It has been said that curiosity killed the cat, but in reality, their curiosity often keeps them safe. A cat’s curiosity leads them to investigate everything they encounter, from new smells to strange noises. This inquisitiveness often puts them in unique situations where they can see and learn new things.
While cats may sometimes get into trouble by being too curious, this trait also helps them become better problem solvers, more adaptable to change, and helps them learn and grow. Cats use their curiosity to understand how the world works and can be very resourceful in figuring things out.
They explore their surroundings by playing with objects they find. So, it’s no surprise cats sometimes put things in their water bowl. But what is the reason behind this behavior? Well, that can be difficult to establish with certainty, but we can surely guess.
The 6 Possible Reasons Why Cats Put Things in Their Water Bowls
1. Accident
It may be that your cat’s toy or other objects ending up in their water bowl is purely an accident. Cats love to play and get zoomies, and may bite and toss around their toys. It’s not surprising that sometimes they end up in weird places, such as behind the counter, on the opposite end of the room, or in their water bowl.
2. Boredom
Another potential reason cats put things in their water bowl, by accident or on purpose, may be due to boredom. Your kitty needs a fair amount of physical exercise and mental stimulation, depending on their age, health, personality, and lifestyle, in order to feel content and fulfilled. Otherwise, they may start looking into how best to entertain themselves, leading often to mischief. One of the things they may do is play around in their water bowl and drop things in the water
3. Having Fun
Some cats enjoy playing with water, and they may put things in their water bowl to amuse themselves. Some cats enjoy batting around a toy or playing with food in their water, while others may be curious about what the object looks like floating in their drink.
Cats are intelligent animals, and many experience delight in interacting with objects they place in their water bowl.
4. Convenience & Easy Access
Possibly, one explanation for why some cats put things in their water bowl is that it is simply convenient for them. When a cat wants to drink, they have to drop the object they’re holding in their mouth in order to do so. If a cat has a toy or other item, they may carry it to the water bowl and end up accidentally dropping the object inside the water bowl.
5. Seeking Attention
Some cats will be particularly messy around their water bowls if they realize this is the way to get their owner’s attention. Even negative attention, if you have shouted at them, is a form of attention, and they may have associated dropping something in their water bowl with receiving a response from you.
6. Possible Health Concerns
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Although health issues are not the most likely reason, your cat putting or dropping food or objects in their water bowl could be a warning sign of a potential health problem. Your cat may have a health issue that is causing oral or dental pain, and they might be dropping treats or food from their mouth, chewing awkwardly, drooling, eating less, or having bad breath.
It is also possible that your cat has a health condition that is causing them to drink excessively. Cats may increase their water intake drastically when they develop thyroid imbalance, urinary tract problems, feline diabetes, or kidney problems. These problems are typically accompanied by lethargy, and reduced appetite, except in hyperthyroidism where it’s generally increased, weight loss, messy drinking, or excessive drinking. You should schedule an appointment with your veterinarian if you notice any of these warning signs.
How Can You Stop Your Cat From Putting Toys in Their Water
It is difficult to determine whether or not you can “stop” your cat from doing anything since every feline has a unique personality and set of behaviors. In some cases, using positive reinforcement may discourage the animal from continuing a particular activity; however, with such behavior, this may prove challenging because it depends on the reason behind it.
It is possible to reduce undesirable behaviors in cats, but it may take a bit of effort. If you are trying to stop your cat from putting toys in their water, you must be very consistent in your efforts.
1. Change to a Water Fountain
You can prevent your cat from putting toys in their water by removing the water bowl, but you should still ensure that they stay hydrated. An excellent way to change the scenario for your cat while enticing them to drink is to swap the water bowl for a water fountain.
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2. Enrich Their Environment
Ignore your cat if they intentionally place their toys in the water bowl to attract your attention. Wait until your cat is distracted or asleep before cleaning up the mess. That way, you will send the message that you are disinterested in the behavior. Increase their physical exercise and enrich their environment using cat trees, vertical perches, scratch posts, toys, food puzzles, and more, in order to reduce the boredom that may be a part of the cause for this behavior.
3. Consult a Veterinarian
If your cat has only recently started dropping food or other objects in their water bowl, or they are drinking more than usual, behaving differently, being lethargic, eating less, or losing weight, it’s important to get them checked over by a vet.
Conclusion
Ultimately, cats may put things in their water bowl for various reasons. Some cats do it just for fun, due to boredom, or because they like to play with their water, while others may drop food in the bowl accidentally. If your cat puts things in their water bowl, there is generally no need to worry unless they are showing any signs of illness, in which case you should visit your vet. Otherwise, just keep an eye on the bowl to ensure the cat is drinking enough water!
Featured Image Credit: rihaij, Pixabay
