Cat Behavior - What Your Cat Wants You To Understand | Patriotic Paws Dog Walking in Washington, DC

Why is my cat doing that?

We hear a lot of questions from cat parents and wanted to explore two of them below.

Is your cat drinking from everywhere other than their water bowl?

There are a few reasons your kitty may be doing this. Many cats can’t see standing water well, but they can hear and see running water. This may be why your cat drinks from a dripping faucet.

Cats are also very sensitive to the size and material of a water bowl. They won’t like it if it’s too small (hits their whiskers) or too big. Felines are also very sensitive to smell, and some plastic bowls give off a scent that your cat may not like. Additionally, instinct may be telling them that standing water isn’t safe because in the wild it’s often a breeding ground for bacteria. Lastly, if your cat eats canned or fresh food, they may get enough water in that.

So what can you do?

We know of people that leave a faucet dripping, or turn it on a few times a day so their cat can drink. You could try adding flavored water (mixed with a bit of tuna fish) to their regular meal which may satisfy most of their H2O needs. There are running water pet fountains on the market; both cats and dogs love them. Cats are finicky about having a very clean water bowl, so be sure to wash it and change the water every day. If your pet’s drinking habits change suddenly, it could be a sign of illness, and you’ll want to get advice from your vet.

Why does my cat sit in high places?

We know of a cat that spends most of his day on top of his people’s refrigerator, surveying the lay of the land. It’s instinctual for most cats; they are safer in the wild when not on the ground and they love having a high vantage point. It is part of your cat’s hunting skill set to be up high, keeping an eye out for small prey (which hopefully you don’t have in the house)! Many homes are warmer near the ceiling (remember, heat rises) and what cat doesn’t like a toasty cat nap? Climbing is also an entertaining activity for a kitty. And of course, in a multi-cat household, a little height often keeps the peace.

Be sure to provide your cat with some vertical territory. Some people have shelves up near the ceiling for their cats to hang out on (they will need a way to get up there). You can buy a multi-level kitty condo, keep in mind they need to be sturdy and stable, most cats won’t enjoy a wobbly one. Most felines love watching the world from your window; consider putting a shelf or cat tree at window level so they can nap and watch the world go by!

Our pet’s quirkiness is part of the joy of having them, does your cat have some interesting behaviors?