Why Does My Feline Fuss to Drink From the Faucet?

Lisa Crosby

Even though you keep water down for your cat, does he or she turn into a commando when you turn a sink on? Water in a small bowl gets warm and stale quickly. Water trickling from the tap is oxygenated and cold. It tastes different and better than water sitting in a bowl. 

If you want to encourage your cat to drink from a bowl, make sure the container is ceramic, glass or stainless steel—and rinse and refill it at least twice daily. Don't use plastic bowls for water or food. Plastic is a magnet for odors and bacteria—a big turnoff to a cantankerous kitty (and not healthy either).

Something else to consider: Drinking fountains for pets will likely keep your cat off of the counter. These fountains simply plug in and you can adjust the flow of constantly running water. The water is recycled through a replaceable charcoal filter to make it even more inviting. After years of use, when my fountain eventually broke, I caught my cat licking the faucet, trying to get a drink. 

Check your local pet store and you should be able to reclaim your faucet...and encourage your cat to drink adequate amounts of water.