How to feed a cat correctly: why water and food should be in different places

05.11.2023 18:40

One of the important aspects of caring for a pet is its nutrition. How to feed a cat correctly so that it is healthy, happy and stress-free? In this article, you will learn about one simple rule that will help you do this.

Do not place the water bowl next to the food bowl.

Some cat owners believe that it is better to place the food bowl next to the water bowl.

This way, your pet can easily quench his thirst after eating. However, this is not the case.

If you have arranged the bowls in this way, do not be surprised if the cat does not want to drink water or pulls food out of the bowl. This is not because it wants to annoy you or play with you. It is because it follows its instincts.

Why Cats Don't Like Drinking Water Near Food

Cats are descendants of wild predators that hunted animals and ate them on the spot. They did not drink water from the same bodies of water where the corpses of their victims lay. After all, such water could be contaminated with blood, dirt or cadaveric poison.

Kittens
Photo: © Belnovosti

Cats knew that dirty water could lead to illness or even death, so they looked for clean water far away from where they ate.

Domestic cats have a genetic memory of this. They still distrust water that is near food. They may consider it "poisoned" or "dirty" and refuse it. Or they may move the food to another location to protect the water from contamination.

How to Properly Place Cat Bowls

To avoid such problems, you need to follow one simple rule: place the water bowl away from the food bowl.

It is desirable that they are in different rooms or corners. This way the cat will feel comfortable and safe. It will drink enough water and will not scatter food on the floor.

You also need to consider the cat's preferences for the type and size of bowls, the cleanliness and temperature of the water, the place and time of feeding. Cats have their own tastes and habits. Therefore, you need to observe your pet and find out what it likes and what it does not.

Sergey Tumanov Author: Sergey Tumanov Internet resource editor


Content
  1. Do not place the water bowl next to the food bowl.
  2. Why Cats Don't Like Drinking Water Near Food
  3. How to Properly Place Cat Bowls