For many cats, drinking water is a simple process. They walk up to a bowl of water, lower their muzzle, and stick out their tongue to drink a little.
However, for other cats, the front paw becomes a vital tool when thirst occurs.
Some cats will dip their paw into the water and then use it almost as if they were licking ice cream.
Experts have named several reasons for this behavior.
Discomfort in the moustache area
The whiskers on a cat's face are very sensitive tactile hairs. They have deeper roots than regular hair and are rich in nerve endings.
If the water bowl is too small or too deep, the whiskers may bend when the cat bends its head to drink. To avoid this discomfort, the cat will learn that it is easier to simply dip its paw in the water.
Make sure the water bowl is whisker-friendly. Use a bowl that is wide enough to accommodate your cat's long whiskers. It's best to choose a shallow, wide bowl that can be filled daily to avoid having to refill the water so often.
Depth check
A cat may use its paw to test the depth. This usually happens when the cat owner doesn't fill the bowl until it's almost dry, and then when they add water, it fills right up to the top.
In a multi-cat household where tension may arise, the cat may not be comfortable putting her head in a nearly empty water bowl. She may be safer using her paw to keep an eye on anyone who enters the room.
It is important to clean the bowl daily and top up the water so that your cat gets fresh water. You need to maintain a constant water level in the bowl.
Placement of water bowl
If the bowl is against a wall where the cat would have to stand with its back to the room to drink, it may dip its paw in it to avoid being too vulnerable.
To make it easier for your cat to drink, move the water bowl away from the wall so that she can sit more quietly. Also, place several bowls, because each cat may have a favorite place to drink.
Playing
Cats love to play, so your cat may have discovered that dipping her paw in water can create movement. She may have initially started doing this when she first noticed a piece of fluff or food in her water bowl. Maybe she started dipping her paws out of boredom. For some cats, this behavior is based on having a little fun.
Everyone wants cats to have fun, but dipping their paws in the water doesn't help keep the water clean. If you think your cat might be acting out of boredom, it's time to add some fun to their life. Make sure your cat gets plenty of playtime, both with humans and on their own. Buy a food-dispensing toy to keep your cat busy.
