Some cats start spending more time sleeping near the water bowl, seeking out other water sources (like drinking from the toilet or dishes in the sink), or suddenly show interest in drinking from the faucet. Throwing cat feces or litter down the toilet or outdoors could allow more Toxoplasma parasites to get into our rivers and oceans, putting … I keep three to three bowls out and I keep refilling them. In most cases, it’s not really dangerous for your pet to get their water from your toilet Here’s some expert advice. Tankless Water Heaters. Bacteria are certainly not healthy for us either, and if you are in regular contact with your cat, the transfer to you is simple. Since the water is constantly filtered and flowing, your cat will be likely to drink more. Antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. This habit could derive from two simple factors, such as water temperature and availability of running stream. This appeals to multiple senses. If its clean then it has chemicals in it, if its not then its full of bacteria. A cat sits and screams at her water bowl for several minutes before taking a drink, and the behavior has been going on for four years. You think I’m a bad mother. I suspect she has been doing this for a while. How To Prevent Your Cat From Drinking Toilet Water When it comes to strange pet behaviors, drinking out of the toilet may very well be at the top of the list. If there aren’t other forms of stimulation and environmental enrichment, the cat may develop an interest in watching the water swirl around whenever the toilet is flushed Trying to clean the toilet bowl and the cat jumps up to drink the water. |, A Chance to Win $10,000 for Your Favorite Shelter From Arm & Hammer Cat Litter, Tips for Preventing Cat Behavior Problems during COVID-19 Isolation, Some Common Reasons Why Cats Stop Using the Litter Box, The “Must-Have” Checklist for Solving Your Cat’s Behavior Problem, Seven Things That Make Sense to Your Cat… But Not to You, The best art of Super Bowl. For whatever reason, cats really seem to like toilet and bath tub water. Oddly enough, some of the reasons for a pet drinking out of the toilet are rather sensible—at least on the surface. So if you’re noticing your cat is spending more time at the water bowl -- or faucet, or your water glass -- then it’s likely a significant change. Cats or dogs that like to drink from the toilet do so because they like fresh, running water more than the stagnant water in their dish, and toilets are frequently flushed to refresh the water. Approaching the door, you hear a little slurping sound and enter to find a furry feline rear end sticking up out of the open toilet bowl. $34.99 - $35.99 #18. While this may seem like a safe practice as long as the bowl is clean, many of us use different products to keep our toilets sparkling. Cats too, though their reach often limits their ability. There may be an instinctual aversion to still water. How to Stop Your Pet Drinking from the Toilet “I think the best way to curb drinking from the toilet is to keep the lid down and the door closed. If a significant amount of water remains in the lungs, pneumonia can develop. Use a water purifier or mineral water. I suspect she has been doing this for a while. Ok, this is definitely not a fun subject to discuss but if you have a cat who drinks out of the toilet, it’s something you want dealt with quickly and effectively. Cats to Drink out of the Toilet? Step 4 Pet fountains work on a similar principle, constantly moving and filtering the water to keep it fresh. Possibly because it serves several purposes: being in the bathroom, being on the counter, being in a cup—mimicking drinking out of their human’s cup, and constantly being fresh since I change and refill the water several times daily. But once you break down the risks and benefits of this common behavior, imbibing “eau-de-toilet” doesn’t seem so gross anymore — not to me, anyway. Toilet Partitions. I know you’re wrinkling up your nose at the idea of toilet water tasting better than water in the regular bowl but stay with me on this – we’re looking at things from a cat’s perspective. For cat owners, the continuous struggle to keep their feline’s heads out of seemingly every available water source but their water bowls is an arduous one. Your cat may be looking for fresh, clean, aerated water. Drinking from the toilet is definitely not sanitary for any animal. If your cat is drinking a lot from unusual sources – such as dripping taps – make sure there’s nothing wrong with the water you give them to drink. Also, offering several bowls of clean, cool, fresh water around the house can help to deter toilet-water drinking,” says Dr. Grzyb. I used liquid Comet to clean a toilet and the cat got into the toilet and drank some of the water. Like others have said, keep the lid down. Keep water going to sewage treatment plants or septic systems Toxoplasma free. I've put out fresh water for my cat before, in a newly cleaned dish no less, only to find him licking up leftover water off of the floor of my shower a few minutes later. By comparison, the water in your cat’s bowl may have been sitting around for longer than your cat would like, becoming stale and accumulating a film of hair, dust and other particles. Many cats are chronically dehydrated, so … In general, a cat drinking more water than usual is not normal and is usually a symptom that something is wrong. Hot Water. Th…. The cat really wants the toilet seat down, and it wants the seat down all the time. Many cats will shy away from a water bowl that isn’t squeaky-clean, and like us, they much prefer fresh water. Use a water purifier or mineral water. The most common reasons cats drink from toilets are the convenience, because the water is cold, and it’s less stagnant than the water in their bowl. They love it! Place additional water bowls in other areas of the house. Some very smart cats have even learned to flush the toilet themselves. \"The majority of cases are regular household bleach, which is an irritant but not a corrosive agent.\" This means the symptoms can sometimes be treated by you at home relatively quickly and painlessly. Kastty Cat Water Fountains, Pet Water Fountain, Whisper Quiet 3L/101oz Kitty Water Fountains, Water Bowl Drinking Fountain for Cats, Cat Water Dispenser with LED Light,1 Cat Waterer Filter 4.6 out of 5 stars 289. Finally, some cats just truly prefer freshwater and don't like to drink stagnant water in their bowls. Your cat is drinking toilet water! A cat may also develop the habit of drinking from the toilet as a result of play behavior. It’s obviously not safe for your cat to drink from the toilet bowl, and while the danger of falling in and drowning is mainly a risk to small kittens, you don’t want to risk it … Lately my cat has been trying to drink the toilet water when both of her waterbowls are full. According to my research, there is no definitive reason why your cat fancies drinking from the faucet, except that it … I would just get the habit of closing the lid. If your cat is drinking from a problematic water source like a fish tank, bathtub, or shower, you can stop this behavior by closing the cat off from these sources. I like to recommend the kind that offers pets the choice of lapping directly from the stream, off a ramp or from the bowl. Household pets have a tende ncy of tasting and even having some preference to drink from the toilet over the bowl. From the porcelain throne to bathwater, drinking from these water sources can be hazardous to your cat’s health and safety. Washfountains. Reliable. Aspiration typically results in coughing, gagging and regurgitation of the water ingested. Cats are at a higher risk than dogs. My cat has two waterbowls. What should I do? The leader in water and space-saving products. Give her plenty of fresh water, and take her to the vet to be safe if she has drank bleach water. Scents. Most cats with a health problem show other signs of illness, such as lethargy, confusion, or a change in appetite. Increase in an old cat’s drinking and urine production is often an early indication of several age-related diseases. I caught my cat drinking blue toilet water. As hydration is so important to sick cats, you must persevere. Share this: Click to … Drinking from the toilet is common among household cats. Seeing cats drink water can often be a rare occurrence, especially if the cat is eating wet food. Is there anything I can - Answered by a verified Cat Veterinarian. Thermostatic Mixing Valves. This is why the condition is called polyuria with polydipsia ( PU/PD ). They’re not expensive, and they offer what your cat loves: cooler, running water, but without all of the things you don’t want your cat ingesting from the toilet. To do this, you could put aluminum foil or double-sided tape somewhere where your cat's paws would have to touch to drink out of the toilet. Kitten Bowl Is Back to Bring Even More Cuteness to Super Bowl Sunday 2021, Gradually expose your new kitten to sights, sounds and smells that he will most likely encounter as he grows up. Helpful Tips for Getting Your Cat to Eat More Canned Food. Wide selection of innovative materials. She could be drinking from the toilet because her water doesn't interest her. Seamus, our tabby cat, prefers toilet water above all others... and during this episode he clears my wife out of the room with a fart. cat: liquid..drank..She shows no signs of poisoning at this moment. Unfortunately there are many microorganisms in a toilet bowl that are not especially healthy for cats. If your cat is drinking from a problematic water source like a fish tank, bathtub, or shower, you can stop this behavior by closing the cat off from these sources. Disgust arises as you try to remember if you flushed the last time. They both seem to be drinking a lot of water. Toilet bowl water is very attractive for most cats. Washroom Accessories. Eating Indigestibles. I leave plenty of clean water … When water is just sitting in a bowl all day, it can be unappealing to your cat, so it is a good idea to make sure your cat has a fresh bowl of cool drinking water throughout the day. I can now feel his spine. Cats do not drink much, but they do need fresh water. In the wild, a cat will usually only drink moving water which helps to help prevent her from becoming sick. What can you do about it? To break this bad habit, start closing the toilet, providing more bowls of fresh water, and even cool it with ice cubes if you can. If your cat doesn’t have fresh water, they will go looking for it and water is always in the toilet. Household pets have a tende ncy of tasting and even having some preference to drink from the toilet over the bowl. Pets drinking pool water may accidentally aspirate water due to improper posture when drinking or the sheer quantity of water available. Art Animation Comedy Cool Commercials Cooking Entertainment How To Music & Dance News & Events People & Stories Pets & Animals Science & Tech Sports Travel & Outdoors Video Games Wheels & Wings Other 18+ Only Fashion. Having said this, just because a dog may not be harmed from drinking from a toilet, there is no benefit from allowing a dog access to a toilet as a drinking source. Water that has been sitting in a regular water bowl for hours or even days may not be as tasty at room temperature. And, sure, drinking from the toilet seems likely to top the list of verboten activities for indoor animals. Another remedy is to put a small ball in the food bowl, causing the cat to eat around it and, consequently, to eat less. This just takes a few moments and it could save a cat's life. I am all for getting my cats to drink more water, and this is an easy way to do so; plus it is kind of a treat. Many cats will flush the toilet then drink from it while it refreshes. If your cat is drinking from the fish aquarium, keep the door to that room closed. So why do some cats actually prefer drinking from the toilet instead of their own water bowls? In general, a cat drinking more water than usual is not normal and is usually a symptom that something is wrong. Accurate. Every Time. Two of my cats love to drink from the faucet, and since I don’t leave it running all day long, I left a porcelain cup of water by the side of the sink. Do not allow her access to the toilet in the future to drink from it. On Time. As for cats, there is the added possibility of drowning. cat may also develop the habit of drinking from the toilet as a result of play behavior. My boy cat suddenly started drinking from the toilet and claiming into the shower after we get out looking for water. Add flavor to the water by adding tuna juice. 3 She loves playing with the dog and even sitting on his back. Maybe your cat will drink from a bowl but insist on splashing the water with her paw. You should definitely stop her from drinking from the toilet, especially because it has the disinfectant tablets. A common theme you may find in my “Ask-a-Vet” answers is that if your pet has any new or unusual behaviors, they are worth taking note of and, often, discussing with a veterinarian. How To Prevent Your Cat From Drinking Toilet Water When it comes to strange pet behaviors, drinking out of the toilet may very well be at the top of the list. Sign up for the FREE Cat Health Mewsletter: Most cats love running water. Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Here are a few ideas for keeping your cat out of the toilet bowl: A note from Dr. Schelling: My cats love the bathroom. Wet food has such a high water content that their desire to drink additional water may be decreased. If there aren’t other forms of stimulation and environmental enrichment, the cat may develop an interest in watching the water swirl around whenever the toilet is flushed. The water in the regular water bowl may have been sitting there so long that it has begun to taste stale. Both of them are always filled. If you use this chemical during the winter months, be sure to keep your toilet lids down and your chemicals out of paws’ reach. Lots of cats love running water, so the toilet bowl itself could be a source of fun for him, and while he’s there, he might as well have a drink! Buy a porcelain bowl to help keep your cat's water fresh. The toilets have blue disenfect tablets. The water is moving and is at its freshest. Cats may be drawn to toilet water due to aromas in the bathroom. So what is the attraction with cats and running water? No, this isn’t just a novelty idea to trick your cat into thinking that it’s … If a significant amount of water remains in the lungs, pneumonia can develop. Another reason some cats may enjoy drinking from the toilet is the water in there actually tastes fresh. It is part of a game plan, as I know from personal experience. This is extremely hard for a human to believe but again, look at it from a pet’s point of view. It’s not uncommon to see a dog (or a very adventurous cat) with their head in a toilet, lapping up some unattended toilet bowl water. I know, I know. If your cat is drinking from the fish aquarium, keep the door to that room closed. During the winter, many people use antifreeze in their toilets to prevent the water from freezing. Half-fill the bowls. Notice: Ask-a-Vet is an affiliated service for those who wish to speak with a veterinary professional about their pet's specific condition. They may be domesticated, but they were wild outdoor creatures much longer than they’ve been our indoor family members, and instincts and traits endure. It is part of a game plan, as I know from personal experience. That visual fascination may then lead to curiosity and she may dip a paw in the water. They love to hang out during morning ablutions, drink from the faucet, converse with me when I am using the toilet, and sleep next to the bathtub. Cats are also fussy about drinking water. If the best source of fun for the cat in your house is for him to hang out at the toilet, then it’s time to rethink whether you’ve dropped the ball when it comes to environmental enrichment. \"It all depends on the type of bleach the pet is exposed to,\" she says. Temperature control. He is drinking the toilet water. Cats love cool water. Cats can be private about their day-to-day habits, like grooming, using the litter box, and drinking. They tend to remember this after doing it a few times and make a habit of … I caught my cat drinking blue toilet water. Pet fountains work on a similar principle, constantly moving and filtering the water to keep it fresh. Most cats with a health problem show other signs of illness, such as lethargy, confusion, or a change in appetite. Ew! Cats or dogs that like to drink from the toilet do so because they like fresh, running water more than the stagnant water in their dish, and toilets are frequently flushed to refresh the water. Why does my cat like to drink from the toilet? This is why it is very important that you determine the normal amount of water your cat is drinking every day or else we won’t be able to recognize that something is not going well. In theory, this is the most hygienic way for a cat to drink from the toilet. Much like dogs, cats will seek out water if they do not have any readily available. The running water is As you are getting ready to leave the house, you head for the bathroom to grab some tissues for your pocket. An average cat weighing 4 kilos (8.8 lbs) should take approximately 180 ml/day, if they are overweight and also urinate a lot, it means that something is happening and we should go to the vet. Alternatively, it could be that your cat has learned that water tends to be cooler when it's from a tap or rain water. Changes in Appetite and Water Intake You may notice you are filling your water bowls and fountains more often or you cat suddenly is a finicky eater or wanting to steal the pizza off your plate. If your cat drank water with bleach, such as from a toilet tank or a bowl of bleach solution for cleaning, remove the cat from the area or place the bleach where the cat cannot access it. Is this the same mouth from which I get little KISSES!!??? Exposure to diluted household bleach and color-safe bleach can sometimes be treated at home. But this time, the dog was not in the mood for games. We use … At his age there are many conditions that can potentially cause these symptoms such as kidney disease, diabetes and hyperthyroidim to name a … Try a pet fountain such as the. But once you break down the risks and benefits of this common behavior, imbibing “eau-de-toilet” doesn’t seem so gross anymore — not to me, anyway. Dogs love toilet water. Pam Johnson-Bennett is the best-selling author of 8 books on cat behavior. Buy A Porcelain Cat Bowl. Veterinarian-written / veterinarian-approved articles for your cat. Running streams and deep lakes are typically cool. Why would she choice that water over regular Accessories to fit every washroom and budget. Fresh water Your cat may be looking for fresh, clean, aerated water. PU/PD often presents with other associated symptoms that can help differentiate the cause why the cat is drinking more water. 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