Why Do Cats Lay Next To Water Bowl? 4 Possible Reasons

In this article, I am going to explain why do cats lay next to the water bowl. They have some really weird behaviors, and lying next to the water bowl is one of them. Let’s get to know why:


Cats always perplex us with their unusual behaviors. They are their creatures, and their behavior differs from one cat to another.

So, it is tough to attribute a specific reason to a particular habit. Cats often prefer to spend their time with a water bowl.

This habit may seem entirely harmless to any cat owner. The cat might be too lazy to go to the water bowl every time it gets thirsty, or it probably likes the environment near the water bowl.

However, if the cat is not drinking or eating even after staying near the water bowl, it can indicate deep-rooted ailments.

You should take the cat to a veterinary clinic as soon as possible and start their recovery process. In this article, we will explain everything you need to know about this habit.

Why do cats lay next to a water bowl?

 

Before you figure out why your cat is behaving in such a way, you need to observe your cat’s other activities as well. You need to check the following things –

  • Eating habit
  • Drinking habit
  • The number of times they are going to the loo
  • Hanging its head above the water bowl.

Observing these activities can help you in understanding the actual reason behind this behavior.

If you suspect that the cat is probably suffering from any ailment, you should go to the veterinarian. It is better to be safe than sorry. Now that you know what you need to observe let us discuss the possible reasons.

1. Location of the water bowl:

Cat owners often report that this peculiar habit depends on the location of the water bowl. You have probably kept the water bowl in an open and airy section of your house, and your cat loves to stay there.

One straightforward method to determine whether this is the reason or not is by shifting the water bowl to any other location in the house.

If the cat still prefers to stay near the water bowl, you need to consider other possibilities.

 

Experts suggest that you should keep the water bowl at a sunny and open corner of the house so that the cat feels comfortable around it.

2. Dehydration:

This behavior can also mean that the cat is suffering from dehydration. There are a few tests that you can do to confirm your suspicion. The tests are as follows:

  • Pinch the skin between the shoulder blades and let it go. If it goes back to its natural condition quickly, then the cat is healthy.
  • If the cat’s eye looks dull and without proper moisture, the cat is probably suffering from dehydration.
  • Check the gum of the cat to check whether it is less moist and dull in color.

3. Kidney Disease:

This behavior can also be indicative of some underlying ailments. If the cat is hanging its head over the water bowl for a lengthy amount of time, it is probably because your cat is suffering from kidney disease. The other symptoms are as follows:

  • Drinking excessive water
  • Excess urination
  • Bad breath
  • Mouth ulcers
  • Bloody urine
  • Severe weight loss
  • Bacterial infection in the bladder

If you observe any of these symptoms, you should consult a veterinarian as soon as possible. You should be prompt and begin the medication without wasting any time.

4. Diabetes:

If your cat is suffering from obesity and has a high-carbohydrate diet, this behavior can indicate that your cat is suffering from diabetes. You can look out for the following symptoms-

  • Lack of activity
  • Appetite loss
  • Vomiting and lethargic
  • Drinking excessive water
  • More than usual urination

Visiting the veterinary clinic will be the best bet in this case. Diabetic cats need strict diets and potent medication to recover. So, you should start the recovery as quickly as possible.

What to do if the cat keeps lying next to a water bowl?

This situation can be either harmless or indicative of severe ailments. That is why you need to be observant of the cat. You need to do the following things if you see the cat lying next to a water bowl-

Observe the behavior:

One of the most important things that you should do if you see your cat lying next to a water bowl is to observe every behavior of the cat.

You need to check whether it is drinking well, responding to your calls, using the litter box, or reacting to any other distractions as it should.

It is crucial to know whether the cat is suffering from any ailments, and these observations will help you decide that.

Check the water intake:

Another significant observation is the amount of water the cat is in taking. You need to check whether the cat drinks the necessary amount of water or more than the amount.

Observe the water bowl amount at the end of each day to check the intake. If the cat is drinking more than it should (7 to 9 ounces for a 10-pound cat), you should take it to the vet.

Taking the cat to the vet:

If you observe any of the symptoms, which we have mentioned previously, you should go to a veterinarian as soon as possible. You cannot waste any time in this case. An early discovery also means a speedy recovery.

Conclusion:

You should be well aware of the things you should do if you see your cat lie beside a water bowl. It is possible that your cat likes to spend time near the water bowl.

But there is a chance that your cat might be suffering from a severe illness. So, you need to be observant and take care of the situation as urgently as possible.


Related:

  1. What does it mean when cats hang around your house? know the answer
  2. We explained why do cats smack each other: See here
Categories FAQ