Why cats prefer running water
Have you noticed that your cat is unusually interested in moving water? Or found her sitting beside the faucet, trying to catch the drops as they fall? If so, you are far from the only one. The behavior is common among cats, and the reasons behind it go deeper than they look.
Most cats prefer to drink moving water rather than still water. The preference likely comes from instinct: in the wild, running water is generally cleaner and less likely to be contaminated. It traces back to cats' ancestors, since wild cats typically drank from flowing sources.
Hunting instinct
Cats descend from wild hunters that had to catch prey, sometimes in water, to survive. That leaves cats naturally curious about moving water: a flow can read as potential prey and trigger the hunting instinct. You see it when a cat bats at a stream with a paw, or tries to grab something in the water.
Visibility
Moving water is easier for a cat to see than still water. Cats are visual animals, drawn to visual stimulus, and flowing water glints and reflects light, which makes it easier to notice. That alone makes a moving stream more interesting than a still bowl.
Sound
Running water usually makes noise, and that gets a cat's attention. Cats hear well, and the sound of flowing water invites them to investigate the source. It is part of why a cat will sit next to a faucet: turning it on makes a sound.
Giving a cat moving water, from a fountain for example, encourages her to drink more. That helps with daily hydration and can reduce the risk of health problems such as kidney disease. If your cat clearly prefers water from a fountain, that is a simple preference worth accommodating. Understanding why makes it easier to look after a cat well and keep her healthy and happy.
