The Cat Water Bowl Mistake You're Probably Making

Why You Shouldn't Put Your Cat's Water Next to Its Food Many cat owners unknowingly make a common mistake: placing their cat's water bowl right next to its food bowl. This seemingly harmless act can actually deter your feline friend from drinking enough water, leading to potential health problems. According to a UK-registered Clinical Cat Behaviourist, this is due to a survival instinct. Cats in the wild avoid water sources near food because they associate it with the risk of contamination. The presence of food can trigger a cat's innate aversion to drinking nearby, even in a domesticated environment. "Cats aren't programmed to drink a lot of water," explains the behaviorist in a recent video. "Every little drop counts, and they'll avoid water near food because they associate it with contamination." This instinct is deeply ingrained, even in well-cared-for house cats. The behaviorist suggests keeping water bowls in separate locations to encourage adequate hydration. By understanding this primal instinct, cat owners can make simple changes to improve their cat's health and well-being. Separating food and water sources is a small step that can make a big difference in ensuring your cat stays properly hydrated.