s milk to add more liquid to their diet. Cat Sure Liquid Nutrition is great for the older cat. It will give them a nutritious liquid supplement that also adds additional hydration to their diet.

Your Water-Loving Kitty Will Thank You

If your cat still prefers your faucet, you might learn to live with it. After all, you clearly love your water-obsessed cat just as much as I loved all three of mine.. I gladly shared my sink, my tub, and even my glass of water with all three of my water obsessed kitties.