Why do cats like to drink warm water?
Winter brings a few challenges for cats. In a cold stretch they may turn sluggish, eat less, and lose interest in drinking. A lot of cat owners land on the same idea: offer warm water instead. But do cats actually prefer it?
Before answering that, it helps to look at the reasons a cat might.
They are cold
Much as people reach for a hot drink in winter to warm up, a cold cat may want warm water. When a cat is cold, offering warm water answers a physical need. Just be careful the water is not too hot, so there is no risk of burns. Warm, not hot, is the target. Test it on the inside of your wrist to be sure.
It tastes cleaner
If a cat's water bowl is rarely washed, a slick film called biofilm forms on the surface and bacteria grow in it. A fastidious cat wants nothing to do with water like that. Freshly poured warm water reads as clean, and a cat is more willing to drink it.
A memory of warmth
Kittens have strong memories, particularly of the temperature of their mother's milk. When the weather turns cold, warm water may call that back, which is one reason they gravitate to it. There is no firm research showing that adult cats remember the temperature of their mother's milk, but some cats may carry an instinctive association that shows up as a preference for warm water.
Watch how your own cat drinks
Depending on your cat's digestion and drinking habits, warm water is worth trying. Drinking warm water can reduce the chance of loose stools in winter. Some cats who normally ignore their water bowl take to drinking after being offered it warm.
Every cat has its own preferences, though. Some prefer room temperature, and some want cold water in summer. So watch how your own cat drinks, and keep them well hydrated through the seasons, which supports their health and energy. Warm or room temperature, either is a way of looking after your cat, and of helping them enjoy winter in good health.
