Why Does My Cat Drink From the Toilet?
Seeing your beloved cat drinking from the water bowl is kind of jarring. You’re likely to look back at all the times she’s given you little face kisses and think, ew, gross! You can tell her to stop but you know, deep down, that she won’t. That makes you think, “Why does my cat drink from the toilet?”
There are multiple reasons why a cat drinks from a toilet, ranging from natural instinct to pure fun. Buying your cat a water fountain is the best way to prevent her from drinking from the toilet again. If that fails, you may want to try some of the other tips written above. Good luck!
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Why Do Cats Drink From the Toilet?
There are several reasons why a cat prefers drinking from a toilet instead of her water bowl. We’ve seen stranger things—we’re cat owners, after all—but this is something that needs to be dealt with sooner rather than later. Here are some common explanations for this odd behavior:
It’s Fresh and Cool
For us, drinking out of a toilet bowl is gross and dangerous. We see it as a place to, well, do our business, and nothing more.
However, to your cat, your water bowl is a magical throne with an unlimited source of fresh, cool water. You might be wrinkling your nose right now, but it’s true! Some even say that toilet water contains more oxygen because of recent flushing.
It’s Fun
Your cat may have developed a bit of an interest in watching the hypnotic swirl of water in the toilet bowl whenever it’s flushed. In fact, some enjoy it so much that they’d learn how to trigger the flushing mechanism of your toilet themselves!
Furthermore, they might perceive their reflection in the water as someone to play with. Drinking water from the toilet is a win-win for cats, as they can drink and play at the same time.
It Plays With Their Natural Instinct
The churning, swirling sound of a toilet bowl is reminiscent of water from the lake or river and is likely to trigger your cat’s primal side. In the wild, cats are hardwired to avoid stagnant water in the belief that it’s unsafe. In comparison, toilet water is ever moving and fresh.
Is Drinking From the Toilet Dangerous for My Cat?
Cats are extremely clean animals, so it’s unlikely that they’d drink from a dirty toilet bowl. Furthermore, cats have a robust immune system that takes care of small impurities and microorganisms found in toilets. That being said, there are several things you need to be aware of even if your toilet bowl is sparkling clean.
Toilet Chemicals
According to the Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), one of the biggest concerns of letting a cat drink from the toilet is the chemicals found in the water. For instance, many people use antifreeze in their toilets to prevent water from freezing during the winter. Antifreeze is extremely lethal to cats.
Colorful cleaning agents, while not as harmful or lethal as antifreeze, can likewise be toxic.
The APCC claims that your cat might experience mild stomach pain and diarrhea if she drinks from a blue-water toilet bowl regularly. If such a case happens, they highly recommend giving your cat clean water or a small glass of milk immediately to help dilute the mixture running in her body.
If severe symptoms start showing, it’s best to contact your veterinarian at the soonest possible time. The same is said if your cat has ingested a potentially poisonous toilet cleaning agent.
Accidental Falls
A cat falling into the toilet bowl is another huge concern. While investigating, a cat might slip and fall into the toilet, putting them at risk of getting trapped and drowning. Even after you pull her out, it’s likely that she’d develop a sprain or injury. This is especially true with kittens due to their small size.
How Can I Stop My Cat From Drinking From the Toilet Bowl?
The occasional drink or two is unlikely to cause any major problems for your cat, but if she’s doing it on a daily basis, it’s time to take action. Here are some tips on how to stop your cat from drinking toilet water:
Keep the Lid Closed
The biggest and most obvious solution is to simply keep the lid of your toilet shut. If she can’t access the inside of a toilet, she won’t be able to drink. If you’re not used to closing the lid after using the toilet, you can invest in a smart toilet seat that automatically closes every time you flush. Closing the door of your bathroom is likewise a good idea.
Invest in a Cat Drinking Fountain
Your cat won’t be happy that you’ve taken her precious source of tasty water away, and thus might search for an alternative—your kitchen sink, for example, or your shower. If your cat absolutely refuses to drink from her water bowl, it might be worth buying her a cat drinking fountain.
Cat water fountains are a great way to give your cat 24/7 access to fresh flowing water. Their attractive design also entices and encourages your cat to drink more water. The PetSafe Drinkwell is one of our favorite water fountains due to its high capacity and dual design. Plus, it’s low enough for kittens and seniors to drink from.
Once you buy your cat her very own water fountain, you’ll need to regularly change and clean the machine’s internal filter. If you don’t, the water in it might not taste fresh or clean and may discourage your cat from drinking from it again.
If you’re not a huge fan of water fountains, you can also buy an automatic refilling bowl that gives your cat a continuous supply of fresh, clean water.
Change the Water Bowl’s Location
Some cats dislike the smell of cat food while drinking and may refuse to drink from it entirely. The same is said if her water bowl is close to her litter box.
Place the bowl in an area that’s easily accessible to her. It might also be worth buying more than one bowl so she can drink whenever and wherever she pleases.
Keep the Water Cool
One of the biggest reasons a cat won’t drink from her water bowl is because it doesn’t taste good. You can solve this problem by occasionally adding some ice cubes into your cat’s water bowl to keep it nice and cool.
You should also make sure to change her water at least once or twice a day to get rid of any floating debris or cat hair. While doing so, wash her bowl every time you refill it to remove any microscopic bacteria.
Get a New Water Bowl
It’s likely that your cat doesn’t like the taste of her water bowl and the flavor it gives to her water. This is especially true if your cat’s water bowl is made out of plastic. Therefore, consider buying your cat a bowl made out of stainless steel, glass, or porcelain.
Stainless steel bowls are what most animal experts recommend because they’re durable and easy to clean. If your cat already owns a stainless steel bowl, you may want to get her a ceramic or glass bowl, instead.
Final Thoughts
Like dogs, cats also have the tendency to drink water from the toilet bowl. In fact, animal experts state that it’s completely normal behavior. However, it’s best not to encourage them to avoid any potential accidents in the future.