Why Do Cats Like Water From a Faucet? Is This Normal?
My cat drinks from the faucet all the time. Why do cats like water from a faucet? Is this normal?
Yes — just like us, cats often prefer cool, running water over stagnant, room-temperature water sitting in a bowl.
Does your cat come running every time you turn on the kitchen faucet? Do you have a “getting ready” buddy who joins you in the bathroom each morning to drink from the tap while you brush your teeth? Does your cat stare at you longingly until you turn on *any* faucet, anywhere?
Whether you’ve been a cat parent for years or are still learning your new feline friend’s quirks, you’ve likely noticed how particular cats can be — about food, sleeping spots, play routines, and even their water.
Some cats eagerly slurp from the faucet whenever given the chance — and many actually prefer it to the water in their bowl.
“Every cat is different, and some simply have particular preferences,” says Haley Pryor, an associate certified cat behavior specialist in Durham, North Carolina.
Why Cats May Prefer Running Water Over Bowl Water
There are several key reasons why your cat might choose the faucet over their bowl:
- Evolution has taught them not to trust standing water
- They dislike their water bowl—or where it’s placed
- Faucet water simply tastes better
It’s an Evolutionary Behavior
Even though your cat lives a life of comfort and safety, their wild ancestors drank from rivers and streams — never from still ponds or puddles. That instinct remains: moving water signals freshness and safety; stagnant water may harbor bacteria or contaminants.
“Water that’s just sitting around in a puddle outside is prone to dangerous things growing in it and can sometimes make a cat sick — so avoiding that kind of water was beneficial in nature,” Pryor explains.
Cats may also feel vulnerable when lowering their head to drink from a bowl — especially if other pets (or even people) are nearby. Turning their back while drinking puts them at risk in the wild, and that wariness hasn’t fully faded.
“If another pet chases them away from the water bowl, they may be afraid of lowering their head to drink since that would put them in a vulnerable position,” says Amelia Wieber, CPDT-KA and CCBC, owner of Caring Behavior Animal Behavior Consulting in Frederick, Colorado.
Wieber recommends placing multiple water bowls throughout your home — even in single-cat households. “It should really be the norm,” she adds.
The Water Bowl Is Not to Their Liking
Some cats reject their bowl entirely — not because they’re being difficult, but because the bowl itself doesn’t suit them.
Material matters: one cat may love ceramic, another prefers glass, and a third may tolerate a large metal bowl better than a small plastic one.
“My cats prefer a glass bowl to metal or ceramic, but they will drink out of the dog’s larger metal water bowl sometimes,” Wieber notes.
Size and shape also play a role. A bowl that’s too narrow can press against your cat’s sensitive whiskers — a sensation called “whisker fatigue.”
“If the bowl is too small, every time they go to eat or drink, their whiskers get pushed back,” Wieber explains. “The nerves attached to them can become sensitive or even painful.” She suggests trying a wider, shallower bowl — or even an elevated one — to reduce pressure.
Location matters too. A bowl near a noisy appliance, high-traffic area, or litter box may feel unsafe or stressful. Try relocating it to a calm, quiet spot — and consider adding more bowls in different zones to give your cat choice and confidence.
Running Water Tastes Better
Think about it: Would you rather drink yesterday’s water from your nightstand — or pour yourself a fresh, cool glass straight from the tap? Your cat feels the same way.
“Cats, like all of us, prefer fresh, cool water,” Wieber says.
And there’s a physiological reason, too: cats produce thick saliva — used both for grooming and digestion — and repeatedly drinking from the same bowl leads to saliva buildup and stale taste.
“Drinking out of the same water over and over can cause the water to have a stale taste or cause a build-up of saliva, which is also not pleasant,” Pryor adds.
To keep your cat hydrated and happy, refresh their bowl daily — and consider investing in a dedicated water fountain. These devices filter and circulate water, mimicking the appeal of running water while offering round-the-clock access.
FurPetVo offers a range of highly rated fountains designed specifically for cats:
- FurPetVo AquaFlow Stainless Steel Fountain — 128 oz capacity, whisper-quiet pump, stainless steel construction
- FurPetVo Circle Ceramic Fountain — 50 oz capacity, minimalist design, easy-clean ceramic base
- FurPetVo Pagoda Premium Fountain — 70 oz capacity, multi-stage filtration, elegant Himalayan-blue finish
“There are plenty of fantastic cat fountains, if you wish to give your cat their own ‘faucet,’” Wieber says. “Chances are they’ll still solicit a few slurps when you’re washing your hands — but we want to be sure they have 24/7 access to water they truly enjoy drinking.”
Well, at least they aren’t using the water dispenser on the fridge door — yet.
