Cats are creatures of habit and often don’t like change. They are famous for sticking to schedules day in and day out.
Additionally, felines are extremely clean. They are particular about the hygiene of their water bowls and litter boxes.
So, if your cat stops peeing in the litterbox and starts peeing in the water bowl, something is definitely wrong.
The behavior is a real cause of concern for both novice and experienced cat owners. The first thing that comes to mind is that their pets are ailing from some kind of medical problem.
While that is a possibility, it is not the only one. There are several causes that can trigger your beloved feline friend to pee in his water bowl.
In this blog post, we will discuss the possible reasons why your cat is peeing in his water bowl and what you can do to fix the problem.
Why Cats May Pee In Their Water Bowl
Here are some of the important reasons why your kitty may pee in his water bowl.
A. Bad Tasting Water
One possible reason why your cat is peeing in his water bowl is that he does not like the taste of the water. This is especially common if you have hard water.
Hard water can have some sort of taste and smell that can be irritating to some cats.
If this is the case, try switching to a different type of water, such as filtered or distilled water.
You can also add a little bit of salt to the water to make it more palatable for your cat.
B. Sudden Change
As we alluded to before, cats are creatures of comfort and sudden change can easily stress them.
If you’ve recently switched your cat’s food, water bowl, or litter box brand, it could be the reason why they’re peeing in their water bowl.
Moving to a new house or the addition of a new pet can also be stressful for cats and may cause them to start urinating outside the litter box.
Related Post: How to Get Cat to Use Litter Box in New House (12+Tips)
C. Inadequate Space in the Litter Box
They may be small in size but cats prefer eliminating in spacious litter boxes. They should be able to move around with ease in there.
If your cat’s litter box is not spacious enough, they may start peeing in other places, like their water bowl.
The litter box should be big enough for your cat to move around comfortably.
Additionally, it’s a good idea to have more than one litterbox per cat. A good rule of thumb is to have an extra litter box per cat.
D. Medical Conditions
Urinary tract infections, feline lower urinary tract disease, and diabetes are all possible medical conditions that can cause your cat to urinate outside the litter box.
If your cat is urinating in their water bowl, it’s important to take them to the vet to rule out any health problems. This is especially true if the pet is showing symptoms of sickness.
Do not take any chances as some of these medical conditions are fatal.
E. Allergies
Allergies can also cause your cat to urinate in their water bowl. If your cat is allergic to something in their food or environment, they may start urinating outside the litter box.
Sometimes, a new product can cause an allergic reaction or upset stomach in cats.
If you think your cat may have allergies, talk to your vet about possible treatment options.
F. Stress
Stress can cause a number of problems in cats, including urinating outside the litter box.
If your cat is stressed, they may start urinating in their water bowl as a way to relieve themselves.
Common causes of stress in cats include changes in the home, such as a new pet or baby, and changes in their routine.
Diseases can also stress your kitty to the point of making her pee in the wrong place.
G. Dirty litterbox
Another possibility is that your cat’s litter box is not clean enough.
Cats are very clean creatures and they will often avoid using a litter box if it’s dirty.
Be sure to scoop out the litter box daily and change the litter completely every week.
If your cat still refuses to use the litter box, you may need to get a new one.
F. Aggression from Other Cats
Wild cats are known to pee in the water near where they live as a way of concealing their urine smell.
This is usually an adaptation to hide from predators or other aggressive cats.
If your cat experiences aggression from another cat, there is a chance that he will try using this technique of peeing in water to conceal the smell.
How to Correct the Behavior
If your cat is urinating in his water bowl, there are a few things you can do to correct the behavior.
The first is to make sure that the litterbox is clean. A dirty litterbox can be unappealing to a cat and may cause them to avoid using it.
Clean the box frequently and make sure to rid it of any smells whatsoever.
Secondly, you’ll want to provide your cat with multiple water sources. This will give them the opportunity to choose where they drink from and may make them less likely to urinate in their water bowl.
Finally, you can try using a cat fountain which will provide your cat with moving water and may be more appealing to them than a still water bowl.
You may also want to ensure your cat is not under any form of stress from another aggressive pet or a recent move to a new home.
If your cat is under stress, this can be a trigger for inappropriate urination. By providing them with a safe and calm environment, you can help to reduce their stress levels.
If you have tried all of these things and your cat still insists on peeing in his water bowl, it’s time to take him to the vet.
There could be a medical reason why he’s doing this, such as a urinary tract infection or kidney disease.
Only a professional can diagnose and treat these problems, so don’t hesitate to make an appointment with your vet.
Related Post: How to Attract Cat to Litter Box (10 Sure-Fire Strategies)
Do Cats Pee In The Water Bowl When Mad?
Cats can hold grudges, and if you’ve done something to upset them, they may take it out by urinating on your belongings.
However, there are other potential reasons why your cat might be peeing in water bowls.
If you think your cat is mad at you, try to figure out what you did wrong and apologize.
You may also want to try giving them a small treat or toy to show that you’re sorry.
If the problem persists, it’s best to consult with a veterinarian or animal behaviorist to see if there’s anything else going on.
Parting Thoughts
No one enjoys having to clean up their cat’s water bowl laced with the pet’s urine.
Most importantly, the behavior is an indication that something is awfully wrong with the kitty.
We have suggested possible reasons in this guide. Find out what the issue is and do what you can to eliminate it.
If nothing works, do not hesitate to call your vet.
Hi! I am Eleanor Price. I started this website after my cat, Louie, almost died from a case of botulism (a type of food poisoning often caused by bacteria that grow on food items). Turned out that my cat’s diet was the problem. I have made it my duty to provide the best information and recommendations about everything cat lovers need to know about their felines’ health and wellbeing. My goal is to find the most informative content on anything feline-related and share it with fellow hardworking kitty lovers.