I have 2 cats that are the same age, 1 male and 1 female. The male started playing in the water dish recently and splashing all of the water out of it. He "taught" the female how to do this and now every time I fill the water dish they come running to splash all the water out. I have tried different dishes and cleaned them. Anyone have any ideas as to what is causing this and how to stop it?
THANKS!!!!
Cat plays in Water dish
Re: Cat plays in Water dish
Hee hee... what is causing this? Probably just the natural brattiness of cats 
... Although seriously, apparently what caused my son's cat to do this was a combination of brattiness and that she didn't like the filtered/softened water in the house he bought recently. He found the cat definitely prefers plain tap water, but by then Felicity had rediscovered what fun it was to play in her water dish.
This was my suggestion, which seems to have solved the problem: A plastic bottle-in-bowl "fountain" from PetSmart, set inside a 16 inch plastic serving tray with a 2-to-3 inches deep rim or lip. The water feeder is available in several sizes - I think the one I gave son is the small or medium. The trays are sold in just about every super market here in New Orleans (since they are primarily used for boiled seafood) and they come in various colors. I put them under my dog's water bowls too, as well as under the cat's food dish. If such trays are not available where you live, try a large, disposable aluminum lasagna or roasting pan. The idea is to fill the water feeder, place it in the tray, and then leave it alone: spilled water will collect in the tray, and kitties will soon learn that splashing the water does not empty the bowl, but DOES result in wet feet... Voila! Instant behavior modification! At least in Felicikitty's case...
Good luck!
... Although seriously, apparently what caused my son's cat to do this was a combination of brattiness and that she didn't like the filtered/softened water in the house he bought recently. He found the cat definitely prefers plain tap water, but by then Felicity had rediscovered what fun it was to play in her water dish.This was my suggestion, which seems to have solved the problem: A plastic bottle-in-bowl "fountain" from PetSmart, set inside a 16 inch plastic serving tray with a 2-to-3 inches deep rim or lip. The water feeder is available in several sizes - I think the one I gave son is the small or medium. The trays are sold in just about every super market here in New Orleans (since they are primarily used for boiled seafood) and they come in various colors. I put them under my dog's water bowls too, as well as under the cat's food dish. If such trays are not available where you live, try a large, disposable aluminum lasagna or roasting pan. The idea is to fill the water feeder, place it in the tray, and then leave it alone: spilled water will collect in the tray, and kitties will soon learn that splashing the water does not empty the bowl, but DOES result in wet feet... Voila! Instant behavior modification! At least in Felicikitty's case...
Good luck!Re: Cat plays in Water dish
Now for the bad news...
My cats love water, they will get in the shower and play all day if I let them. I have started running a little water in the tub for them to play in since the water bowl incidents started, and they love that too. They are nuts!
So what I'm thinking is, trying to get them to stop playing by getting their feet wet isnt going to work, and all im going to end up with is a full pan of water, which will turn into a floor full of water. I suppose its worth a try...
Otherwise I was thinking of just moving thier water dish into the bath tub in the spare bathroom, that way they can splash all they want and the water will just go down the drain.
Any other advice would be appreciated.
THanks!
My cats love water, they will get in the shower and play all day if I let them. I have started running a little water in the tub for them to play in since the water bowl incidents started, and they love that too. They are nuts!
So what I'm thinking is, trying to get them to stop playing by getting their feet wet isnt going to work, and all im going to end up with is a full pan of water, which will turn into a floor full of water. I suppose its worth a try...
Otherwise I was thinking of just moving thier water dish into the bath tub in the spare bathroom, that way they can splash all they want and the water will just go down the drain.
Any other advice would be appreciated.
THanks!