Why Won’t My Cat Drink Water? Tips to Keep Cats Hydrated

Cats are notorious for drinking less water than they should. It’s not just quirky behaviour — low hydration is one of the most common causes of health problems in cats, from urinary issues to kidney strain. So, why do cats often ignore their water bowls… and how can you help?

Why Cats Avoid Their Water

Instinct – in the wild, food near water signals contamination, so cats naturally avoid drinking next to food.

Bowl placement – if water sits beside food or the litter tray, many cats won’t touch it.

Bowl type – plastic bowls can hold odours and bacteria. Narrow bowls can press on sensitive whiskers.

Freshness – stagnant water is unappealing to cats with keen senses.

How to Encourage Hydration

Place water in a separate location from food.

Use raised ceramic, wide bowls – hygienic, durable, stain-resistant, comfortable, supports good posture and whisker-friendly.

Keep water fresh – change daily and clean thoroughly.

Offer multiple bowls if you have a larger home or more than one cat.

The Takeaway

If your cat isn’t drinking enough, it may not be the water… it could be the bowl or where you’ve put it. Our collections SeaBowl, FishBowl, MogBowl, and WaterColourBowl are designed to encourage hydration with wide, raised ceramic bowls that cats actually want to drink from.